Brandon Jenkins-Haynes leveraged the Missouri Method to hone his skills, craft his beat and prepare for success beyond graduation

Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu

Brandon Jenkins-Haynes will graduate this month from the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism and an impressive portfolio of professional work.

This past summer, Jenkins-Haynes completed the Rick Hummel Internship at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, a prestigious opportunity supported by the St. Louis chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. He first learned about the internship through the Missouri School of Journalism, where he also met Derrick Goold — the Post-Dispatch’s lead Cardinals baseball reporter — during a sports journalism class. Inspired by what he heard, Jenkins-Haynes applied to the competitive position and was selected.

Over the course of the summer, he wrote more than 50 stories for the newspaper, covering high school, college and professional sports.

“To me, the opportunity represented a dream come true as a native St. Louisan who dreamt of seeing my byline in the Post-Dispatch,” he said. “The experience taught me to craft my beat, be versatile and maximize my opportunities. Almost as importantly, it introduced me to some of the best writers in the region and nation who showed an up-and-comer like me how to handle a competitive beat successfully.”

Jenkins-Haynes also honed his skills as a reporter and sports editor for both The Maneater and Columbia Missourian, taking advantage of the Missouri Method, Mizzou’s philosophy of learning by doing.

Read on for a Q&A with Jenkins-Haynes about his Mizzou experience.

How did you take advantage of hands-on learning opportunities on campus?

The Missouri Method is no joke. I embraced the hands-on learning opportunities on campus, starting with Mizzou’s student newspaper, The Maneater, and continuing through my time with the Columbia Missourian. I began as a volleyball reporter for The Maneater as a freshman in fall 2021 before rising up the ranks to become one of the newspaper’s sports editors the following spring. After spending time with The Maneater and Rock M Nation (a Mizzou fan site) and completing an internship with my hometown newspaper (Leader Publications), I reached the Columbia Missourian in spring 2023. I started out reporting on Father Tolton High School athletics that spring, quickly becoming a go-to voice for that community. Then, I received the opportunity to cover Mizzou football’s 11-win season in the fall, traveling to road contests and discovering what it means to work on a beat with a team. For me, the opportunities to report on Tolton and Mizzou football represent what makes the School of Journalism special. I’m not sure how many universities throughout the nation could provide anywhere near the experience that Mizzou does. It’s difficult work at times, but it is worth every minute; it’s why I came to Mizzou. After reporting for two semesters, I transitioned into an assistant sports editor role with the Columbia Missourian, starting this past January. In this role, I’ve had the opportunity to work with and make a positive impact on beginning reporters. I added on the responsibility of Tiger Kickoff Editor in August, editing stories for the current Mizzou football reporters. The hands-on learning opportunities on campus provided me with the skills I need to be a successful journalist. 

How has Mizzou helped you achieve your goals?

Through my experiences at Mizzou, I’ve learned how to excel as a communicator, reporter and person. Entering my freshman year, I did not have many individual goals set for myself other than to enjoy the college experience and make it one that I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I’ve done just that, making countless memories through my experiences reporting as well as my time working with the sports and competition department at MizzouRec. In both roles, I’ve strived to make a positive impact while leaving a meaningful mark. I’ve always wanted to be a leader in whatever I do, and Mizzou provided the foundation for me to do that. 

Additionally, I had support and mentorship from Columbia Missourian sports editor Pete Bland and assistant sports editor Adam Feiner, as well as Karen Steger, assistant to the associate dean for undergraduate studies, Connor VavOverberghe, MizzouRec Sports and Competition coordinator, and others. These individuals, alongside my loving family, made my experience at Mizzou truly special, and I am thankful for the guidance they provided me throughout my time as a Tiger.

What’s next for you?

I am currently in the process of searching for a reporting or editing position. I’d like to find a newsroom where I can make a positive impact and develop into a stronger journalist as a whole. Outside of the post-college job search, I am getting married to my high school sweetheart, Savannah Bandy, in June, so I am very excited about what this next year will bring. 

What’s your favorite Mizzou memory?

To me, it’s difficult to pick a favorite Mizzou memory. I’ve had several moments that could constitute that designation, but I will say that reporting on the Cotton Bowl is something that’ll stick with me for a very long time. It’s little secret that last season’s Cotton Bowl victory capped one of Mizzou’s greatest football seasons in program history. The opportunity to report on that team and then make the trek to Dallas alongside my fellow beat reporters — Wendell Shepherd and Adam Ryerson — made it all the more special. I’ll always remember walking onto the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with colorful confetti raining down on me. I’ll remember the postgame interviews. I’ll remember the pride I felt filing that story. The Cotton Bowl represented more than just a win, and the ability to be a part of that atmosphere is something I won’t ever forget.

Why are you proud to be a Tiger? 

As an in-state student who ventured from Seckman High School in Imperial, Missouri, to Mizzou, I have pride in knowing that I am representing my home state in whatever I do. Beyond that, I have pride in what “Mizzou” means to so many journalists out there. The “Mizzou mafia” is a real thing, as I have already figured out and will be reminded of many times throughout my career. There’s a certain pedigree that comes with graduating from Mizzou and the best journalism school in the nation. To me, that’s a source of pride because it showcases how even someone like me — who had barely any journalism experience entering college — could leave an impression at a place like Mizzou. Even though I will soon receive my diploma and venture off into the “real world,” I understand that my time as a Missouri Tiger is far from over. I’ll be able to carry that pride with me wherever I go, spreading the influence that Mizzou had on me at every stop along the way. M-I-Z!

Updated: December 12, 2024