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Yusra Farzan
What I cover
I report on issues affecting students (prospective and current), their families and communities. Some big questions I am pondering on this beat: who are higher education institutions set up to serve? Who determines who has access to these institutions? How is changing technology affecting higher education? Is access to higher education a ticket to a different trajectory in life?
My background
I didn’t think about university up until I graduated high school. Neither of my grandparents nor parents had completed college. We were residents in the UAE and that residency was dependent on my dad holding down his job. A college degree was a nice to have, not a need to have in my family. And it was only thanks to a combination of luck (Sri Lanka’s civil war ended), grit (I balanced 3 freelance jobs and a paid internship) and sheer determination (I dodged countless marriage proposals) that I graduated with a degree.
And it’s these forces that led me to complete my master’s in race and social justice reporting from USC almost a decade later. (Add a 2-year-old to the mix and grieving the sudden death of my mother.)
I previously covered Orange County for LAist.
My goals
I want to find what works and expose what doesn't, and help students and their families find solutions to their problems.
Best way to reach me
Covering Southern California’s universities and community colleges can be a lot, so I need your help in being my eyes and ears on the ground. If you have a tip, you can email me at yfarzan@laist.com or on Signal at username: @yusramf.25
Stories by Yusra Farzan
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The hikes will fund city energy projects.
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Khashoggi was a dissident of the Saudi government.
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The owners have 30 days to pay back due rent.
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On Wednesday, Metro encourages the use of public transportation on Clean Air Day.
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Feinstein was instrumental in passing legislation to establish Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley National Park, and the Mojave National Preserve.
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Much of the reaction on social media focused on her trailblazing career.
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Writers are calling the provisions a big win.
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L.A. County Library launches a digital card for teenagers to access banned titles.
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The coastal area affected extends from Palos Verdes Peninsula to Huntington Beach.
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Union members said consumers will feel the pinch with rising repair costs.
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The Malibu City Council granted an appeal after an earlier decision put the event in danger.
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Actor and comedian Drew Carey picks up the tab for striking writers.
