Staff
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.
Maria DeRoche
Program Coordinator, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
222A Journalism Building
mderoc6@lsu.edu
Maria DeRoche began her role as program coordinator for the LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs in March 2024. She is also a master's student at the Manship School of Mass Communication. Originally from Prairieville, Louisiana, DeRoche obtained a B.A. in strategic communication with a concentration in public relations and a minor in promotional management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2022. Previously, DeRoche interned for Louisiana Folk Roots, a nonprofit organization dedicated to perpetuating Louisiana's traditional cultural expressions. She worked as a graduate assistant for the Reilly Center from January 2023 – March 2024.
Moumita Roy
Graduate Assistant, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
222A Journalism Building
mroy33@lsu.edu
Moumita, originally from Bangladesh, is a graduate student in the MMC Program at the Manship School and a graduate assistant at the Reilly Center. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Marketing Mix Practices, she has a keen interest in Strategic Health Communication, Media Communication Research, and Emerging Communication Technologies. Her dedication to her research earned her 1st place in the 2024 LSU Graduate Research Conference in the Business and Mass Communication Area. Besides her research, she is actively involved in several student organizations, including the LSU Student Government, where she served as the Director of International Student Affairs. Her dedication to the LSU community earned her the "LSU Unsung Hero Award 2024."
In Bangladesh, Moumita built a five-year career in corporate communication, branding,
public relations, and digital media management. Her exceptional work earned her the
'Wonder Woman' award in 2020 and a spot in the 'Young Women of the Year Award 2021'
organized by WLPGA. Additionally, she is an award-winning food photographer and a
national-level debater.
Tabitha Langley
Intern, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
222A Journalism Building
tlang16@lsu.edu
Tabitha is a second-year student in the School of Architecture at LSU and an intern with the Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs since October 2023. She is a Louisiana native from Bossier City, Louisiana. Tabitha is majoring in architecture with minors in architectural history and construction management. She is set to study abroad in Paris in the fall of her fourth year. Tabitha hopes to find ways incorporate the issues that the Reilly Center explores into better designing physical spaces for all people.
After graduation, Tabitha plans to spend time traveling to study different cultures
and their perspectives on social issues and the built environment. During that time,
she plans to receive her license and later put into practice designing spaces with
consideration of her work with the Reilly Center.
Emily Pope
Intern, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
222A Journalism Building
epope12@lsu.edu
Emily Pope began interning for LSU's Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs in October of 2023. She is originally from Alexandria, Louisiana and studies Computer Science in the LSU College of Engineering. Emily anticipates graduation in May 2027. Following graduation, Emily hopes to gain new experiences by travelling the world!
Julia Russell
Intern, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
222A Journalism Building
Jruss62@lsu.edu
Julia Russell joined the LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs as an intern in June 2024. She is currently a second-year undergraduate student majoring in mass communication with a concentration in digital advertising. Russell is passionate about leveraging her skills in digital media to transition into the field of UX design. With a keen interest in user experience and digital innovation, she aims to blend creative storytelling with practical design solutions to enhance user interactions across various digital platforms.
Hannah Egan
Intern, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
222A Journalism Building
hegan1@lsu.edu
Hannah Egan began interning for LSU's Reilly Center for media and public affairs in June of 2024. She is originally from Roswell, Georgia and is currently studying Biology in LSU's College of Science as well as minoring in Dance in LSU's School of Dramatic Arts. Hannah hopes to study abroad and is planning to graduate in May of 2027.