Becky McKendry
As communications manager, Becky's mission is to highlight the extraordinary impact that Michigan State University Extension has on Michigan residents, with a special focus on the organization's health and nutrition efforts.
Among other responsibilities, Becky provides strategic marketing and communications counsel to health and nutrition programming leadership; writes and edits a variety of content; manages digital and print communication and marketing needs for projects and initiatives; serves as MSU Extension's media relations manager, connecting experts across the state to reporters and press contacts; delivers writing and communications professional development workshops to health and nutrition staff; promotes and rolls out programs and events; helps educators tailor their content to maximize audience impact; produced the Partnerships and Peninsulas podcast; and more.
Before joining the MSU Extension communications team in summer 2019, Becky served for five years as senior editor at Public Sector Consultants (PSC), a public policy research firm in Lansing, Michigan. At PSC, she supervised and directed an editorial department; worked on major marketing and communications initiatives; translated highly technical content into digestible, engaging marketing pieces; and developed content for and edited high-level research for nonprofit, governmental and corporate clients. Prior to that, Becky spent several years as a journalist and news editor. She has also run her own editorial and communications business for 15 years — working with clients such as McGraw-Hill Education and SchoolStatus.
A proud Spartan, Becky holds a bachelor's in journalism with a concentration in editorial reporting from Michigan State University, along with multiple professional certificates for editing and public relations.
MSU Extension resources highlight how to keep food safe in emergency situations
Published on April 12, 2022
Reflections on success: MSU Extension looks back on first year of farm stress project
Published on November 3, 2021
MSU Extension to undertake three-year, $7 million vaccination education effort
Published on August 17, 2021
A year into pandemic, MSU Extension’s health and nutrition virtual programming thrives
Published on March 9, 2021
MSU Extension selling limited-time holiday gift box of Dairy Store cheese
Published on December 17, 2020
MSU research team wins grant to help rural communities deal with opioid crisis
Published on October 15, 2020