Six Iowa State students have been selected to participate in the Dotdash Meredith Apprentice Program for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Now in its 22nd year, the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication’s partnership with Dotdash Meredith places Iowa State students in yearlong apprenticeships at the nation’s largest digital and print publisher.
This year’s assignments include editorial and graphic design positions with media brands, including Better Homes & Gardens, InStyle, The Spruce, TRAVEL + LEISURE and Dotdash Meredith’s Premium Publishing group.
Students will work in person out of the company’s Des Moines office or remotely with teams based in New York and other locations.
“These students have built a strong foundation of editorial and visual skills through student media, classroom and internship experiences, and they’re eager to continue their growth at some the most respected media brands in the industry,” said Maria Charbonneaux, assistant professor of practice and Dotdash Meredith Professional in Residence at Iowa State. “We’re very appreciative of Dotdash Meredith’s support for these opportunities.”
The part-time, paid apprenticeships offer students real-world work experience alongside seasoned professionals who serve audiences through both digital and print platforms. More than 100 Iowa State students have worked as apprentices since the program was established at Iowa State in 2004. Apprenticeships also can be used for Greenlee students’ JLMC 4990A required internship.
“Our next cohort of apprentices have prepared well to take this next step in their media careers,” said Michael Dahlstrom, director of the Greenlee School and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Professor. “I congratulate this year’s cohort of apprentices, and I thank Dotdash Meredith for our ongoing partnership.”
Meet the 2025-2026 Dotdash Meredith apprentices from Iowa State:
Jenavieve Christensen — Better Homes & Gardens (editorial)
Jenavieve Christensen will begin her third year as a public relations major with a minor in event management this fall. As a football operations student assistant with the Iowa State Athletics Department, Jenavieve has organized events and special projects, designed graphics and contributed to a social media account for players’ parents. She got her start in social media management by creating content for Southeast Polk Community School District’s football program. She is a member of Iowa State’s chapter of Letters of Love and various campus ministries. In her free time, she enjoys learning about home design, baking, crafting, being outdoors and staying active. This summer, she will serve as a workforce development intern with the Ames Regional Economic Alliance.
Brittany Huston — The Spruce (editorial/social)
A rising junior, Brittany Huston is majoring in journalism and mass communication with a minor in leadership studies. Brittany is a member of The Fashion Show’s digital media committee and a former producer and anchor with EverGreenlee News, a TV news magazine show by Iowa State students. An avid photographer, she has worked as a photojournalist with the Iowa State Daily and taken portraits for clients. She also has helped connect with new students by serving as a Cyclone Aide, Greenlee School ambassador and admissions student telecounselor. She is the co-founder of an Instagram account called Women Make Men. She enjoys hearing people’s stories, listening to music and writing poetry.
Elle Meier — InStyle (editorial)
Elle Meier is a journalism and mass communication major who is minoring in event management and working on a professional sales certificate. A rising junior, Elle’s active in student-led media, serving as a spring 2025 editorial manager of TREND, Iowa State’s student-led style magazine, and a reporter for the Iowa State Daily. As a Gold Star Hall researcher and reporter, she writes memorials for Iowa State students who have died during U.S. military operations. She is also a Hixson peer mentor and a dietary aide at a care facility. When she’s not on deadline, she likes to keep up with all things fashion, beauty and pop culture. She is beginning a communications internship with John Deere this summer.
Cleah Phillips — Premium Publishing (editorial)
Rising junior Cleah Phillips is studying journalism and mass communication and women’s and gender studies with a minor in English. Cleah was a 2025-26 co-editor-in-chief of TREND, Iowa State’s student-run fashion magazine, and a reporter for the Iowa State Daily. She’s the founding president of Iowa State’s student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and a member the Greenlee School’s student media leadership team and IDEA committee. She also hosts new student visits as a Greenlee ambassador and volunteers for Raising Readers in Story County. She will intern with Black Iowa News this summer.
Ngoc Ton — Premium Publishing (design)
Ngoc Ton is a rising senior majoring in graphic design and the 2025 recipient of the Art Directors Association of Iowa Harry Watts Scholarship, awarded to ISU’s top graphic design junior. She previously worked as a freelance graphic designer for Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Newspaper, where she crafted longform digital pieces. Her work has been nationally and internationally recognized with awards from the Art Directors Association of Iowa, Poster for__. International Poster Competition, AIGA Baltimore and Iowa State University’s Memorial Union. Her animated sticker set “Babygirlism” has garnered over 23 million views on GIPHY. This summer, she will intern at bluespace creative.
Annika Trost — TRAVEL + LEISURE (editorial)
Annika Trost is a rising senior majoring in journalism and mass communication and communication studies with a minor in international studies. She writes about student events and travel experiences for the Iowa State Daily and works as a communications intern with Iowa State’s Department of Aerospace Engineering. As a digital media studio assistant at the Student Innovation Center, she helps students use photo, video and podcasting equipment. Annika is passionate about travel and learning about cultures — she studied abroad at The American College of Greece as a sophomore and will participate in a multimedia storytelling program in Arles, France, this summer. She volunteers with English Together, Salt Company and the Cultural Ambassador Program. She also served as an emcee for The Fashion Show 2025, Iowa State’s student-led runway show.