Leigh F. Stephens is a Professor Emeritus from California State University, Sacramento Journalism and Communications Department. She was also a Visiting Professor to the University of Hawaii for 22 years.
Stephens received a National Book Award from the National Federation of Press Women and numerous article awards from California Press Women. She was also a recipient of a Poynter Institute for Media Studies Fellowship.
For a number of years she has been a contributing writer for Valley Community Newspapers. Stephens is the author of more than 500 articles and textbook publications. She is also the author of the books, Covering the Community: A Diversity Handbook for Media, Twelve Steps to Clear Writing, and The Grass Roots City Tree Planner.