Emily Steele is a skilled communicator with a background in journalism and more than 15 years’ experience in storytelling.  She serves on the Illinois Extension communications team as a Media Communications Coordinator providing support to Agriculture and Natural Resources program staff statewide.  A jack of all trades, her work includes project management, writing, copy editing, social media management, website design, graphic design and video work.  Emily has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Eastern Illinois University. She joined Illinois Extension in 2015 as a Publicity Promotion Specialist serving DeWitt, Macon and Piatt counties.  Prior to that, she worked as a reporter, copy editor and designer at several newspapers.  She is passionate about conserving the natural world and is pursuing a Master’s in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from University of Illinois.  She volunteers with her comfort dog Sophie at nursing homes, schools and libraries in the Decatur area and in the summer puts in a lot of miles on the road cycling.