The Honors College Communication Internship team plays an important role in telling the Honors story. They showcase their storytelling skills in a variety of ways and through numerous communication channels.
The team includes five students. Meet one of the new faces on the team, Riley Palshaw! Palshaw is a junior journalism major, with an emphasis in strategic communication.
How did you find your way to the University of Missouri?
I like to say I grew up in a newsroom, quite literally. My dad was the advisor for my high school newspaper, so I spent a lot of time as a kid listening to editors debate story ideas and layout. Eventually, I joined the staff myself and worked my way up to co–editor-in-chief. Journalism has always been part of my world, so when it came time to choose a college, Mizzou was the clear choice, even if it meant moving from California to Missouri. The School of Journalism is so well respected, and I knew I’d get both professional training and room to explore different areas of communication.
What interested you in the School of Journalism at Mizzou?
Even though I grew up with a strong journalism background, I realized along the way that my real interest leaned more toward the strategic communication side. A program at the School of the New York Times confirmed that for me; I loved talking with professionals in PR and communications and seeing how storytelling could be used to build relationships and shape public perception, not just report the news. That’s when I knew I wanted to pivot into a career path more aligned with public relations and strategic communication. What excited me about Mizzou’s J-School is that it gives me the best of both worlds. I could bring my journalism foundation with me, while also diving into strategic communication and building a future in that direction.
Could you talk about being part of the Honors College and some of the opportunities you’ve had through the college?
The Honors College has really made my experience more rigorous and opened doors for research and networking. For example, I worked on a project analyzing the evolution of feminism in Disney princess films, which I presented at an undergraduate research forum and earned third place. Opportunities like that have pushed me to think critically and connect with professors and peers outside my major. I’ve been able to map out a four-year plan that weaves Honors into everything, including study abroad in Barcelona where I’ll earn Honors credits while interning.
Do you have a favorite Honors class that you’ve participated in?
My favorite was Black Women in Music with Dr. Maya Gibson. The topics we covered were so eye-opening, but what really made the class stand out was the people. It was one of the most supportive, engaging classroom environments I’ve experienced, and it truly stands out as one of the best learning opportunities in my years of school.
What’s a fun fact about you that others may not know?
I’m a huge Taylor Swift fan and at the Eras Tour, I actually met and traded bracelets with her mom. It was such a surreal experience!