Science, Health and Environmental Journalism is a growing organization at Mizzou meant to provide a community and connections for students, staff members and alumni with an interest in recent discoveries in different fields of science and the process of creating news within the science realm.

As the group is growing in numbers and developing various new ideas for expansion during the 2018-19 school-year, we hope to expand our reach beyond students and faculty with interests in science, health and environmental media and news. SHEJ would also like to connect with students who are primarily studying within different categories of science but are interested in learning how to better communicate their scientific findings and processes.

The expansion of our organization is being initiated by the reshaping and developing of SHEJ’s executive team. With the addition of various positions, such as a Social Media Coordinator, a Webmaster, a couple Blog Editors, an Email/Newsletter Coordinator, and an Outreach/Event Coordinator, the organization has already taken big steps to further develop the Science, Health and Environmental Journalism club here at Mizzou. Here is a list of the 2018-19 SHEJ Executive Board Members.

Madelyne Magg, President

Madelyne is a second-year graduate student studying public relations. Her thesis will focus on the communication of climate change research by PR practitioners. She interned as a science writer and editor for Johnson & Johnson this summer.

Cullen Ecoffey, Vice President

Cullen is a junior majoring in strategic communications and political science at the University of Missouri. He aspires to use his skills as a videographer and video editor to produce visual pieces on topics pertaining to science. He spent this summer working as a creative content intern for Sunflower Hill Farms.

Colleen Wouters, Secretary

Colleen is a sophomore and majoring in Magazine Science & Health Writing. She is interested in writing stories about environmental impacts and sustainability. In a quickly changing world, it is important to know how the average person can make a change.

Zia Kelly, Treasurer

Zia is a junior studying Convergence journalism and public health. She aspires to report on health and healthcare issues and is interested in audio storytelling. During her time at the university, she has covered campus politics and administration, as well as produced multiplatform pieces about topics ranging from agriculture pollution regulation to public

Ashton Day, Webmaster

Ashton is a second-year graduate student working toward masters degrees in strategic communication and public health. Ashton uses her love for video storytelling as an executive producer at a health news startup in Columbia. Her passion for health communication stems from a love of the power of social media and the desire to fight misinformation.

Emily Adams, Social Media Coordinator

Emily is a science and agricultural journalism major interested in environmental issues including climate change, healthcare and food insecurity. She plans on using her communication skills and artistic ability to help everyday people relate to the world of science. When she’s not experimenting with the latest social media, marketing and design tools she’s out hiking mid-Missouri trails.

Sara Shipley Hiles, Faculty Advisor

Sara is a former environmental reporter who now specializes in teaching about science, health and environmental journalism. She has been on the Missouri School of Journalism faculty since 2012.