Missouri School of Journalism

08/31/2026

Filmmaker-in-Chief Robert Greene will premiere his new documentary, “Too Much Sugar,” at the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 3. He integrated the documentary’s production into the curriculum at the J-School’s Murray Center for Documentary Journalism, engaging students across three graduating classes in key production roles.

Shooting a scene on the set of “Too Much Sugar.” Courtsy of Hannah Schuh. By Austin Fitzgerald COLUMBIA, Mo. (Aug. 28, 2026) — Robert Greene, Filmmaker-in-Chief at the Murray Center for Documentary…

08/28/2026

The J-School held its Welcome Back Social for faculty and staff Friday morning in the Palmer Room. Dean David Kurpius introduced new colleagues, everyone gathered for group photos, and attendees updated their professional headshots with Annika Miller from SilverBox Photographers.

08/27/2026

Sebastián Martínez Valdivia, BJ ’13, MA ’17, has been named the executive director of the Murray Center for Documentary Journalism. He'll now lead the Missouri School of Journalism’s documentary program after nearly four years as its supervising producer.

Martínez will be the first to hold a director position at the center since founding director Stacey Woelfel, who retired in 2021 after 35 years at the J-School.

Read on to learn more about Martínez and his work at the Murray Center.

By Austin Fitzgerald COLUMBIA, Mo. (Aug. 26, 2026) — Sebastián Martínez Valdivia has been named the executive director of the Murray Center for Documentary Journalism. He will now lead the Missouri…

08/26/2026

J-School Professor Amy Simons, who’s also an affiliate faculty member in the Mizzou Honors College, moderated Sunday’s conversation with Sola Mahfouz, co-author of this year’s One Read book, "Defiant Dreams: The Journey of an Afghan Girl Who Risked Everything fo Education."

08/26/2026

Summer looks different for every J-School Tiger, whether they're studying abroad, traveling or returning home. Many students use these months to dive into hands-on internships across diverse fields like photojournalism, graphic design and communications.

“The Missouri Method of hands-on learning doesn’t stop when the semester ends,” said Dean David Kurpius. “It’s great to see students taking advantage of summer internships to gather even more real-world experience all over the country.”

Here's how Kriti Dhaduvai, Caspar Dowdy, Ella Menzel, Daniel Murphy, Kyra Michelson and Lorelai Skurzewski spent the summer as professional interns. Story by Emily Early.

By Emily Early COLUMBIA, Mo. (Aug. 25, 2026) — Summer looks different for every student at the Missouri School of Journalism. Some study abroad, some return home, some travel and some work.

08/25/2026

New faculty members at Mizzou include Lisa Krantz, PhD '24, who'll teach photojournalism at the J-School. Krantz, who earned her doctorate in 2024, won a Pulitzer Prize that same year as part of a team at The Washington Post.

“I learned so much from my professors and mentors at Mizzou,” Krantz said. “They were so supportive and devoted to their students here. It’s really exciting to think about trying to be what they were for me. I want to be able to give back in the same way that they gave to me, and hopefully the students will have as wonderful of an experience as I did.”

From nationally recognized policymakers to award-winning photographers, 135 new faculty members have joined the Tiger community.

08/25/2026

Professor Jared Schroeder, the Lee Hills Chair in Free-Press Studies at the J-School, warns that restricting political AI deepfakes may solve one problem but could create others regarding freedom of speech.

In the last year, Missouri has criminalized pornographic deepfakes, but legislators have also rejected proposed regulations on AI-generated political messaging.

08/25/2026

A few sights from the first day of school.

08/23/2026

Welcome Week activities continue today with First Class, an academic convocation highlighting the resources and support available to help Tigers succeed on their Mizzou journey.

First Class begins at 2 p.m. today, Aug. 23, at the Hearnes Center. David Novak, BJ '74, co-founder and retired chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands, will deliver a special keynote address. J-School seniors Tyson Ellison and Hailey Hester will serve as emcees.

President Mun Choi and Marching Mizzou Director Amy M. Knopps will also speak, and Marching Mizzou will perform.

Watch the First Class livestream: https://vimeo.com/event/6110325.

Ellison, who's celebrating his 21st birthday today, is conducting a J-School Instagram takeover and is taking questions. Follow along: instagram.com/stories/mujschool/3970160867350058163/?hl=en.

08/21/2026

The Class of 2030 learned about the J-School’s newsrooms, clubs and organizations today during its annual Activity Fair, part of the J-School’s Welcome Day activities. MU Strategic Communication KOMU 8 Reynolds Journalism Institute Columbia Missourian