Tamara Zellars Buck, professor and chair of the Department of Mass Media at Southeast Missouri State University, was born and raised in the Missouri Bootheel — an agricultural and manufacturing region more in tune with its southern neighbor Memphis than the midwestern city of St. Louis.  

But Buck didn’t come from a long line of Bootheelers; her parents weren’t native Missourans. They moved to the region because Buck’s mother was hired to help integrate the local high school.  

“My Southern upbringing impacted me in a lot of ways,” Buck says. “I grew up in an area that was still very segregated in its school system, church life and community life. But I crossed barriers because I was a teacher’s kid. I existed on a different part of the socioeconomic spectrum.”  

Being a young Black person under the care of civil rights pioneering parents in the South, Buck was encouraged to read and engage with information at a young age. By the time she turned 10 years old, she’d caught the journalistic bug, and she’s carried that passion throughout her professional life.  

From Teacher’s Kid to Teacher 

Buck’s journey took her through several significant life stages before she became an instructor and leader at SEMO — including a career as a journalist and a stint in public relations. Buck earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in journalism from SEMO before enrolling in law school at the University of Memphis, where she earned her Juris Doctor (JD).  

Buck’s innate sense of curiosity drove her to explore the world of media from a variety of different stakeholders’ perspectives, which allowed her to gain a more holistic view of the industry from all angles. Today, she has settled about 15 miles north of the Missouri Bootheel at SEMO, where she draws on her unique childhood upbringing and vibrant career journey to teach the next generation of mass media professionals.  

“My goal as a professor is to produce innovative media professionals who are ethically grounded and have a full understanding of the power and influence they wield as the creators of the first draft of history,” Buck says.  

It’s a big task, especially in an age where media literacy, bias recognition and balanced reporting sometimes appear on the brink of collapse. But Buck is a firm believer that, through experiential learning and active engagement with real-world issues, her students can pave the way to smarter, more responsible journalism for all.  

Recognition in Life as an Educator 

Buck’s impact as an educator extends far beyond the classroom, and has earned her both local and national recognition for her dedication to shaping the next generation of media professionals.  

Her commitment to fostering ethically grounded, innovative journalists has been acknowledged with awards such as the Difference Maker award from B Magazine, which recognized her influence within the Southeast Missouri community; the Distinguished Adviser award from the College Media Association, which is a testament to her leadership in student journalism on a national scale; and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the President’s Volunteer Service Award program, which honors individuals whose service positively impacts U.S. communities and inspires others to take action. 

These honors reflect not just her ability to teach but her ability to inspire as well, as she challenges her students to think critically, embrace diverse perspectives and understand the profound responsibility that comes with telling the world’s stories.  

Whether she is advising the student newspaper, mentoring young journalists or leading discussions on media diversity, she remains deeply engaged in bridging the gap between academia and industry. Her influence is visible not only in the professionals she helps shape but also in the evolving media landscape they will navigate — one where integrity, adaptability and a deep understanding of storytelling remain at the core. 

Beyond accolades, Buck’s greatest recognition comes from the success of her students, many of whom have gone on to thrive in journalism, public relations and strategic communication careers.  

“[Today’s students] are coming into journalism to shine light in dark places,” Buck says. “They’re coming into journalism to help the world, and we really need journalists who believe that. That fire still lives.”  

Looking to the Future of Multimedia Journalism 

In an era where truth is often contested and the future of journalism feels uncertain, Buck stands as a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge and justice remains vital.  

From her childhood shaped by civil rights activism to her professional life as an educator guiding the next generation of storytellers, Buck has never shied away from confronting difficult realities. She teaches her students that journalism and mass media are not just about reporting on events — they are about bearing witness, challenging power and illuminating the shadows where truth often hides. 

Even as the media landscape shifts, Buck’s belief in journalism’s power to create change is unwavering. She knows the world still turns to journalists in times of crisis, and that, even when skepticism runs high, people always seek the clarity that only committed, ethical reporting can provide. As long as there are students willing to step forward, ask the hard questions, and stand firm in the face of uncertainty, she says, there will always be hope for journalism. 

The Next Generation Learns at SEMO 

If you’re passionate about telling stories that matter, challenging perspectives and shaping the future of journalism and media, SEMO can help you take the next step in your career. Choose from SEMO’s wide range of on-campus and online programs that offer the flexibility you need to build your skills in mass media, journalism and strategic communication — wherever you are.  

Learn from dedicated educators like Professor Tamara Buck who bring real-world experience and a commitment to ethical, impactful storytelling to their teaching. Explore SEMO’s programs today, and start your journey toward a meaningful career in multimedia journalism. 

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