Zach Schermele is a reporter on USA TODAY's education team. He covers national news about higher education and K-12 schools, federal education policy and how the U.S. Department of Education's decision-making affects students and staff across the country. He routinely writes about college access and affordability and frequently covers breaking news and general assignment stories. He joined the newsroom after reporting stints at POLITICO, NBC News and The Chronicle of Higher Education. He also previously worked as a general assignment reporter for the Montana Television Network. He graduated with a degree in political science from Columbia University, where he was an award-winning editor at the Columbia Daily Spectator.