Elise Burkart joined the CBS 8 News team in September 2008. She reports from the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom in Greenville, covering Butler, Covington and Crenshaw counties.

Elise holds a bachelor's degree from the University of West Georgia with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in Political Science. She completed an internship at WSB-TV in Atlanta, Georgia. She was named Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and Student Employee of the Year for her on-campus position with the University Communications and Marketing office. She was discussion panel moderator for the UWG Media Day in 2008. Elise first discovered her passion for news reporting in high school, where she was a reporter, producer and manager for KMTV, the school television station.

Elise finds it easy to go to work in the morning because of the opportunity it provides to really become a part of the community. "I feel like I make a new friend everyday, and what job could be better than that?" Elise says, "This business is such a gift…being able to help people by keeping them informed, interested and involved in their hometown."

Elise was raised in Kennesaw, Georgia, where her family still resides. She began dancing at the age of three, and went on to win numerous awards as a competitive dancer. She taught dance throughout her four years of college, and will always have a special place in her heart for the arts.

In her spare time, Elise enjoys photography, music and working out. She loves to laugh, sing at the top of her lungs and teach a dance class every chance she gets!

Please feel free to email Elise with story ideas, questions or just to chat. She enjoys hearing from the community in the South Alabama area.