News Releases

Leah Becerra

Leah Becerra joins RJI as product director for DODS initiative

By Austin Fitzgerald Under Becerra’s stewardship, the DODS Learning Center will make digital training resources more accessible to publishers Leah Becerra, formerly the senior digital editor at the Boston Globe, has joined the Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) as the product director for the Digital on Demand Services (DODS) startup. In this role, Becerra will oversee … Continued

Paige Hansen on the set of Shark Tank

Mizzou alumna and former television reporter to appear on ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’

Tomorrow, March 21, Paige Hansen will pitch her plant-based milk startup to the “sharks” during an episode of the business-themed reality television show By Sara Diedrich  Contact: Sara Diedrich, 573-882-6217, diedrichs@missouri.edu   Paige Hansen, BJ ’10, has always had an entrepreneurial spirit — even if she didn’t call it that at first. From running lemonade stands … Continued

Student in the Missouri Statehouse legislative chamber

Statehouse Reporting Project, led by Missouri School of Journalism, launches with $250,000+ grant from Arnold Ventures

By Austin FitzgeraldPhotos by Nate Brown COLUMBIA, Mo. (March 10, 2025) — The Missouri School of Journalism is leading an effort with newsrooms at colleges and universities all over the country to create more informed, collaborative coverage of state governments. Launched with the help of a grant for more than $250,000 from philanthropic organization Arnold … Continued

(L-R) Dennis Dodd, Jane Gordon, Greg Henry, Tom Shatel. At graduation, May 10, 1980.

Dennis Dodd, BJ ’80, retires after four decades of sports reporting

(L-R) Dennis Dodd, Jane Gordon, Greg Henry and Tom Shatel at graduation, May 10, 1980. By Austin Fitzgerald Dennis Dodd, BJ ’80, who has covered college and professional sports at CBS Sports for decades, announced his retirement today. Dodd’s remarkably consistent career has seen him cover sports for more than 40 years, and he has … Continued

Piper Molins

Missouri Method paves way for Mizzou senior Piper Molins, named AAF Top Multicultural Student

By Caleb McDairmant Missouri School of Journalism senior Piper Molins has been named one of the American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) Top 50 Most Promising Multicultural Students. She will travel to New York City for a week-long professional development seminar featuring a student pitch competition, agency visits and networking with top advertisers, media companies and agencies. … Continued

Reporters in an audience taking notes

Mizzou study finds ‘volunteer journalism’ filling local news gap

Research from the Missouri School of Journalism suggests volunteer journalists could bridge the gap created by declining news outlets By Sara Diedrich March 4, 2025Contact: Sara Diedrich, diedrichs@missouri.edu A new study from the University of Missouri School of Journalism introduces “volunteer journalism” as a promising solution to bridge the news and information gap in communities. … Continued

Amy Simons

Amy Simons wins Kemper Award, Mizzou’s highest teaching honor

By Austin FitzgeraldPhoto by Nate Brown COLUMBIA, Mo. (March 4, 2025) — Professor Amy Simons at the Missouri School Journalism has received the William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence, Mizzou’s highest faculty teaching award. The award, which honors five excellent teachers at the university each year, comes with a $15,000 prize. Simons, a member … Continued