Mark Siebert

Mark Siebert serves as Department Chair and Associate Professor of Multimedia Communication at Simpson College, leading the Department of Multi-Media Communications, Graphic Design, and Speech & Debate while directing Simpson Student Media. His career bridges professional journalism and academia, leveraging extensive industry experience to mentor students through practical media training.

His educational credentials include:

• M.S. in Journalism, 1989, University of Kansas
• B.S. in English, 1985, Bethel College (Kan.)

Professor Siebert specializes in applied media disciplines including writing pedagogy, news reporting techniques, U.S. media law frameworks, and college student media operations. His teaching integrates firsthand journalistic experience from major metropolitan newspapers, emphasizing real-world media ethics and First Amendment principles.

Key professional recognitions include:

• 2017 ICMA College Media News Outlet of the Year award for The Simpsonian
• Two ICMA College Journalist of the Year awards for students under his direction
• Scripps Howard National Distinguished Service to the First Amendment Award (2000)
• Pulitzer Prize nomination for investigative reporting on Shelby Duis' death

He actively mentors students through Simpson Student Media, facilitating connections with Iowa media professionals and overseeing student publications. As Director of Simpson Student Media, he manages The Simpsonian newspaper and related platforms, providing hands-on journalism experience while maintaining strong industry partnerships across central Iowa.