Dr. Leonard B. Horton III

Department

Communication, Media, Journalism and Film

Role: Faculty
Campus: Springfield

Postal mail

Missouri State University
Communication, Media, Journalism and Film
901 S. National Ave.
Springfield, MO 65897

Biography

Dr. Leonard B. Horton, III is an assistant professor of journalism. He serves as the student media advisor for the award-winning, live student newscast, Ozarks News Brief, as well as the internship coordinator for students majoring in journalism and related media fields. Dr. Horton currently represents the Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film as a faculty representative on the MSU Faculty Senate.

Details

Education

  • EdD, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, 2022, University of Missouri
  • MS, Broadcast Journalism, 2003, Florida A&M University
  • BA, English, 2001, Tuskegee University

Teaching

  • GEP 101 First-Year Foundations
  • JRN 270 Introduction to Journalism
  • JRN 376 Business Reporting
  • JRN 381 Broadcast News Writing
  • JRN 384 Broadcast Performance
  • JRN 388 Electronic News Gathering
  • JRN 481 Multi-platform News Producing
  • MED 120 Mass Media and Society
  • MED 130 Media Professionalism
  • MED 300 Special Topics - Drones: Taking Flight
  • MED 300 Special Topics - Promoting Yourself in the Digital Age
  • MED 383 Television Production
  • MED 581 Media Law and Ethics

Professional experience

  • Contributing Reporter, KSMU / Ozarks Public Radio, Springfield, Missouri, 2025 - Current
  • Judge, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Mid-America
  • Assistant Professor, Journalism, Missouri State University, 2013 - Current
  • Assistant Professor, Broadcast Journalism, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida, 2009-2013
  • Reporter/fill-in anchor, Documentary Producer, WFSU-TV/The Florida Channel, Tallahassee, Florida, 2007-2009
  • Reporter/fill-in anchor, WCTV Eyewitness News, Tallahassee, Florida, 2002-2007

Research and professional interests

Dr. Leonard B. Horton, III has a professional background as a journalist and educator, with work and research interests that often focus on media literacy, news reporting practices, and diversity in journalism. Dr. Horton has been involved in presentations and publications related to experiential learning, the impact of the economy on newsroom management, and the role of media in a democratic society. Dr. Horton also enjoys examining intergroup communication within newsroom settings and promoting interpersonal skills among students that encourage career development.

Awards and honors

  • Resolution, Missouri House of Representatives, 2025
  • Black Excellence Honoree, Springfield NAACP, 2025
  • Mid-America Emmy Winner, Best Newscast, Ozarks News Brief, 2024
  • 1st and 2nd Place Winner for Best Newscast, Missouri Broadcast Educators Association, Ozarks News Brief, 2024  
  • MSU Faculty Mentor Award, Achievement Center for Intercollegiate Athletics, 2022 and 2023.
  • "Bear Up" award, presented by the MSU Reynolds College of Arts and Letters for demonstrating strength and advocacy by making space for any underrepresented group and amplifying the voices and/or experiences of those who are often marginalized, 2022
  • "Best in Class" Among Journalism Educators in America, Crain News Pro Magazine, 2021

Additional resources