Reynolds Journalism Institute

Rebecca Ritzel, Michael Phillips

‘Critics in Columbia’ pilots alternative to imperfect press junket formula

By Austin Fitzgerald COLUMBIA, Mo. (March 3, 2026) — It seems like a win-win situation: A film festival showcases the latest films. Critics cover the event, writing reviews and drawing attention to a cultural touchstone. Filmmakers, journalists, and the city and organizations hosting the event all harness the buzz to reach their own audiences. But … Continued

Brianna Davis (left) with St. Louis American Digital Director Dawn Suggs.

Potter Digital Ambassadors program expands to five states, helps community news orgs advance digital strategies

Brianna Davis (right) with St. Louis American Digital Director Dawn Suggs. By Austin Fitzgerald As it has each year for nearly a decade, the Reynolds Journalism Institute’s Potter Digital Ambassadors program sent journalism students to community news organizations all over Missouri in January. There, they worked to create or expand on each newsroom’s digital strategies … Continued

Taylor Bowman [left] and Ishrat Madiha

RJI Innovation in Focus students begin nationwide media experiments

Taylor Bowman (left) and Ishrat Madiha By Emily Early COLUMBIA, Mo. (Oct. 24, 2025) — Two Missouri School of Journalism students are starting their semesters with the Reynold Journalism Institute’s Innovation in Focus program, working with organizations across the U.S. to implement new strategies and techniques in journalism. The program revolves around a monthly newsletter … Continued

Neff Hall, Walter Williams Hall and the journalism arch at the Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia, Missouri.

Missouri School of Journalism launches search for transformational Reynolds Chair in Journalism Strategy and Business Operations

By Austin Fitzgerald COLUMBIA, Mo. (June 3, 2025) – The Missouri School of Journalism has launched a national search for the Reynolds Chair in Journalism Strategy and Business Operations. The focus of this endowed chair — unparalleled in higher education — will be to take a lead role in producing collaborative, sustainable business innovation and … Continued

Leah Becerra

Leah Becerra joins RJI as product director for Digital On-Demand Services initiative

By Austin Fitzgerald Under Becerra’s stewardship, the Digital On-Demand Services 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 … Continued

Jessica Beard and Oronde McClain

Documentary seeks to heal rift between public and news industry with trauma-informed approach to gun violence

Jessica Beard and Oronde McClain “The Second Trauma” hopes to bring an end to sensationalized, episodic coverage of America’s signature brand of violent crime By Austin FitzgeraldPhotos by Nate Brown This week, a panel of educators, journalists and experts in public health and trauma visited the Missouri School of Journalism to present “The Second Trauma,” … Continued

Screenshot of South Dakota Public Broadcasting interactive map

RJI student staffer helps public broadcasting network inform voters with interactive map

By Austin Fitzgerald This summer, Missouri School of Journalism graduate student Chioma Obianinwa worked with South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB) to create an interactive map that allows readers to easily find information about candidates in state-level legislative races. Obianinwa completed the project as the student staffer for the Reynolds Journalism Institute’s Innovation Team. The map … Continued

A collage of images from past CPOY competitions behind a "CPOY" title.

CPOY teams up with Reuters to give top college photographer once-in-a-lifetime internship

By Austin Fitzgerald COLUMBIA, Mo. (Aug. 12, 2024) – The Missouri School of Journalism’s College Photographer of the Year (CPOY) competition announces a partnership with Reuters to award a 12-week paid internship to the winner of its premier Portfolio category. “Reuters recognizes the essential role that emerging photographers play in the future of photojournalism and … Continued