Becca Linder, a double major in English and Communication from Carthage, Mo., graduating summa cum laude, has set a new standard for excellence as a student in Mizzou’s online degree program. 

Becca made history as the first distance student to be inducted into the Chi Beta chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the national communication honor society. Not only was she inducted, but she also took on a leadership role, serving as the Secretary on the LPH Executive Board, where she says she enjoyed “helping students be involved and leading them to solutions.”

Becca’s favorite experiences at Mizzou reflect her passion for communication and literature. Her publishing internship with Dr. Marc McKee gave her hands-on experience in the world of editing, where she worked with manuscript submissions and explored a wide variety of writing styles. 

“The understanding of how an established national literary magazine operates was beneficial in understanding editing and the path of becoming an editor,” she explains.

Beyond her internship, Becca embraced opportunities to connect with others. She spent two years with Lambda Pi Eta, raising funds, engaging with the Columbia community, and fostering a sense of camaraderie among her peers. She also joined Tau Sigma, a national honor society for transfer students, which took her to Washington, D.C., where she proudly represented Mizzou and built lasting connections with fellow students from across the country.

For Becca, choosing Mizzou was a natural decision. 

“English has always been a passion—so has reading and writing. Communication has many different avenues to explore, so they were both of high interest to me,” she shares. 

Her favorite memories include traveling to campus for her LPH induction ceremony and snapping a photo with a favorite professor, as well as attending the Tau Sigma Convention in D.C.

Becca expressed deep gratitude to her professors who supported and inspired her throughout her academic journey. She credits Dr. Stephen Klein for his contagious enthusiasm for Communication studies, Dr. Cohen for expanding her understanding of different writing genres, and Dr. Logan for making her experience learning sign language and exploring Deaf culture both meaningful and enjoyable. 

As she looks to the future, Becca is weighing two exciting options: pursuing an MBA or earning a Master’s in Library Science. Her commitment to learning and leadership will undoubtedly guide her toward continued success.