Sam Ellefson is an editorial fellow as part of the Scripps Howard Foundation’s Roy W. Howard Fellowship program. Ellefson recently completed a master’s degree in investigative journalism at Arizona State University, where he previously earned bachelor’s degrees in film and in journalism and mass communication.

Ellefson’s investigative work into ASU’s noncompliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act sparked internal change at the university and its archaeological repository. He also contributed to a national Associated Press investigation into deaths caused by the use of restraint techniques by police.

He also covered labor for The Copper Courier in Phoenix and led State Press Magazine, the print publication of ASU’s student newspaper.