Dear ComArtSci Community,
Welcome to the inaugural bi-monthly ComArtSci highlights from Dean Heidi! I look forward to connecting with you every other week to share about this amazing college, our talented students, and the people who make it all happen.
One thing is abundantly clear -- I am ten weeks into one of the best academic leadership positions in the nation! This summer I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to engage with our college leaders to learn more about their roles, priorities, and passions and I look forward to partnering with them to continue ComArtSci’s legacy of excellence.
Through a series of informal lunches with small groups of staff, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about what attracted them to ComArtSci, why so many choose to remain part of our community, and their genuine commitment to student and faculty success. Staff had the opportunity to “ask the dean anything” to learn more about me personally and professionally.
My listening and learning tour will continue this fall as more faculty return to campus. Faculty and staff can sign up for 30-minute one-on-one meetings and I look forward to visiting the many labs and centers housed in ComArtSci to see first-hand the cutting-edge research and creative activity.
While summer is somewhat of a respite from the busy academic year, our faculty and staff haven’t missed a beat. Here’s just a sampling:
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The Department of Communication hosted the inaugural Communication Science Futures Conference, attracting leading scholars from the field to explore questions such as how artificial intelligence, neuroscience, computational science and other cutting-edge methods will continue to evolve.
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Dozens of ComArtSci faculty and graduate students presented their research at the 74th Annual International Communication Associationon the Gold Coast of Australia where Professor Maria Lapinski was named an ICA Fellow and Associate Professor Danielle Brown received the Early Career Scholar Award.
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WKAR was named the top Michigan radio station and the top television station of the year – for the 12th time in 13 years. In keeping with their community service mission, the WKAR team has developed a robust fall programming schedule to inform voters. They also wrapped up taping the 2024 University Distinguished Professors series highlighting the accomplishments of MSU’s renown faculty and are currently filming Beyond the Score with Al Martin.
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This summer we welcomed our fourth -- and largest -- cohort of incoming college students to the Ignite residential bridge program. The program, led by Lauren McKenzie, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Jada Flowers, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Project and Event Coordinator, is part of the college’s Ignite the Future initiative which is designed to empower and mentor first-generation students and those from historically marginalized backgrounds and set a strong foundation for lifelong success.
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Under the leadership of Jeremy Steele, MIPA Executive Director, 192 middle and high school students attended the weeklong MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop this year. The five-day workshop, held on campus, gives students the opportunity to work with some of the best instructors in the nation to help them become better journalists, explore print or digital media creation and find their voice.
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ComArtSci faculty led seven student education abroad experiences. Students traveled to London to learn about communication disorders and public relations in the United Kingdom; to Tanzania to learn about designing technology solutions for African school; to Peru to learn about environment and science communication; to India to learn about Indian film and media production; to Paris and Rome to study sports journalism and sporting cultures; and to France for the Cannes Lions Creativity Festival.
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Just last week interim associate dean for faculty and academic staff and graduate studies, Geri Zeldes, arranged an empowering pedagogy experience for many faculty and graduate students at East Lansing-based TechSmith to learn new technology tools and approaches for engaging Gen Z in the classroom. This is just one example of our commitment to teaching excellence.
This week will be busy as faulty gather for department retreats and our community prepares to welcome first-year and returning ComArtSci graduate and undergraduate students. In the most recent Dean’s Council meeting the interim Provost and fellow deans discussed strategies to ensure student success and a safe and welcoming environment for all. We will also welcome 23 new faculty and 3 new staff members later this week at our annual Welcome Picnic.
I’m excited for the year ahead and am so honored to have the privilege to serve as the 11th dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.
Until next time, Go Green!