Image Alternative Text: Gil Carter headshot

Carter publishes narrative analysis

Gil Carter, an assistant professor in Communication & Media Studies, recently published an article in the Journal of the Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri titled "Who was Robin Bush? A Narrative Analysis of How a Presidential Family Experienced Her Death." Carter examines how three versions of Bush’s story form a cohesive narrative that shaped the Bush family’s public and private communication as they rose in American politics.

Image Alternative Text: Gil Carter headshot

Carter presents on teaching rhetoric of public memory through music

Gil Carter, an assistant professor in Communication & Media Studies, recently presented "It's Not Just a Song: It's a Way to Teach Rhetoric of Public Memory" at the Alabama Communication Association conference held at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Carter demonstrated how private memories expressed in popular music connect to broader understandings of public memory, citing examples from his new course, Words That Changed the World.

Image Alternative Text: Holli Seitz Receiving Grisham Master Teacher Award

Seitz receives prestigious Grisham Master Teacher honor

Mississippi State celebrated three faculty members Thursday, Aug. 28, with two of the university’s most prestigious teaching honors. Holli H. Seitz, an associate professor in communication and media studies, is one of the university’s newest Grisham Master Teachers.

Image Alternative Text: Gil Carter at White House

From the classroom to the West Wing: Carter invited for exclusive White House Tour

Mississippi State Assistant Professor Gil Carter recently experienced a rare, behind-the-scenes visit to the White House and cultivated the opportunity to speak with lawmakers about his work and the importance of political communication.

Image Alternative Text: Photo of Amy Knight Winning A&S Outstanding Teacher in Humanities 2025

Knight wins A&S outstanding teacher in humanities

The College of Arts & Sciences announced the 2025 award winners for outstanding teaching at its March general faculty meeting. Amy Knight, Communication & Media Studies instructor II, was awarded the 2025 A&S outstanding teacher in the humanities for her inspiring work transforming the lives of students.

Image Alternative Text: Holli Seitz Photo

Seitz publishes chapter in handbook

Dr. Holli Seitz, an associate professor in Communication & Media Studies, recently published a practitioner reflection, "Using communication science to inform responsible crisis communication," in The Routledge Handbook on Crisis, Polycrisis, and Public Administration. Based on Dr. Seitz's experience with public health crises, this brief chapter provides evidence-based recommendations for communicators and public officials managing a crisis response.

Image Alternative Text: Carrie McCormick and Gil Carter show off awards from MCA conference

Two CMST faculty members win MCA awards

Two Communication faculty members were recognized for teaching and research excellence at the annual Mississippi Communication Association Conference. Gil Carter and Carrie McCormick earned top awards for their papers and presentations, respectively.

Image Alternative Text: Gil Carter Photo

CO Connection: Dr. Gil Carter

Mississippi State University Department of Communication Head, Dr. Terry Likes, interviews CO assistant professor, Dr. Gil Carter, who is an expert in Political Communication. With the political transition, Carter discussed how the buildup to the election was long and arduous, what we learned, and how we move forward. Carter conducts research in political communication and has been an expert on many media outlets around the country. Carter talks about his background, experiences in Alabama and Florida before coming to MSU, and what he hopes students can learn from the political process.

Image Alternative Text: Pete Smith

CO Connection: Dr. Pete Smith

Mississippi State University Department of Communication Head, Dr. Terry Likes, interviews associate professor, Dr. Pete Smith. Smith discusses his new book, “Birddogs and Tough Old Broads: Women Journalists of Mississippi and a Century of State Politics, 1880s-1980s (Women in American Political History).” The evolution of the modern-day political journalist can be seen in the struggles and accomplishments of these women. Smith is a past president of the American Journalism Historians Association. He was named MSU’s 2023 Mississippi Humanities Council Teacher of the Year and was a 2021 recipient of MSU’s inaugural Humanities Fellowship Award from the Institute for the Humanities.

Image Alternative Text: Pete Smith

‘Birddogs and Tough Old Broads’ book by MSU author highlights women journalists in Mississippi

Mississippi State faculty member Pete Smith showcases the experiences of women journalists throughout the course of a century in his new book “Birddogs and Tough Old Broads: Women Journalists of Mississippi and a Century of State Politics, 1880s-1980s.”

Image Alternative Text: Seitz

EXCITE grant furthers adult vaccine education

Mississippi adults will continue to be offered science-based vaccine information by the Mississippi State University Extension Service with help from a national grant. MSU Extension received the Extension Collaborative on Immunization Teaching and Engagement, or EXCITE, grant to provide adult vaccine education in Mississippi. MSU was one of 37 institutions chosen for this award.

Image Alternative Text: Seitz

Seitz presents research at ICA

Dr. Holli Seitz, an associate professor in Communication & Media Studies, attended the International Communication Association annual conference in May. She shares, “I was able to give an oral presentation of my research, co-authored with recent graduate Sarah Rendon, ‘Effects of Community-Engaged Learning on Student Perceptions and Outcomes’ and received excellent feedback.”

Image Alternative Text: Jessica Collier

CO Connection: Jessica Collier

Mississippi State University's Department of Communication Head Dr. Terry Likes interviews Dr. Jessica Collier, an assistant professor in Communication and Media Studies. Collier discusses her recent publications on the topic of fake news. Collier also specializes in political communication and has conducted research on the impact of news trust, scandal, and political efficacy. Her publication in the Center for Media Engagement is entitled, “Even in “news deserts,” people still get news.” Finally, Collier, who teaches courses in Communication Leadership, Elements of Persuasion, and Political Communication, offers advice for students.

Image Alternative Text: Dr. Holli Seitz

Dr. Holli Seitz & co-authors publish article in Health Promotion Practice

Associate Professor Holli Seitz and colleagues Antonio Gardner and Leah Pylate recently published a scholarly article on formative research they conducted with MSU students and parents to inform COVID-19 health communication efforts. The article, "Formative Research to Inform College Health Communication Campaigns About COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors," was published in Health Promotion Practice.

Image Alternative Text: Dr. Holli Seitz

Dr. Holli Seitz presents at 2023 Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators Conference

Dr. Seitz and colleagues from the HappyHealthy project (Dr. Laura Downey, Dr. Sylvia Byrd, and Drew Cole) presented results from an evaluation of the HappyHealthy social marketing campaign at the 2023 Association of SNAP Nutrition Education Administrators (ASNNA) Conference. This virtual oral presentation, "Effects of a social marketing campaign (SMC) on campaign awareness, fruit and vegetable consumption, and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic," highlighted self-reported effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and nutrition among Mississippians eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).