"There was an underlying sense that this has the power to make people’s lives better, and I care about that."
Andrew Fan ’09 never set out to be a journalist. Yet in 2021, he and his colleagues at the Invisible Institute won a Pulitzer Prize—the highest honor in journalism—proving that following the data can spark real change. His breakthrough moment came from a seemingly simple observation: the exceptionally low number of police dog bites reported in Chicago compared to hundreds in Indianapolis. His investigative instincts led to a multi-story exposé that uncovered racial disparities in how police dogs were used. The impact was immediate. Within a year of the report’s publication, dog bite incidents in Indianapolis dropped by 90 percent, a direct result of policy changes prompted by the investigation.
Andrew’s curiosity and hunger to impact underserved communities began at Worcester Academy, where he developed a deep appreciation for history and civic engagement. “I have really, really good memories of my teachers, especially in the history department,” he says. “I got an incredibly strong foundation in the way that our institutions are supposed to work.” His four years on the debate team sharpened his ability to analyze and communicate complex issues—skills that would become essential to his career.
After earning degrees in history and political science from the University of Chicago, and later earning a master's degree in public policy at Harvard, Andrew’s path led him to community development banking, where he uncovered stark racial disparities in lending. He transitioned into investigative journalism, using data to tell stories that matter—stories that hold public institutions accountable.
Now serving as interim executive director at the Invisible Institute, Andrew is part of a new wave of journalists reshaping the field. His work isn’t just about reporting facts; it’s about using journalism as a tool for justice. For him, the Academy’s motto, Achieve the Honorable, isn’t just a phrase—it’s a guiding principle.
Andrew’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. This year, he was recognized with Worcester Academy’s Young Alumnus Award, an honor given to graduates who have achieved success in their field or made significant contributions to their communities. His work embodies both.
"When I think about my teacher, it wasn’t just, ‘Oh, I’m excited about the American government,’” he says. “There was an underlying sense that this has the power to make people’s lives better, and I care about that.”
Through his work, Andrew Fan is proving that curiosity, integrity, and a commitment to public service can change the world—one data point at a time.