Prior to joining the Southeast Missourian, Savvy Sleevar served as a Dunn Fellow for Communications and Digital Media at the Office of the Illinois Governor. Before that, Sleevar covered rural health disparities with a cohort of reporters for the Columbia Missourian and Investigate Midwest. Her team’s reporting on the intersection of pesticide use, high cancer rates and health inequities in Missouri communities earned a 2025-26 Hearst Journalism Award for Investigative Reporting. Sleevar also covered higher education for the Columbia Missourian, and she penned several feature pieces as a city life reporter for Vox Magazine. Sleevar graduated summa cum laude from the University of Missouri, earning her Bachelor of Journalism with a minor in history.
Beat: Rural life in Southeast Missouri
Rural communities in Southeast Missouri face challenges related to poverty, health and access to education/job training. However, these communities include men and women who celebrate their history, culture and faith. The rural life reporter illuminates the hardships and opportunities inherent in the region.