Let the first piece of copy you read under my byline be this: thank you for making a space for me in this community. I am so looking forward to getting to know all of you, to learn about all the things that you value, that bring you joy, and make this city unique and vibrant.

My name is Kevin Fitzpatrick and I am the Cranston Herald’s new editor.

This transition has all happened very quickly for everyone involved, but to assure both you the readers and me the editor of my ability to do this job, let’s hear a bit about me and my qualifications.

I am originally from Syracuse, NY, though I’ve been living in Providence for the last two years. My career as an editor began at 14, when I was elected the editor of my high school’s literary magazine.

Following that, I attended college at SUNY Potsdam, where I received a BA in English Writing. While at Potsdam, I worked as editor of the News and College Life sections of our college newspaper, the Racquette.

Following graduation, I worked as a reporter for several news outlets back in my hometown. I wrote for print, digital media, and even public radio for a while.

Then, I attended grad school at the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont, where I received an MFA in cartooning. Yes, you read that correctly. When I’m not editing local news, I am writing and illustrating a graphic novel! I suppose that means I’m just as comfortable in the funny papers as I am on the front page.

Since then, I have worked as a freelance editor in the world of book publishing. It was an exciting and fulfilling career change, but even on this my second day as of writing, I’m finding I’m already excited to be a newsman again.

As a reporter and editor, I’ve always strived first and foremost to put out ethical, relevant stories. I have no intention of compromising my values, and at the same time I will always aim to be open to the perspectives of people whose values differ from my own. I will do my best to cultivate a paper that informs, excites and inspires. To cultivate a paper which encourages us all to see one another in this community and beyond in all the richness of our personhood. To cultivate a paper which holds us all to account and which encourages us all towards the better angels of our nature. I hope you will hold me to those standards in the days to come.