BLOOMINGTON — Indiana University has named Kathleen Johnston the founding director of the Michael I. Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism on the university’s Bloomington campus. Johnston, a 30-year veteran of investigative journalism and a Media School visiting professor of practice, will step into her new role in August.

The Arnolt Center will focus on multimedia investigative reporting information that is pertinent to residents of Indiana at a local and national level. The university says the center’s work will be available at no cost to news outlets and will work to supplement reporting in light of recent cuts to newsroom staff around the state.

Johnston will also teach courses following an investigative journalism curriculum. Her role will include establishing partnerships with other media organizations and developing additional funding streams to grow and develop the center.

“I am thrilled to return to IU and help the investigative reporting center achieve its mission of providing provocative, original journalism for the public in Indiana and beyond,” Johnston said in a news release.

Michael Arnolt, the namesake of the investigative journalism center and the man who funded it, grew up in Leesburg and was a 1962 Leesburg High School graduate.