Dear ComArtSci Community and Friends,
Just two weeks ago, nearly 2,000 miles from East Lansing, I stood in a room filled with Spartans who still introduced themselves by their major, a favorite professor from the college or a defining moment in their Michigan State journey. Years later and cities away, they still carry their ComArtSci experiences with them.
That is the power of our college. We do more than educate, we transform. Through teaching, research and creative work, we cultivate critical thinkers and problem solvers and prepare every student for what comes next.
That long arc of influence was on full display this month, both in our building and across the country, as Spartans gathered to connect and invest in the future.
Spartan connections in Los Angeles
That was certainly true in L.A., where MSU hosted an event for the comprehensive fundraising campaign, Uncommon Will, Far Better World. It was an incredible gathering of alumni and friends from across the university. And amid that sea of Spartans, ComArtSci stood out.
Seeing Brian O’Connor, ComArtSci alum and faculty member, joining MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz as part of the featured panel conversation was a highlight. Brian brought our impact and legacy front and center, reminding alumni and friends of MSU’s various colleges who we are as a community and why the work in our college matters. These moments expand awareness of our college and open doors for the next generation.
Equally meaningful was having our students, Anuya Gawaskar (Digital Storytelling major) and Sophia Jundy (Journalism and Public Relations dual major), join us to reflect on last year’s industry immersion trip – one of the many experiential learning opportunities afforded to our students. Hearing them chat with guests about how the experience shaped their confidence and clarified their aspirations was a full-circle moment. Their stories bring proof of how we activate talent for employers across the globe.
Leading conversations on AI and ethics
Back on campus, the energy of possibility was just as palpable. We welcomed our new Provost, Laura Lee McIntyre, to ComArtSci as part of her campus listening tour, giving us a chance to showcase the depth of our teaching, research, creative activity, and student experience. Faculty and staff shared their work, and our students jumped in too. Damien Weathersby (Creative Advertising major) and Owen Gilbert (Digital Storytelling major) captured the visit from start to finish — you can see it through their eyes on our Instagram for a fun, inside look at what makes ComArtSci unique. Ninety minutes was not nearly enough to showcase everything of significance happening here.
Not long after, we turned to another important conversation. Hosting the kick-off event for MSU’s Ethics Week, we welcomed Dr. Wes Fondren from Coastal Carolina University to discuss artificial intelligence and its intersections with higher education, ethics, and communication. Faculty, students, and guests from across the university joined in on this conversation about the questions shaping classrooms, research, and industries alike.
I think we all recognize that AI is not some distant concept. It is already reshaping how we conduct research and creative activity, classroom experiences and entire industries. And in our college, we’re not waiting for the conversation to happen elsewhere – we’re seeking to drive them.
Special thanks to Bree Holtz, project director for the Ethics Institute and professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, and the graduate school for bringing this to the college.
Wes Fondren delivers the opening lecture in WKAR studios for MSU’s “AI in Higher Education Distinguished Speaker Series.”
Turning learning into opportunity
The ideas we explore in our classrooms are only part of the story. The next step is giving students space to apply what they are learning.
At the ComArtSci Career Fair in Spartan Stadium, nearly 580 students connected with over 60 employers across media, marketing, health communication, technology, and public service. Organizations such as the Detroit Red Wings, Hershey Company, and Carnival Cruise Lines offered internships, full-time opportunities, and guidance to show how classroom experiences translate into real-world impact.
The ComArtSci career fair at Spartan Stadium.
We saw it again at the annual Sales Leadership Competition. Our premier Sales Leadership Minor students, led by ComArtSci faculty member Jen Rumler, stepped in front of recruiters from leading corporations to deliver polished, persuasive pitches. The talent on display made it clear why this program is such a standout for MSU.
This work matters because it prepares students for meaningful careers and impactful lives.
Celebrating the richness of community
The ComArtSci community gathering for the Lunar New Year Luncheon
As February concludes, we recognize a month rich with cultural and spiritual significance. From Black History Month to Lunar New Year, and the beginnings of Ramadan and Lent, this season called many in our community to reflect, renew, and reconnect. These moments remind us that across traditions, themes of resilience, hope, and shared purpose continue to strengthen the fabric of our community.
I’m looking forward to seeing what March brings.
Onward,
Dean Heidi