Faculty/Staff
Director: Jim Detjen
Jim Detjen became the director of the Knight Center in January 1995. Formerly an award-winning science and environment reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Detjen is also co-founder and past president of the Society of Environmental Journalists. Contact Jim at detjen@msu.edu.
Associate director: Dave Poulson
The Knight Center expanded in 2003 when Dave Poulson joined the center as associate director. Poulson previously spent 12 years on the environment beat for Booth Newspapers in Michigan. Contact Dave at poulson@msu.edu.
Administrative assistant: Barb Miller
Barb Miller has been the Knight Center's administrative assistant since 1995. Miller received the Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award in 2002, in recognition of her contributions to the Knight Center. If you have questions about the Knight Center, contact her at mille384@msu.edu.
Office Assistant: Chris Kennedy
Chris Kennedy joined the Knight Center in the summer of 2007. She has been a part of the MSU family for many years, but recently joined the Knight Center as an organizational expert. Contact her at kenne115@msu.edu
Echo editor: Karessa Weir
Karessa Weir is editor of the Echo news service. She has covered environmental issues for daily newspapers in Maryland and in Michigan. She studied environmental journalism at MSU where she received her masters degree in 2005. You can contact her at keweir@comcast.net.
Teaching specialist: Amol Pavangadka
Amol Pavangadkar joined the Knight Center in Summer 2006 as a teaching specialist. Before completing his master's in telecommunications, information studies and media at MSU, he was the production manager of a television production company in Pune, India. He has worked in all facets of production and shares his experiences and passion for media production with his students at CAS. Contact Amol at pavangad@msu.edu.
Video instructor: Lou D'Aria
Lou D'Aria has more than 40 years of experience in broadcast journalism. During his professional life, he won six regional Emmy's for photography, editing and producing. He has also won first place in the National Press Photographers feature catagory and first place at the New York Film Festival for best documentary, in addition to numerous other national and regional awards. He now lives in Okemos with his wife DeAnne Hamilton and their two children, Kimberle and Geoffrey. Currently Lou is an instructor at the Knight Center for "Environmental Filmaking." Contact Lou at daria@msu.edu.
Contact the Knight Center for information about graduate assistantships or other student employment opportunities.
