Kate Elliott
Associate Lecturer in School of Journalism and Strategic Communication
About Kate Elliott
Kate H. Elliott is an associate lecturer and coordinator of the School of Journalism and Strategic Communication’s Magazine Media concentration. She is committed to equipping the next generation of storytellers and strategists with the confidence, expertise and professional connections to thrive in competitive, in-demand fields.
Elliott regularly teaches JOUR 101: Media & Society, a core course open to students of any major that explores media literacy and introduces students to rewarding careers in journalism, public relations, advertising and visual storytelling. She also teaches courses in the Magazine Media concentration, through which students develop the storytelling expertise, professional skills and industry connections needed to create compelling work for news organizations, nonprofits and companies.
Elliott’s commitment to community-focused, hands-on learning is reflected in her immersive learning and student philanthropy courses. In NEWS 233: Specialized Story Forms, students identify local nonprofits to award a total of $2,500 in donor funds while also creating social media content for those community partners. Across her writing courses, Elliott takes students beyond the classroom to report on issues and people in the community, with the goal of publishing those stories in area news outlets and student media.
Her immersive learning projects have connected students with some of Muncie’s most pressing community issues. In fall 2017, she guided student journalists in profiling farmers, nonprofit leaders, residents of food deserts and others as part of a storytelling initiative exploring the challenges and opportunities within Muncie’s food system. In spring 2016, she brought together students in marketing, public relations and journalism graphics to strengthen the reach and reputation of ecoREHAB, a Muncie nonprofit that transforms abandoned properties into energy-efficient homes for residents in need. In 2019, she guided another immersive project celebrating the Department of Journalism’s 50th anniversary and Ball State University’s centennial.
As a High Impact Practices Ambassador, Elliott shares her expertise in experiential, community-engaged learning through campus forums and mentoring with colleagues. Her teaching and community engagement have earned recognition at both the university and college levels, including Ball State’s Excellence in Teaching Award (2026) and Immersive Learning Award (2019). The College of Communication, Information and Media honored her with its Excellence in Community Engagement Award (2024) and Outstanding Teaching Award (2018).
Driven to continue to do the work she asks of her students, Elliott is a freelance writer, editor and communications strategist for various publications, businesses and nonprofits. In 2025, she co-authored a book, “Heart and Science: Teaching Special Education,” and looks forward to future collaborations as a writer.
Prior to full-time teaching, Elliott served as a communications manager and alumni magazine editor for Ball State. Before that, she reported global humanitarian news for Reuters in London and wrote features for various magazines and newspapers, including the Rural Missouri and Augsburg Now magazines, the Waco-Tribune Herald and Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Education
- Bachelor of Journalism, Magazine, University of Missouri-Columbia
- Master of Higher Education Leadership, Valdosta State University
Professional Experience
- Associate Lecturer, School of Journalism and Strategic Communication, Ball State University 2023-present
- Assistant Lecturer, School of Journalism and Strategic Communication, Ball State University 2021-2023
- Assistant Lecturer, Department of Journalism, Ball State University, 2016-2021
- Freelance writer, editor and strategist, Muncie, Indiana, 2015–present
- Editor and Communications Manager, Ball State Alumnus, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 2013–2015
- Communications Manager, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, 2011–2013
- Voice Editor and Communications Specialist, Valdosta State University, 2007- 2011
- Freelance journalist, Valdosta Today, Atlanta Journal Constitution, 2007–2011
- Feature Writer and Columnist, Waco (Texas) Tribune-Herald, Texas 2004–2006
- Writer, Rural Missouri magazine, Jefferson City, Missouri; May-August 2004
- Writer, Reuters AlertNet, London, England; 2003–2004
- Staff Writer, Columbia Daily Tribune and VOX magazine, Columbia, Missouri, 2002-04
Honors and Awards
- Excellence in Teaching Award, Ball State University, August 2026
- Excellence in Community Engagement Award, College of Communication, Information and Media, Ball State University, August 2024
- Certificate of Excellence in Teaching, Panhellenic Council, Ball State University, February 2024
- Certificate in Effective College Instruction, Association of College and University Educators (ACUE); August 2022–May 2023
- Nominator, 2022 Outstanding Community Partner Award to 8twelve Coalition ($500), Ball State University; May 2022
- Athena Young Professional Leadership Award, Women in Business Unlimited, Muncie, Indiana; November 2021
- Recognized for excellence, creativity, and initiative in profession; valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in her community; and serves as a role model, both personally and professionally, for young women both personally and
- Awarded participant, Faculty Externship Program, Ball State University Career Center; June 2021
- Summer term of 40 hours of on-site learning, a written externship experience summary, final narrative report, and a department/college presentation.
- Immersive Learning Award, Ball State University, Spring 2019
- Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Communication, Information and Media, Ball State University College, August 2018
- Muncie’s “20 Under 40,” as featured in M Magazine, The Star Press, July 2018
- Faculty Excellence, National Residence Hall Honorary, Ball State University, March 2017, April 2018
- Diversity Scholarship Recognition Certificate, Office of Institutional Diversity, Ball State University; April 10, 2018
- Silver Advertising Federation of East Central Indiana (ADDY) Award, holiday e-card/print piece, Ball State University, 2012, 2013
- Silver Advertising Federation of East Central Indiana (ADDY) Award, “Strategic Plan Year Four Progress Report: Demonstrating Our Value in a Changing World,” Ball State University, 2012
- Best of Cox Award (multimedia production), Cox Newspapers, Inc., 2007
- Honorable Mentions, Texas Associated Press Managing Editors, 2006, 2007