Donica Mensing

Donica Mensing is a Professor at the Reynolds School of Journalism, University of Nevada, Reno, where she teaches participatory journalism, social media, and reporting fundamentals. She served as Associate Dean from 2015 to 2021 and co-edited Journalism Education, Training, and Employment, leading a comprehensive curriculum redesign at Nevada. Her work bridges journalism practice and pedagogy in a networked society.

• Ph.D. in Political Science, University of Nevada, Reno
• M.A. in Journalism, University of Nevada, Reno
• M.S. in Science, Technology and Public Policy, George Washington University
• B.S. in Political Economy of Natural Resources, University of California, Berkeley

Mensing’s research focuses on journalism education’s evolving role amid technological shifts, emphasizing participatory frameworks, social media integration, and curriculum innovation. She explores how academic programs adapt to shrinking newsrooms and expanding digital platforms, advocating for entrepreneurial and collaborative models.

Her scholarly contributions span 1997–2019, with recent works analyzing journalism education’s structural challenges, public media trends, and digital news networks. Earlier studies trace online newspapers’ evolution, social media’s impact on reporting, and business models for sustainable journalism.