Missouri School of Journalism celebrates promotions, new staff and professional development
COLUMBIA, Mo. (July 18, 2024) — Ten Missouri School of Journalism faculty members have received promotions, which will take effect Sept. 1, and five have earned spots in esteemed career development programs. In addition, several new staff — all of whom are alums of the School of Journalism — have joined the School alongside the new faculty announced recently.
David Kurpius, dean of the School, said these developments highlight the accomplishments and ever-greater potential of world-class faculty and students.
“Whether it’s research or guiding students through on-the-job learning and helping deliver meaningful reporting to our community, the School’s faculty and staff are ahead of the curve,” Kurpius said. “I can’t wait to see them continue to excel.”
Eight faculty have been promoted to the rank of professor, non-tenure track:
- Brad Best
- Frank Corridori
- Jamie Flink
- Jim Flink
- Elizabeth Frogge
- Sara Shipley Hiles
- Jeimmie Nevalga
- Randy Reeves
Furthermore, Amanda Hinnant has been promoted to professor, with tenure, while Kathryn Lucchesi has been promoted to Associate Professor, non-tenure track.
Faculty Fellowships Boost Development
Promotions, of course, are not the only means by which faculty are advancing their careers. Five have earned places in competitive, university-wide fellowship programs designed to help them further their research and other academic skills. The programs are administered by the MU Provost’s Office, with the Arts & Humanities Research and Creative Works Fellows Program jointly administered by the Division of Research, Innovation & Impact.
Associate Professor Sungkyoung Lee, fresh off her completion of the 2022-2024 Mid-Career Research Development Fellows Program, will take part in the Arts & Humanities Research and Creative Works Fellows Program. Through support and mentorship for early and mid-career faculty, the program helps participants reach research goals and refine their writing process. Up to $12,500 is provided to assist with research projects.
Lucchesi, who helped students learn about global media during a European tour last winter, has been accepted into the 2024-2026 Mid-Career Development Fellows Program. Intended to help faculty at the midpoint of their careers create a research plan and develop stronger institutional knowledge and connections, the program provides a variety of discussions and resources along with $3,000 to support search.
Assistant Professor Jeannette Porter, who also participated in the European tour alongside Lucchesi and recently completed the 2022-2024 Early Career Research Development Fellows Program, has been accepted into the 2024-2025 Provost Leadership Program. The program aims to help Mizzou academic leaders further grow their leadership skills through a customized, collaborative curriculum.
Assistant Professor Kathleen Rose, who last year led the School of Journalism’s groundbreaking report on the attitudes and environmental awareness of people living in the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, will join the LEAP Fellows Program for 2024-2026. The program will feature workshops, peer discussions and other sessions.
Associate Professor Elizabeth Stephens joins Porter in the 2024-2025 Provost Leadership Program. Under Stephens’ leadership, the Columbia Missourian — the Missouri News Network’s community newspaper — won a $20,000 grant from Local Independent Online News Publishers’ Sustainability Audits and Funding Program, allowing the newspaper to strengthen its community outreach efforts.
Missouri News Network welcomes new staff
Finally, three new staff members recently joined the Missouri News Network — though, as alums, they won’t quite be new to the School.
Kelly Dereuck, BJ ’22, MA ’23, has returned after serving as a statehouse reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Dereuck, who covered government and health care news at the Missouri Business Alert while earning her degrees at the School of Journalism, is now a senior business editor at the publication.
Harshawn Ratanpal, BJ ’24, as a reporter for Report for America, is now covering environmental issues for KBIA and the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk. Most recently, Ratanpal completed an internship at OpenSecrets reporting on politics and campaign finance news.
Finally, Jana Rose Schleis, MA ’23, is NPR-member station KBIA-FM’s newest news producer. Schleis worked as a reporter and morning anchor at the station during graduate school, and she previously worked at Wisconsin Public Radio for five years.
For more news about faculty, staff and students, bookmark https://journalism.missouri.edu/our-stories/latest-news/.
Updated: July 26, 2024