Elizabeth Conner's Profile
Visiting editor and opinion editor, Columbia Missourian.
Visiting assistant professor, Missouri School of Journalism.
Email: connerek@missouri.edu
Office: 573-882-9951
Letters to the editor and guest commentaries can be sent directly to Elizabeth at connerek@missouri.edu.
Letters to the editor are usually around 400 words and must be signed. Longer pieces will be considered as guest commentaries.
Direct any questions about opinion content to Elizabeth at connerek@missouri.edu.
WHAT DO YOU DO AT THE MISSOURIAN? I am a news editor at the Missourian and work with the copy desk to keep the website updated with new stories and photos. I also serve as the opinion page editor.
WHAT KIND OF JOURNALISM KEEPS YOU GOING? Community journalism. The way people consume news continues to change, but I'm a strong believer in local journalism and the importance of having local reporters in a city. Newspapers play an important watchdog role for local governments, and reporters are able to dig into a community and find some important stories that aren't being told. But I also love to see the community stories that share what people in the community are doing. One of the highlights of my time at a newspaper in south Georgia was when we covered a little league team competing in the Little League World Series and eventually winning the whole thing. A reporter and photographer traveled to Williamsport, Pa., to cover the team and share some great stories with people back in Georgia. The games were televised, but there was much more to the boys' experiences than what you could see on ESPN.
WHAT'S YOUR WORK AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND? I am a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism, and it is a privilege to come back to work at the Missourian as a faculty member. Between graduation and my return, I worked at the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer as a copy editor/page designer, business editor and copy desk chief and at SNL Financial in Charlottesville, Va., as an assistant editor.
WHAT'S YOUR LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK LIKE? I enjoying cooking with fresh, local food, so I am at the Farmers' Market almost every Saturday. After moving from the mountains of Virginia, I have dusted off my bike and enjoy riding on the Katy Trail. I am a news junkie and read tons of articles, but my favorite thing to do is curl up with a good fiction book and a cup of tea.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT COLUMBIA? It is fun to return to my old stomping grounds and live in Columbia not as a student. I've learned I am a small-town girl at heart and never want to drive more than 10 minutes to get across town, so Columbia is a good fit. I continue to find new places and areas where the city has grown, but there is comfort in a lot of places staying the same.
