People

Nicole Dahmen

Co-Founder and Co-Director

Nicole is an associate professor who has gained a national and international reputation for her scholarship, which falls into three key areas, sometimes standing alone but more frequently intersecting: visual journalism, ethics, and contextual reporting. In sum, her research seeks to advance public-interest journalism—reporting that holds the powerful accountable, elevates underrepresented voices, and makes a positive impact in society. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Brent Walth

Co-Founder and Co-Director

Brent is a University of Oregon alum and a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter with more than 30 years of experience. A native of Oregon, Brent has worked as staff writer and managing editor for Willamette Week; Oregon State Capitol correspondent for the Eugene Register-Guard; and as Washington, DC correspondent, and senior investigative reporter for The Oregonian. He is also the author of Fire at Eden’s Gate: Tom McCall and the Oregon Story, a portrait of the state’s most influential governor.

Kathryn Thier

Co-Founder

Thier is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland Communication. Previously, she was a UO instructor and Snowden internship coordinator. Also a reporter, she has demonstrated her success in getting students to produce solutions journalism stories while becoming a nationally-recognized leader in teaching solutions journalism.

Emmanuel Maduneme

Researcher

Emmanuel Chinezube Maduneme is a doctoral student at the SOJC. He is also a broadcast journalist and scholar whose research interest is at the intersection of message effects, solutions journalism, and African media. He’s on the research and project team at Catalyst.

Zach Jones Neuray

Reporter

Zachary Jones Neuray is a junior, majoring in journalism with a concentration in anthropology. Since joining the University of Oregon, he has become a writer for the Daily Emerald, and a DJ for the local student radio station, while pursuing filmmaking courses outside of college. When free, he enjoys listening to new music, playing soccer with friends, going out in nature and discovering new places, whether in Eugene or elsewhere.

Shane Hoffmann

Reporter

Shane Hoffmann is a senior SOJC major with a background in sports reporting. Since joining the Catalyst team, he has reported on food insecurity and education amidst the pandemic, COVID-19 cases within the UO Athletic Department and more. In his free time Shane enjoys sports, cooking and traveling. Shane is on our student reporting team.

Hannah Seibold

Reporter

Hannah Seibold is a junior majoring in journalism with a minor in psychology. She is working towards a multimedia career and is developing her skills in photography while learning how to combine written and visual elements. Through her work, Seibold hopes to illuminate underrepresented voices. In her free time, she loves to cook, discover new music and watch the sunset. Hannah is on our student reporting team.

Heidi Stevenson

Research Assistant

Heidi Stevenson is an undergraduate research assistant who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in media studies
at the University of Oregon. Outside of the School of Journalism and Communication, she is working towards a minor in sociology. Heidi is excited to be gaining research experience at Catalyst.

Elizabeth Yost

Web Developer

Elizabeth Yost is a sophomore majoring in journalism with a minor in computer information technology. Since childhood, she’s nurtured a love for writing. She’s interested in utilizing technology to create accurate and interactive stories. During her free time, she enjoys reading, playing video games, and spending time with her cat. Elizabeth is our web developer.