Mary Sturgill

Mary Sturgill is a Media Specialist/Instructor at Furman University, leveraging her 13+ years of journalism experience across Arizona, Idaho, and Texas. She specializes in investigative reporting, notably winning national and regional awards for stories on human trafficking, child abuse, and environmental issues. Her work includes producing for the Emmy-winning PBS show 'Expeditions with Patrick McMillan' and authoring two books, with a third memoir in progress. She sits on the South Carolina Writers Association board and contributes weekly content to The Carolina Crescent.

Education:

• BA in English, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• MA in Journalism and Mass Communications, Walter Cronkite School, Arizona State University

Research Focus: Documentaries on community narratives and media's role in societal change. Current projects include a documentary and a workbook, 'The Scar - How to Rip the Bandaid Off Even When it Hurts,' aimed at resilience through storytelling.

Awards Trends: Recurring recognition for hard-hitting features on marginalized communities, legal/ethical issues, and environmental crises. Her work often bridges journalism with tangible policy impact, such as the Human Trafficking Task Force creation in Southeast Texas.

Grants & Labs: Collaborates with PBS on scientific/natural expeditions and leads community storytelling initiatives via The Carolina Crescent platform.