Jordan Yount

About

Telling stories is how we communicate with one another, and I've been fortunate to earn a living telling stories for over 30 years. My professional tale began at a weekly newspaper chain, purchased by my father, a veteran journalist who taught me both journalism and business. That experience prepared me for the next phase of my career-radio, but instead of becoming a rock jock, I became news director of a 100,000 watt country station in Nebraska. Since my initial foray into radio, I have worked as reporter and news director at KFRU-AM and KBIA-FM in Columbia, Missouri, and as an anchor and reporter for the statewide networks Radio Iowa and Missourinet.While working at KFRU, I completed my degree in political science, which later led to a communications position with the Missouri Senate. I created weekly two radio features about the Senate, hosted a monthly television show about the Missouri General Assembly, and wrote speeches, newsletters, weekly columns, media advisories and more for the 34 Senators. A few years later, I became communications director for the Senate Minority Caucus. In 2013, the caucus was forced to eliminate my position due to a drop in membership.An opportunity to return to academia soon arose, and I became a strategic communications consultant for the MU College of Arts & Science, working closely with the dean to promote the largest college on the MU campus. In addition to executive and donor communications, I was the principal author of Mosaics magazine and articles on the A&S website. I also maintained the A&S social media channels.In 2019, I moved across Mizzou's Francis Quadrangle to become chief storyteller for the MU College of Engineering, a similar, but more expansive version of my previous job. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 outbreak devastated state and university finances, leading to the elimination of my position in the college, effective June 30, 2020. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of my career has been the opportunity to teach. I have enjoyed the privilege of serving as an adjunct professor of broadcast journalism at the University of Missouri, an adjunct instructor of mass communications at Stephens College and as an adjunct instructor of public relations at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri. That, in a nutshell, is my story. As I prepare to join the millions of recently unemployed Americans, it's time to begin writing the next chapter.