About Me

About Lauren

Lauren J. Mapp is an award-winning journalist based in San Diego, currently working as the caregiving, senior care and Indigenous communities reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Mapp was selected by the Columbia Journalism School and Columbia Aging Center as a fellow for the 2021 Age Boom Academy, a conference focused on covering the impacts of social isolation and loneliness on seniors. She served two terms as a board member for the Society of Professional Journalists San Diego chapter, and is a member of the San Diego Association of Black Journalists, San Diego Press Club and the Indigenous Journalists Association. 

Prior to the UT, Mapp worked as an investigative reporting intern at inewsource, contributing editor for Times of San Diego, senior staff writer at The Daily Aztec and editor in chief at The Mesa Press. She has also been published by the North Coast Current and The National University Herald.

Mapp graduated from San Diego State University in May 2019 with a degree in journalism and a minor in American Indian studies. Faculty at the School of Journalism and Media Studies selected her as the Outstanding Graduate to represent the program during the 2019 commencement.

In addition to her bachelor's degree, she has three associate degrees in journalism, political science and culinary arts from San Diego Mesa College, as well as BarSmarts and Certified Beer Server certifications.

Before to moving to San Diego in 2005, she was a part-time staff writer and photographer for Indian Time and The People's Voice, two weekly newspapers in the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) territory of Akwesasne on the border of New York and Quebec. At both papers, she covered the breaking news, the arts, food, music, sports and cultural events.

Growing up in Worcester, Massachusetts made her the avid Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics fan she is today. In her free time, Mapp likes to take dance lessons (primarily East Coast swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa, Bal Swing and ballet), try new restaurants, read, cook and travel.

Her wanderlust has taken her through 20 countries and 34 states, with many more trips left on the bucket list.

Full resume is available online as a PDF, and more information can be found on LinkedIn.

Education

San Diego State University | San Diego, CA (May 2019)

Major: Journalism; Minor: American Indian Studies

Honors: Chosen as the Outstanding Graduate for the School of Journalism and Media Studies

San Diego Mesa College | San Diego, CA (May 2016)

Major: Journalism (A.A., C.A. with High Honors); Culinary Arts/Culinary Management (A.S., C.A. with Honors) and Political Science (A.A.)

Burncoat Senior High School | Worcester, MA (May 2003)
Studied theater at a public high school specializing in performing arts

Accolades

2024

Second place, Print / Online – Best Sports Story

For Indigenous men playing in world championship this week, lacrosse isn’t just a sport. It’s medicine.

Indigenous Journalists Association

Honorable Mention, Print / Online – Excellence in Beat Reporting

Lauren J. Mapp - Indigenous communities in San Diego County, The San Diego Union-Tribune

Indigenous Journalists Association

First place, Digital — Blog

Off the Mapp Food, Beverage and Travel Blog

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

What the judges said: This story had so much rich detail. It really explained its subject well, with a ton of beautiful context. It was an informative and interesting read!

First place, Daily Reporting and Writing — Food Story

Apple picking season on track for success in Julian, even in Hilary’s aftermath

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

What the judges said: Well done, very descriptive which left me wanting more and wanting to visit and taste.

Second place, Daily Reporting and Writing — Breaking News Story

Man trapped for possibly days in Sunset Cliffs crevasse freed after 19-hour rescue

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third place, Daily Reporting and Writing — Health Story

Parents dream of a cure for Sanfilippo syndrome, a childhood dementia that comes with a ‘death sentence’

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third place, Daily Reporting and Writing — Multicultural Story

For Indigenous men playing in world championship this week, lacrosse isn’t just a sport. It’s medicine.

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third place, Daily Reporting and Writing — Housing Insecurity Story

San Diego County is the nation’s second-most expensive metro area. What does that mean for seniors?

