Staff

Kelly Smits is the editorial specialist for the Office of Public Scholarship. In this role, she helps WashU scholars throughout the process of pitching, writing, and editing articles for various media outlets. She also produces video explainers of WashU scholars for AP Campus Insights. Previously, Kelly was a reporter at the Belleville News-Democrat and Green […]

Julia Robbins is the Communications Specialist for the Office of Public Scholarship. Prior to joining the team, she worked for a nonprofit consulting firm in New York City and as a Communications and Marketing Specialist for WashU’s Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement. She graduated from WashU in 2024 with a major in Global […]

Jessica Guldner is the Program Coordinator for the Office of Public Scholarship.  With years of experience as a freelance editor for both web and book publications, she has ample knowledge on how to ensure that academic research and insight is accessible for various audiences. She also holds a certificate in Professional Grant Proposal Writing through […]

Christopher Schaberg is a writer and editor, as well as a scholar of contemporary literature, environmental thought, and the culture of air travel. He is the author of ten books, including The Textual Life of Airports: Reading the Culture of Flight, Grounded: Perpetual Flight . . . and Then the Pandemic, Fly-Fishing, and Adventure: An Argument for Limits. Schaberg’s […]

Liz Wolfson is the assistant director of campus partnerships for the Office of Public Scholarship. Previously, she served as managing editor for Sauce, a monthly magazine dedicated to St. Louis’ food and dining culture, and helped launch The Sauce, the magazine’s weekly podcast. She is also a freelance arts writer and has contributed to the […]