When Mathew Rindge begins his day, the world is still quiet. Some mornings he is up at 3:30 a.m. for the gym, and other mornings at 4:30 a.m. to study before heading to work. It is a routine built from discipline and gratitude, shaped by the life he has rebuilt over the past five years. From his home in Biloxi, Rindge is pursuing a degree in Communication with a concentration in Communication & Media Studies through Mississippi State University’s online program, a choice that reflects both his love for storytelling and his desire to help others find hope in their own journeys.

For Jessica Mayts McCallum, the path from Mississippi State’s Department of Communication to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum wasn’t one she had planned from day one, but looking back, every step prepared her for where she is now. Originally from Tampa, Florida, McCallum graduated from Mississippi State in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and an emphasis in Public Relations.

Lady Rhodes Cox was hesitant to attend MSU since Starkville was her hometown. However, the welcoming spirit of the MSU community quickly outweighed the fact that campus was right in her own backyard. “After visiting other campuses, I realized Mississippi State was so much more welcoming than other places,” said Cox. “It really was home.”

Joshua Cagle, a senior Communication major concentrating in Communication & Media Studies from Huntsville, Alabama, came to MSU to study Mechanical Engineering, but he quickly realized he did not want to sit at a desk for the rest of his life. 

Heather Gholson, originally from Burkburnett, Texas, received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing at Texas A&M University and her Master of Science in Strategic Communication at Arkansas State University. After graduating from Texas A&M, Gholson worked in marketing roles focused on sales and advertising before spending six years as a communications director in the nonprofit sector.

River Grace Neri, a Macclenny, Florida native, is a junior Communication major with a concentration in public relations. Going into her senior year of high school Neri was looking at smaller, out of state schools because she wanted a sense of community and to experience something new. Neri says as soon as she stepped on MSU's campus she felt like everyone truly cared about her and wanted her to be here. 

Amy Knight, an instructor in Communication & Media Studies, is originally from Southside, Alabama. She started her career at MSU after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication from William Carey University and her Master of Science in Speech Communication from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Brandon native, John Welsey Cochran, is a senior Communication major with a concentration in Broadcast & Digital Journalism. Upon starting college, Cochran knew he wanted to pursue a career in sports broadcasting. He chose communication because he felt it would give him the best skill set and knowledge to reach his goals. 

Cheryl Chambers, an instructor in Communication & Media Studies, received her bachelor's degree in Communication with a concentration in Communication Studies. She went on to receive her master's degree in Communication Studies at the University of Alabama. Chambers returned to Mississippi State to teach in CMT and is completing her 18th year as an instructor.