Meet ELi’s Board of Directors

Karessa Weir, Secretary of the Board of Directors

Karessa Weir holds a Masters of Environmental Journalism from Michigan State University in addition to bachelor’s degrees from MSU in Anthropology and Journalism. She brings to ELi’s board over 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Now a communications manager and adjunct faculty in journalism at MSU, Karessa was one of the first regular reporters for ELi, covering our East Lansing Public Schools beat. She’s also been a donor from the start. “I am an active and engaged resident of East Lansing who depends on the reporting of ELi on a daily basis,” she says. “I strongly feel ELi serves an invaluable function in our town.” Karessa moved to East Lansing with her husband Brian in 2013 and their  three children have attended ELPS. She has volunteered on the East Lansing Historic District Commission and on the board of several parent organizations. She joined the board in February 2023.

Cody Harrell, Public Editor and Member of the Board

Cody Harrell is an East Lansing High School Journalism and English Teacher. He earned his undergraduate degree in English and Journalism in secondary education from Michigan State University in 2016. He has experience as a media consultant and has been the director of ELi’s Summer Youth program for five years. He has earned accolades from the Journalism Education Association, the Society for News Design, and the School of Journalism at MSU.

Vic Rauch, Member of the Board

Vic Rauch was born in Flint, Michigan, the son of a Buick auto worker and an elementary school teacher. He served with the U.S. Army Reserve, completing six months of active duty right out of high school. Vic completed a degree in journalism at Michigan State University in 1963 and worked for The Milwaukee Journal for three years. He moved closer to home, finishing out his career at The Kalamazoo Gazette, where he worked for 26 years. In retirement, he has taught copyediting classes at MSU’s School of Journalism. Vic has lived in East Lansing for 25 years. He and his wife, Ellen, spend time traveling the world and visiting their combined seven children, 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. “We need to know what’s happening in our own hometown,” Vic said about his support for ELi. “Too many communities don’t have access to local journalism. We’re lucky in East Lansing.” Vic is a lifelong fan of both the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs.