Joey Mendolia is a PhD student in the Journalism and Media Communication department at Colorado State University, where his research examines how narrative strategies in environmental media shape the way people think and act, including the ability of narrative to overcome motivated reasoning.

Before returning to academia, Joey spent nearly a decade as an award-winning multimedia producer and documentary-filmmaker, making films and photo stories for primarily PBS and NPR for audiences. His work has earned a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Documentary and a Northwest Regional Emmy nomination. Additionally, Joey worked in environmental consulting for three years prior to attending CSU, where he guided companies on sustainability measures such as native plantings and green infrastructure installations.

Joey holds master's degrees from Northwestern University (Health, Science and Environmental Journalism) and Indiana University (Environmental Sustainability). His background spans both the journalistic and scientific sides of visual storytelling, which now informs his research into how environmental media narratives influence public understanding and behavior.