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

2023

Fourth Place, Magazines: Food

Ease Into Fall With These Tea Party-Themed Cocktails

San Diego Press Club

Second Place, Online and Daily newspapers: Health & Medicine
Chula Vista mother fought to get her 'little warrior's' rare disease diagnosis

confirmed

San Diego Press Club

First Place, Daily Reporting and Writing — Health Story

Chula Vista mother fought to get her ‘little warrior’s’ rare disease diagnosis

confirmed

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

First Place, Daily Reporting and Writing — Multicultural Story

As part of cultural revitalization, Kumeyaay community celebrates launch of 50

tule boats

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third Place, Daily Reporting and Writing — Multicultural Story

Kumeyaay tribal members want tipis at Lake Cuyamaca campground removed

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

First Place, Daily Reporting and Writing — Politics/Election Story

‘We have every right to be cautious’: How Propositions 26 and 27 could transform

tribal gaming

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Second Place, Daily Reporting and Writing — Politics/Election Story

Voting in Indian Country: Local effort aims to get more Native Americans

registered

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

First Place, Digital — Blog

Off the Mapp Food, Beverage and Travel Blog

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Second Place, Digital — Social Media Account

@SDRedSoxGirl on Instagram

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

2022

Honorable Mention, Online and Daily newspapers: General News

Clairemont seniors miss having a center of their own; they may soon get one

San Diego Press Club

Second Place, Online and Daily newspapers: Multicultural

Why are San Diego's Black and Native American communities less vaccinated? It's about trust

San Diego Press Club

Second Place, Online and Daily newspapers: Reviews: Restaurant

A good dining experience in San Diego doesn't need to break the bank

San Diego Press Club

Third Place, Online and Daily newspapers: Reviews: Restaurant

Cali burrito Wrap-Up: Cruising through San Diego in search of the perfect California burrito

San Diego Press Club

Honorable Mention, Online and Daily newspapers: Travel - Domestic

Endor park ranger reporting for duty: My first adventure in the Redwood

National Park

San Diego Press Club

Third Place, Online and Daily newspapers: Travel - International

Oscillating on a rickety train to visit the Sedlec Ossuary outside Prague

San Diego Press Club

Second Place, Websites: Blog - Topic Based

Off the Mapp Food, Beverage and Travel Blog

San Diego Press Club

Living Longer: The New Age for Aging Journalism 2022 Fellowship selectee

National Press Foundation

First Place, Daily Reporting and Writing Division — Crime/Courts Story

Most police departments in San Diego County are more White than the communities they serve, data show

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third Place, Daily Reporting and Writing Division — Food Story

Blueberry Bliss: One way to beat back the pandemic blues is to whip yourself up a cup or jar of blueberry Dalgona coffee

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Second Place, Daily Reporting and Writing Division — Health Story

You really want to pet the service dog. Here’s why it’s so important not to.

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

First Place, Daily Reporting and Writing Division — News Feature Story

‘It’s been a tough year and a half.’ Nursing home residents, families relish return of visits

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third Place, Daily Reporting and Writing — Review/Criticism

California burrito wrap-up: Cruising through San Diego in search of the perfect California burrito

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Second Place, Digital — Blog

Off the Mapp food, beverage and travel blog

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

2021

2021 Age Boom Academy Fellow

Columbia Aging Center & Columbia Journalism School

Second Place, Online and Daily Newspapers — Multicultural

A year without powwows: A community loses its heartbeat

San Diego Press Club

First Place, Daily Reporting and Writing Division — Food Story
Celebrating Indigenous culture with Haudenosaunee Cornbread
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Second Place, Daily Reporting and Writing Division — Health Story
Coronavirus compounds grief for those in hospice
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Second Place, Digital –– Blog
Off the Mapp food, beverage and travel blog

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

2020

First Place, Daily Reporting and Writing Division — Health Story
The Invisible Illness: Caring for Children with Epilepsy
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

First Place, Digital Division — Blog
Off the Mapp Food, Beverage and Travel Blog
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Second Place, Nondaily Reporting and Writing Division — Food Story
A Good Gut Feeling: Fermentation, Food Are Focus of Encinitas Event
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Second Place, Nondaily Reporting and Writing Division —

Investigative/Enterprise Story (Single Subject)

$44 Million Spent on San Diego Bus Rapid Transit Route That Isn’t Rapid
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Honorable Mention, Online & Daily Newspapers — Multicultural

From a hashtag to a worldwide organization, how Black Lives Matter continues to call for change

San Diego Press Club

At Large: Wildcard: Racial Inequality

San Diego Press Club

2019

First Place, College Print or Online: Investigative
The Culinary Glass Ceiling: Women still lag behind in pay, leadership positions

San Diego Press Club

Third Place,  Blog - Topic Based
Roasters brewing up artisan coffee movement in North County
San Diego Press Club

First Place, Websites: News Site
Times of San Diego

San Diego Press Club

First Place, Nondaily Reporting and Writing, Food story
Roasters brewing up artisan coffee movement in North County
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third Place, College Media, Feature Story
Neon signs shining light for new generation
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Print Scholarship
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Armen E. Keteyian Internship Scholarship for Investigative Reporting
San Diego State University

Spring 2019 Dean's List
PSFA
San Diego State University

Class of 2019 Outstanding Graduate
School of Journalism & Media Studies at San Diego State University

2018

Fall 2018 Dean's List
PSFA
San Diego State University 

Most Valuable Person
Arts & Culture Section
The Daily Aztec

Second Place, Websites, Blog - Topic Based
Off the Mapp Blog
San Diego Press Club

Second Place, College Print, Feature
SDSU alumni pour success into new wine business
San Diego Press Club

$2,500 Joe Lipper Scholarship
San Diego Press Club

Spring 2018 Dean's List
PSFA
San Diego State University

 $1,000 Photography Scholarship
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third Place, College Media
SoCal Bronies gallop to SDSU
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third Place, Digital Blog
Off the Mapp Blog
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third Place, Nondaily Reporting & Writing
Encinitas opting for an electoral divide
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third Place, College Media
Coffee shops in San Diego have grounds to brew popularity
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third Place, College Media
New CSU program automatically substitutes supply orders with sustainable options
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Columbia School of Journalism Fellowship to attend the Investigative Reporters and Editors Conference

San Diego Association of Black Journalists Scholarship

Gertrude Jockusch Endowed Scholarship


2017

Fall 2017 Dean's List
PSFA
San Diego State University

Second Place, Non-Daily Reporting and Writing: Politics and Government Story
Coast not quite clear post-election
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Second Place, Online Blog
Off the Mapp Food and Travel Blog
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

2016

Second Place, Review/Criticism
Truffle Mac, divine views make for perfect afternoon delight
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

Third Place, Review/Criticism
S&M inspires diner's carnivorous dreams
San Diego Society for Professional Journalists

Second Place, Headline
S&M inspires diners' carnivorous dreams
San Diego Society for Professional Journalists

Fourth Place, Critical Review
S&M inspires diner's carnivorous dreams
Journalism Association of Community Colleges

2015-2016 Dean's Honor List
San Diego Mesa College

2013

Third Place, College Media: News
Prop 35 aims to crackdown on sex trafficking in California
San Diego Press Club

Second Place, Critical Review
Journalism Association of Community Colleges (Fall Conference)

Second Place, Critical Review

Journalism Association of Community Colleges (Spring Conference)

Fourth Place, Informational Graphic
California Community College Budget Issues

Journalism Association of Community Colleges (Spring Conference)

2012-2013 Dean's Honor List
San Diego Mesa College

2012

Second Place, Review/Criticism

San Diego Society of Professional Journalists

San Diego Mesa College Hotel/Motel Scholarship for Culinary Arts

San Diego Mesa College Journalism Scholarship

2011

First Place, College Newspaper Restaurant Review

San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards

Second Place, College Newspaper Restaurant Review

San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards

Second Place, Feature Photo

Journalism Association of Community Colleges

2010

San Diego Hotel/Motel Scholarship for Culinary Arts

San Diego Mesa College Associated Students Community Service Scholarship

San Diego Mesa College Associated Student Academic Leadership Award

2009

San Diego Hotel/Motel Scholarship for Culinary Arts

Certifications

Hootsuite Platform Certification | December 2018

Certificate of achievement is available online.

Banjo Basics Certification | December 2018

Certificate of achievement is available online.


Google Analytics for Beginners | November 2018

Certificate of achievement is available online.

Certified Beer Server | November 2017

Certificate of achievement is available online.

BarSmarts | February 2017

Passed the BarSmarts exam on Feb. 5, 2017. BarSmarts tests individuals on the history and production of distilled spirits and cocktails.