Becky McKendry

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MSU Extension Health and Nutrition Communications Manager
Justin S. Morrill Hall of Agriculture

As communications manager, Becky's mission is to shine a light on Michigan State University Extension’s extraordinary impact, with a special focus on the organization's health and nutrition efforts and the dedicated staff who deliver this programming to Michiganders.

Becky provides strategic marketing and communications counsel to 150+ health and nutrition staff members, from leadership to educators; writes and edits content; manages digital and print communication assets, such as websites, seasonal news digests, and annual impact reports; serves as MSU Extension's media relations manager, connecting experts across the state to reporters and press contacts; creates and delivers writing and communications professional development workshops to staff; promotes and rolls out programs and events; and more. From 2019 to 2020, she also produced former MSU Extension director Jeff Dwyer’s Partnerships and Peninsulas podcast.

Before joining MSU Extension, Becky spent five years as senior editor for Public Sector Consultants (PSC), a public policy research firm in Lansing, Michigan. There, she supervised and directed an editorial department and edited research for nonprofit, governmental, and corporate clients. She also worked on major marketing and communications initiatives at PSC, including a firmwide brand refresh and events like the Governor's Energy Excellence Awards.

Prior to that, Becky worked as a journalist and editor for a diverse array of publications. She worked as a beat reporter and copy editor for a regional environmental news outlet, a feature writer for an Australian music and culture magazine, and more. Since 2006, she has also run her own editorial and communications business, providing services to organizations and companies across the U.S. Her clients span industries, from architecture and education to tourism and tech.

A proud Spartan, Becky holds a bachelor's in journalism with a concentration in editorial reporting from Michigan State University. During her undergraduate studies, she received the MSU Outstanding Senior Award, the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism's Service Award, and the Capital News Service Connection Award.

Becky also holds multiple professional certificates for public relations and editing from the Poynter Institute and the American Copy Editors Society. Her writing and reporting has won numerous awards, including the Society of Professional Journalists' Mark of Excellence Award and a Bronze Award in Digital Writing from the Association for Communication Excellence.