Reilly Center Staff | LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs

Staff

Jenee Slocum headsjot

Jenée Slocum, PhD
Director, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs 
222A Journalism Building
(225) 578-1899
jenee@lsu.edu

Jenée Slocum is a public policy, communications and higher education professional whose passion lies in bringing people and resources together to advance the public good. Throughout her nearly 20-year career, she has worked with government entities, individuals and nonprofit organizations. Jenée has helped her clients and employers build robust systemic structures that support long-term goals, overcome organizational challenges, and grow resilient coalitions to bolster a range of initiatives. She is most well-known for her ability to conceptualize and implement successful large-scale programs.

As the director of the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at Louisiana State University’s Manship School of Mass Communication, Jenée applies her extensive experience and enthusiasm for politics, public policy and communications to building and shaping the strategic direction of the Center and leading outreach and engagement for the Manship School. She has more than quadrupled Reilly Center activities, including public engagement in media and policy forums, as well as powerful research into race and gender in communications and politics.

Jenée previously served on the executive teams of Louisiana Economic Development and the Louisiana Workforce Commission. While in those roles, she successfully collaborated with Louisiana’s higher education and PreK-12 community to adjust legislation and institutional policy focusing state resources on and encouraging state residents to pursue programs leading to high-demand, high-wage job opportunities available in the state.

Nearly a quarter of Jenee’s life was spent living abroad, which gives her a unique cultural perspective informing her ability to build strong relationships and support on behalf of her clients. She speaks three languages fluently, including Portuguese and Spanish, thanks to her time living in Honduras, Argentina and Brazil.

Jenée is a 1999 graduate of LSU’s Manship School, where she earned a degree in public relations. While at LSU, she served as student body president. Jenée also holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in higher education and organizational change from The University of California, Los Angeles.

 


Kelci Sibley headshot

Mariana Fontaiña
Program Coordinator, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
222A Journalism Building
(225) 578-1899
mfonta8@lsu.edu

Mariana Fontaiña Reyes is the Program Coordinator for the LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at the Manship School of Mass Communication. In 2022, she earned her Master's degree in Mass Communication with a concentration in Strategic Communication from the Manship School of Mass Communication. Prior to attending LSU, Mariana obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Management from CLAEH University in Montevideo.

As a cultural manager, Mariana coordinated all in-house events for Escaramuza Bookstore, one of the largest bookstores in Montevideo. Additionally, she served as the regional coordinator for the International Literature Festival FILBA and FILBITA in Montevideo, and worked as a production assistant for the MVD Jazz Festival, a two-edition instrumental music festival.

 


Maria DeRoche Headshot

Maria DeRoche
Graduate Assistant, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
222A Journalism Building
mderoc6@lsu.edu

Maria DeRoche is a graduate student at the Manship School of Mass Communication and a graduate assistant at the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs. Originally from Prairieville, Louisiana, Maria obtained her B.A. in Strategic Communication with a concentration in public relations from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2022. Maria also minored in promotional management while pursuing her bachelor's degree. During her senior year of undergraduate studies, Maria interned for Louisiana Folk Roots, a nonprofit organization dedicated to perpetuating Louisiana's traditional cultural expressions, where she wrote the monthly newsletter and assisted with the development of marketing materials. After graduation, Maria plans to pursue her passion for public relations by helping other nonprofit organizations extend their reach. 

 


Moumita Roy headshot

Moumita Roy
Graduate Assistant, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
222A Journalism Building
mroy33@lsu.edu

Moumita Roy, originally from Bangladesh, is a graduate student (MMC) at the Manship School of Mass Communication and a Graduate Assistant for the Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) focusing on Marketing Mix Practices, she has a keen interest in strategic communication, digital marketing, and emerging communication technologies. Moumita's five-year career in corporate communication, branding, public relations, and social media management earned her the 'Wonder Woman' award in 2020 and representation at the 'Young Women of the Year Award 2021' arranged by WLPGA. Along with organizing numerous events, bike carnivals, and a successful Guinness World Record attempt for her employers, she is also an award-winning food photographer and national-level debater. She volunteered with welfare organizations like the Girl Guide Association, Rotary Club International, and the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC). Moumita aspires to be a role model for women in the Strategic Communication Research and Public Relations sector. 

 


Savannah Schultes Headshot

Savannah Schultes

Intern, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs

222A Journalism Building 

sschu17@lsu.edu

Savannah-Leigh is a third-year student at the Manship School of Mass Communication at LSU. She is originally from San Diego, California but relocated to Acworth, Georgia during high school. Savannah is majoring in mass communication with a concentration in public relations and is minoring in screen arts. She currently interns at the Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs and has been a Manship Ambassador since 2021. She is set to travel abroad in Paris during June of 2023 in hopes of learning about new cultures and people. 

After graduation, Savannah hopes to travel the world and get her master's degree. She is very passionate about helping others and believes educating herself on different cultures and walks of life will aid her in assisting others to the best ability.