Jim Detjen

Jim Detjen is an accomplished journalist, author, speaker, and nonprofit developer, currently serving as Emeritus Professor at Michigan State University since January 1995. Detjen has held various influential roles, including Director of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, where oversight included outreach, research projects, and the production of environmental media while mentoring students and organizing national conferences. As Knight Chair in Environmental Journalism, responsibilities encompassed teaching students at all levels, managing faculty and staff, and producing documentaries for PBS. Detjen co-founded the Society of Environmental Journalists, serving as its founding president from 1990 to 1994 and continuing on the board of directors. Prior experience includes significant reporting roles at the Philadelphia Inquirer, Louisville Courier-Journal, and Poughkeepsie Journal. Detjen earned a Master’s degree in Journalism from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.