Faculty
The members of the journalism faculty have solid professional experience and strong academic credentials as well. The News/Internet program is led by Assistant Professor Kathleen Richardson, who worked at The Des Moines Register for 20 years as copy editor and copy desk chief, wire editor, news editor and columnist. She received her master's degree in mass communication from Drake University and her law degree from the Drake law school in Spring 2002. In 2000 she succeeded Herb Strentz as executive secretary of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, a coalition of Iowa journalists, librarians, lawyers, educators and other citizens devoted to the principles of open government. The Council is headquartered in the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Jill Van Wyke teaches in the News/Internet program. She graduated from Drake in 1985 with a degree in news-editorial journalism. A college internship at The Des Moines Register turned into an 11-year career there, as reporter, copy editor and assistant city editor. In December 1996 she received her master's degree in education from Drake and joined Drake's staff as internship coordinator in February 1997.