Leigh Anne Tiffany
  • Ph.D. in Information and Media (Science Communication)
  • Lansing, MI

Student Receives New York Women in Communication Scholarship

2015 May 6

Saint Joseph's University senior Leigh Anne Tiffany of Blue Bell, PA (19422), was one of 18 young women selected to receive the highly competitive New York Women in Communications Scholarship, and one of two chosen to receive support for graduate school. Tiffany, along with the other recipients, was recognized at the New York Women in Communications annual Matrix Awards on Monday, April 27, which was emceed by Emmy Award-winning television show host, Martha Stewart at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

Awarded $5,000 to pursue an M.S. in journalism, with a concentration in science reporting, Tiffany will attend Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in the fall.

"They say reporting is a science and writing is an art; Leigh Anne enjoys and embodies the best of both disciplines," says Dan Reimold, Ph.D, assistant professor of English and advisor to The Hawk student newspaper, for which Tiffany has written numerous articles.

"Leigh Anne has been a reporting powerhouse during her time at SJU. She brings a scientific inquisitiveness and dogged work ethic to each story she's written and edited," adds Reimold.

A member of the Honors program, Tiffany is a biology major with minors in journalism and animal studies. Through science journalism, Tiffany hopes to make relevant scientific information more accessible to a wider population and looks forward to creating a platform to unite scientists and journalists.

Scott McRobert, Ph.D., professor of biology, has been Tiffany's biology and research mentor for the past four years.

"Leigh Anne has performed in several capacities for the Biodiversity Laboratory, including care of exotic animals and research," McRobert says. "The work ethic she has exemplified in her research will positively translate in her future endeavors at Columbia and as a science journalist."

"It is a true honor to be recognized by the New York Women in Communications Foundation," says Tiffany. "This award is a testament to my education at Saint Joseph's and how it has helped me become both a journalist and a scientist."

The New York Women in Communications Foundation cultivates leaders in the field of communications by providing financial support, opportunities for professional development and mentoring, and entr?e to a diverse community of communications professionals. The foundation requires that applicants are majoring, planning to declare a major, or pursing an advanced degree in a communications-related field at an accredited college or university in the United States.