Heidi Hennink-Kaminski

Heidi J. Hennink-Kaminski, Ph.D., is dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University and a professor in the Department of Advertising + Public Relations. A dynamic and compassionate higher education leader, Hennink-Kaminski brings more than a decade of experience in academic administration to ComArtSci. With a passion for lifelong learning, she excels in strategic planning, program development, and building consensus among partners and stakeholders. She has a proven track record of developing and reinvigorating programs by leveraging her deep expertise in research to identify opportunities and challenges, fostering collaboration, and driving initiatives that align with institutional missions.

Before joining MSU in 2024, Hennink-Kaminski served as the senior associate dean for academic and faculty affairs and as senior associate dean for graduate studies in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she was the Hugh Morton Distinguished Professor. As interim dean, she guided the school through a challenging time of transition, helping to improve culture and ensuring continued excellence in teaching and research.

 In these roles, she led initiatives that advanced academic culture, supported faculty growth and development, and ensured that educational programs were both innovative and impactful. Her leadership extended to key university committees, including the Administrative Board of the UNC Graduate School, its Academic Policy Committee, and the Executive Vice Provost’s Senior Associate and Academic Dean’s Committee. As interim dean at UNC, she guided the school through transitional phases.

In her research, Hennink-Kaminski focuses on interdisciplinary health communication, emphasizing social marketing strategies to promote healthy behaviors at both individual and community levels. Her research has been funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense. Hennink-Kaminski’s projects span various health topics, including childhood obesity and abusive head trauma, reflecting the wide-ranging impact of her research on public health.  

A recipient of both the David Brinkley Teaching Excellence Award and the Edward Vick Prize for Innovation in Teaching, Hennink-Kaminski is dedicated to fostering innovative learning environments. She has consistently championed pedagogical advancements that bridge the gap between scholarship and professional practice. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes active learning and real-world application, allowing students to connect theoretical concepts with practical experiences. She has developed and taught various courses in health communication, marketing and advertising, continually seeking to innovate her curriculum and integrate emerging technologies to enhance learning outcomes.

Prior to her academic career, Hennink-Kaminski accumulated 15 years of professional experience in corporate and agency roles, where she held senior marketing communications positions. Her background includes leading strategic campaigns and managing high-profile client relationships, providing her with a unique perspective that informs her academic and administrative work today.

Hennink-Kaminski is a Michigan native. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree from Western Michigan University, and a doctorate in mass communication from the University of Georgia.