Anna-Katherine Thompson is a senior from Ruston, La., majoring in communication with a concentration in public relations and a minor in broadcast & digital journalism. Thompson is a member of the Public Relations Student Society of America, Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and State Singers, as well as being on the executive choral council as co-director of marketing and a praise band singer for the Baptist Student Union. She was Miss Maroon and White in 2022 and Miss Mississippi State University in 2023. Her dream job is to work in PR within the Nashville music industry.

Tracey Amick Peer received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Broadcasting in 1999 from Mississippi State University. Peer grew up in New Orleans, La., and she now resides in Atlanta, Ga., where she works as a news reporter for WXIA 11 Alive News. 

Gabe Smith received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Theatre in 2005 from Mississippi State University. Smith is from Hammond, La., and he now resides in Starkville, Miss., where he works as Executive Director for Starkville Community Theatre. Smith’s responsibilities include the management of a year-round non-professional theatre company. He became interested in his current job because of his previous theatre experience. 

Courtney Isbell Goolsby received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations in 2002 from Mississippi State University. Goolsby grew up in Savannah, Tenn., and she now resides in Jackson, Tenn., where she works as a podcast host for the “Say it Southern” podcast. 

Dr. Pete Smith, a native of Morton, Miss., has been a member of MSU’s Department of Communication for 20 years. Smith received a bachelor’s degree in communication from MSU, a master’s in communication from Auburn University, and a doctoral degree in mass communication from the University of Southern Mississippi. 

As part of the MSU Communication & Media Studies faculty, Smith has taught many courses, currently including Communication & Media Research Methods, Gender & Media, Mass Media & Society and Elements of Persuasion. He says his favorite part of being a professor is interacting with his students in class and getting to teach so many of his college friends’ children over the last several years.

Veronica Washington is a junior from West Palm Beach, Fla., double majoring in communication with concentrations in theatre and music with a concentration in voice. Washington is a member of the State Singers choir, Lab Rats comedy, and she is currently in the “Magic Flute,” an opera the music program is producing. In the future, she would like to be a Broadway performer and perform at the Metropolitan Opera. This summer, Washington made her professional theatre debut at Bigfork Summer Playhouse where she starred in four musicals.

Tabitha Rafferty is a sophomore from Clinton, Miss., majoring in communication with a concentration in theatre. Rafferty is involved with Theatre MSU, Blackfriar’s, Alpha Psi Omega, Lambda Sigma community service honor society, and Thrive Scholars. She spent last summer working as a box office assistant for Carey Dinner Theatre in Hattiesburg. 

Nathan Dowling is a senior from Calhoun City, Miss., majoring in communication with a concentration in communication & media studies. Dowling is a member of the leadership, fellowship, and tech teams at the Wesley Foundation. He currently has an internship with Hail State Productions, which has given him the opportunity to work behind the scenes at many major sporting events. 

Justice Sandle is a senior from Clinton, Miss., majoring in communication with a concentration in print & digital journalism. Sandle is also a personal trainer at the Sanderson Center on campus. In the future, he would like to do freelance writing for ESPN or another major sports media company. He has worked with the Sports Illustrated branch here at Mississippi State.