Alumni

Elizabeth Lucas

Elizabeth Lucas named Missouri School of Journalism’s Houston Harte Chair

By Austin Fitzgerald COLUMBIA, Mo. (July 25, 2024) — The Missouri School of Journalism today announced that Elizabeth Lucas, MA ’10, formerly senior training director for Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), is the new Houston Harte Chair in Journalism. In this role, effective Aug. 1, she will further develop the School’s investigative and data journalism … Continued

Samantha Bireley

From watching games to shaping teams in Major League Baseball

By Caleb McDairmant Missouri journalism alumna Samantha Bireley’s open-minded approach guided her from unexpected roles to a key position with the Tampa Bay Rays. The story of Samantha Bireley’s first World Series appearance goes like this: She was a junior in high school. A friend of Bireley’s father offered them tickets. The girl who grew … Continued

Owen Ziliak

Owen Ziliak, BJ ’24, wins second place at Hearst National Photojournalism Championship

Owen Ziliak photographs a beehive at the REAP Climate Center in Alameda, California, during his Hearst National Photojournalism Championship assignment. By Nate Brown Columbia, Mo. (June 17, 2024) — Recent Missouri School of Journalism graduate Owen Ziliak has won second place in the 2023-2024 Hearst National Photojournalism Championship, which was held June 1-6 in San … Continued

Erika Trombley walks down the halls of the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris

From Mizzou to the White House

Erika Trombley walks down the halls of the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris By Sydney Perry Erika Trombley, director of Consumer Media at the White House, reflects on her journey to her dream position Erika Trombley graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in 2016 and has since found success in … Continued

Ebony Reed

Ebony Reed builds an impressive career of service

Behind the University of Missouri alumna’s success is the school that raised her and the one she keeps returning to Contact: Courtney Perrett, cperrett@missouri.edu Many college graduates dream of changing the world. University of Missouri alumna and former faculty member Ebony Reed is doing it — transforming her aspirations into skills that empower students and … Continued

Jonathan Murray

Jonathan Murray, ‘father of reality television,’ still finding new ways to tell stories half a century into illustrious career

By Austin Fitzgerald When MTV’s “The Real World” featured Pedro Zamora in its third season, the result was a watershed moment. As an openly gay man who was also HIV positive, his presence brought attention to seminal cultural issues, and former president Bill Clinton credited Zamora with putting “a human face” on the AIDS epidemic. … Continued

Carly Stephens

From the stands to the sideline

Alumna Carly Stephens’ journey from covering Mizzou Football to working for the Dallas Cowboys By Sydney Perry Many students at the University of Missouri dream of working in the sports industry. Missouri School of Journalism alumna Carly Stephens made it happen, working for the Dallas Cowboys as a corporate partnerships marketing manager, a position that … Continued

Jenn Ott in Antarctica

From Mizzou to Manhattan: Alumna Jenn Ott’s journey to her dream city and beyond

Jenn Ott standing with a flag in Antarctica, completing her journey of traveling to all seven continents. By Sydney Perry After successfully setting foot in all seven continents and over 50 countries, with no intention of slowing down any time soon, University of Missouri alumna Jenn Ott credits her initial desire and ambition to travel … Continued