Makenzie Schroeder is a PhD candidate in the Department of Communication at the University of Missouri. She received her MA in Communication from the University of Missouri, and her BA in Communication and Political Science from the University of Michigan-Flint. 

Makenzie’s research focuses on the psychosocial outcomes of media on identity, othering, stigma, stereotyping, and similar concepts. With a focus on media effects, her research explores how these processes are perpetuated by media, and how the portrayal of different identities influences their treatment within society. Existing at the intersection of mediated and health communication, much of this work considers health identities, including the impact of media on health outcomes. However, many of her projects consider interpersonal, family, and political communication in relation to her main research trajectory. Specific interests include the impact of media on eating disorders and attitudes about body size. Recent publications have appeared in journals such as Health Communication and Computers in Human Behavior, among others. 

Regarding teaching, Makenzie currently serves as the course coordinator for COMM 2100: Media Communication in Society. Within her role, Makenzie mentors other teaching assistants, leading the design of lab material among other tasks. She also served a leading role in a recent redesign of the course, including serving as a co-author for a new course text. Makenzie has also served as instructor-of-record for COMM 1200: Public Speaking. Beyond her specific teaching appointments, she has engaged in various training, such as that related to best practices for online teaching. Recently, she presented at an internal university conference about implementing AI in the classroom.