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Kent State alumnus Mike Jackson, innovator and marketing communications executive, is joining Kent State’s School of Media and Journalism as a professional-in-residence this spring. He is teaching two classes and will serve as adviser to the student organization Franklin Advertising.

When I walked into Taylor Hall as an 18-year-old freshman in 1983, I had no idea that the foundation for my professional and personal life would take place there.

While earning a bachelor’s degree in Journalism in 1987, I was a section editor at the Daily Kent Stater — in a newsroom packed with future journalism giants whose achievements are too numerous to mention.

The School of Media and Journalism organized a project called the Collaborative NewsLab to provide students with real world work experience, while newsrooms, hit with unprecedented financial challenges, were resorting to layoffs and furloughs early in the pandemic.  

A degree from Kent State’s School of Media and Journalism can lead to opportunities to work across fields and businesses — and all over the world. Alumna Mary Jo Spletzer, ’10, has used what she learned as a public relations major to make her mark at Atlantis Resorts in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  

The CCI course Media and Movements explores social movements of our time through storytelling, strategy and advocacy. Fall 2021's seminar, themed “Building a Better World,” required students to select a specific human rights or human dignity issue that impacts their Kent State peers and reimagine a better future based on research. 

Alumnus Tom Jennings never forgot about his starting moments at Kent State, and when he began thinking about how he wanted to give back, he thought to  himself: "The best thing I can do for Kent State is find those most deserving who would like a shot in this type of industry.” 

The School of Media and Journalism has long fostered a close connection with 89.7 WKSU. That relationship is expected to remain strong as WKSU merged and combined operations with Ideastream Public Media, October 1, 2021.

Roseann "Chic" Canfora, Ph.D., joined the School of Media and Journalism as a Professional-in-Residence this fall. She was also a student at Kent State, starting in 1968, and is a survivor of the May 4, 1970, shootings. 

Beyond the magical experiences guests have at Walt Disney World every day, there’s a communications and public affairs team spreading the magic all over the world. Kent State alumna Meghan Caprez, B.S. ’15, M.A. ’17, is part of that team.