Lisa Renze-Rhodes
Director of Unified Media Lab
About Lisa Renze
Lisa Renze is Manager of Unified Media in the Department of Journalism. Previously, she served as the Director of Media Strategy, coaching a team responsible for telling the Ball State story in the press and via Ball State Magazine, a publication for university alumni and friends.
In the Unified Media Lab, Renze works with student-run organizations who are consistently recognized as being among the best in the nation by the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Advisers, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Hearst, the Indiana Broadcasters Association and the Society of Professional Journalism. Additionally, the teams have adapted to the changing media landscape with innovative products and content strategies designed to better serve a diverse audience.
Renze spent the bulk of her career as a journalist with newspapers and magazines around the Midwest, including a decade with the Indianapolis Star. She continues freelancing for magazines and specialty publications.
She’s involved with local and national journalism organizations, serving as the vice president for the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, as a board member with the Indiana Collegiate Press Association and working as a national conference official and faculty member for the Associated Collegiate Press.
Experience
- Ball State University, Manager of Unified Media, 2017-present
- Ball State University, Director of Media Strategy, Office of Marketing and Communications, 2015-2017
- Angie’s List Magazine, Investigative Reporter, 2012-14
- Cathedral High School, Director of Marketing and Communications, 2007-12
- The Indianapolis Star, Visual Journalist and Reporter, 1997-2007
- The South Bend Tribune, Graphic Designer and Reporter, 1995-97
Education
- M.F.A., creative writing, Butler University
- B.A., journalism and broadcasting, Northwest Missouri State University
- A.A., English, Iowa Lakes Community College
- Indiana University Fundraising Management Certificate (Principles/Techniques)
Selected Published Work
- “So what is church?” Luther Seminary Story Magazine, Summer 2020
- “Crushing it in the Queen City,” AAA Hoosier Motor Club Magazine, May-June 2020
- “Muncie’s Neely House restaurant reimagines traditional Midwest meals,” Indiana Minority Business Magazine, January 2020
- “Tapping Into History,” AAA Hoosier Motor Club Magazine, January-February 2020
- “Face Value,” Augsburg Now Magazine, Fall-Winter 2019
- “Can You Handle Heat,” AAA Hoosier Motor Club Magazine, November-December 2019
- “How’d You Get That Job: Kate Sullivan,” Indy Maven, November 2019
- “Keeping a locally owned restaurant alive — and thriving,” Indiana Minority Business Magazine, October 2019
- “Auntie Anne’s Founder … Struggle with Sex Abuse,” Hope for Women, September 2019
- “Prepare to be A-Maized,” AAA Hoosier Motor Club Magazine, September-October 2019
- “Holy Listening,” Luther Seminary Story Magazine, Summer 2019
- “Girl Scouts of Central Indiana have a new leader,” Indianapolis Star, January 2018
- “400 Indiana students learn… from Richard Lugar,” Indianapolis Star, December 2017
- “Building a Strong Foundation,” Kiwanis International Magazine, August 2016
Selected Honors and Awards
- Indiana Judges’ Merit Citation for Journalism
- Numerous Associated Press, Hoosier State Press Association, and Society of Professional Journalism awards