About Michigan State University

Alexandra Hidalgo is a distinguished Venezuelan filmmaker, writer, and academic who currently serves as Associate Professor and Crow Chair of English at the University of Pittsburgh. With a PhD in English from Purdue University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Naropa University, she has made significant contributions to documentary filmmaking and feminist media scholarship. Her documentaries have garnered international recognition, screening at festivals across 15 countries, with her short film "Teta" being selected for 30 film festivals in 13 countries and receiving 8 awards. She is notably the recipient of the inaugural Carole Joyce Award for Excellence in Documentary Storytelling for "A Family of Stories." Her scholarly work includes the award-winning video book "Cámara Retórica: A Feminist Filmmaking Methodology for Rhetoric and Composition," which received the 2018 Computers and Composition Distinguished Book Award. Her work has been featured in prestigious outlets including The Hollywood Reporter, IndieWire, NPR, The Criterion Collection, and Women and Hollywood. As co-founder and editor-in-chief of both agnès films and the peer-reviewed journal constellations, she continues to champion women and feminist filmmakers while exploring themes of family relationships, identity, and cultural connections through her various creative and academic endeavors

Andrew Dennis serves as a Professor of Practice at Michigan State University, bringing his extensive expertise as a CG (Computer Graphics) generalist to the Department of Media and Information. His comprehensive skill set spans multiple areas of digital art and design, allowing him to teach a diverse range of courses. As an accomplished artist and designer, he specializes in instructing students in various aspects of digital creation, including modeling, texturing, rigging, animation, look development, environment design, character art, game art, architectural visualization, and 3D printing. Through his courses on Coursera, including "Current Gen 3D Game Prop Production," "Low Poly Art For Video Games," and "Pixel Art for Video Games," he continues to share his knowledge with a global audience, helping to shape the next generation of digital artists and game developers

Brian M. Winn is a distinguished figure in game design education and interactive media development at Michigan State University, where he serves as a Full Professor, Associate Chair in the Department of Media and Information, and Founder-Director of the Games for Entertainment and Learning (GEL) Lab. His innovative approach to "meaningful play" combines gaming with purposeful objectives like learning, health, and motivation, formalized through his "Design, Play, Experience Framework." His academic journey includes notable achievements as an Apple Distinguished Educator (2001) and Lilly Teaching Fellow (2005), and he pioneered MSU's game design curriculum in 2000, which has since evolved into a top-ranked program. His entrepreneurial spirit led to co-founding Will Winn Games, developing the award-winning Plunder Panic. Beyond teaching, he leads the Coursera Specialization in Game Design and Development, founded the International Conference on Meaningful Play, serves on the Michigan Film and Digital Media Office Advisory Council, and mentors the MSU SpartaSoft student game developers group. His award-winning work in interactive media has gained international recognition, demonstrating his significant impact on both academic and practical aspects of game design

Bruce Taggart brings his extensive academic expertise to his role as Associate Professor of Music Theory in the College of Music at Michigan State University. His impressive educational background includes a Master's Degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan and a PhD in Music Theory from the University of Pennsylvania, where he had the privilege of studying under renowned music theorists Eugene Narmour and Leonard Meyer. Through his course "Getting Started With Music Theory" on Coursera, he shares his deep understanding of musical concepts with students worldwide, combining his academic credentials with practical teaching experience to make music theory accessible to learners at all levels

Daniel Ortega-Pacheco is a globally recognized expert in climate policy and sustainable finance who currently serves as the Director of the Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) at Michigan State University, appointed in February 2024. With over 20 years of international experience, he brings extensive expertise in carbon markets, climate governance, and sustainable development. His impressive background includes serving as Ecuador's Minister of Environment, Lead Climate Negotiator, and Vice-Minister of Political Affairs, where he was instrumental in developing the country's net zero and biodiversity strategies. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management from The Ohio State University and degrees from Michigan State University and EARTH University. At MSU, he leads the "Forest Carbon Credits and Initiatives" course, which provides comprehensive training in forest carbon project development, quantification, and market access. His current role as Co-Chair of the Expert Panel in the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) demonstrates his continued influence in establishing global standards for high-integrity carbon credits

Daphna Gadoth serves as the Senior Research Assistant with the Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) at Michigan State University, bringing a strong academic foundation with both a BS in Forestry (including an Entomology minor) and an MS in Forestry from MSU. Her expertise spans multiple areas including silviculture, ecology, urban forestry, pathology, forest-climate interactions, and adaptive management. She specializes in developing educational content and programming, focusing on making forest science more accessible through effective communication. Beyond her professional work, she maintains a deep personal connection to Michigan's natural environment, particularly its forested sand dunes, and enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, tubing, and disc golf

David Poulson serves as the senior associate director of Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, where he has made significant contributions to environmental reporting and education since 2003. His expertise spans environmental, investigative, public affairs, and data analysis reporting, which he teaches to aspiring journalists. As the founder and editor of Great Lakes Echo, he oversees an award-winning non-profit environmental news service that combines traditional journalism values with innovative reader engagement approaches

David Wheeler brings an extraordinary blend of film, television, and gaming industry experience to his role as Director of Media Sandbox at Michigan State University, which he has led since 2013. After graduating with honors from The London Film School, he built an impressive career starting at CBS in Los Angeles, where he worked as a writer, director, and cinematographer in broadcast journalism and television. His pioneering work in interactive entertainment includes directing the video game "11th Hour" in 1995 and creating the groundbreaking interactive movie "Tender Loving Care" featuring John Hurt. His executive positions include Content Director at Vivendi/Universal and Senior Creative Director at Electronic Arts. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit by founding four successful media companies: Terra Nova Productions in Hollywood, Aftermath Media in Ashland, Digital Circus in Vancouver, and Here And Now Transmedia in Los Angeles. His diverse background spans traditional media, interactive entertainment, and digital innovation, making him a valuable leader in media education.

Emily Esch serves as the Digital Media and Education Specialist for the Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) at Michigan State University, a position she has held since May 2021. A proud MSU alumna with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, she specializes in developing interactive online learning materials for the program's educational initiatives. Her work involves creating animated presentations, videos, and graphics to enhance education and communications on forest carbon topics. She collaborates closely with colleagues and partnering institutions, including the United States Forest Service, to produce educational content for national audiences. Previously, she worked as a Digital Media and Learning Specialist at MSU from 2020 to 2021, where she maintained department communications and supported various digital media initiatives

Eric Freedman serves as Professor of Journalism and Chair of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at Michigan State University, bringing over two decades of professional journalism experience to academia. His distinguished career includes winning a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of legislative corruption while at the Detroit News. At MSU since 1996, he teaches a comprehensive suite of courses including environmental journalism, public affairs reporting, and international journalism, while directing the school's Capital News Service. His academic credentials include a bachelor's degree in government from Cornell University, a law degree from New York University, and a master's degree in resource development from MSU. He has extensive international experience as a Fulbright scholar in Lithuania, Georgia, and Uzbekistan, and has conducted journalism workshops across the globe. His course offerings on Coursera include "Capstone: Create your own professional journalistic portfolio," "Effectively delivering the news to your audience," "Gathering and Developing the News," "Journalism, the future, and you!" and "What is news?" His research focuses on environmental journalism, press systems in the former Soviet Union, and international journalism practices

Evan Beresford serves as a specialist with the Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) at Michigan State University, contributing to the development and delivery of the "Forest Carbon Credits and Initiatives" course. His work focuses on helping students understand the complex relationships between forest management, carbon storage, and climate change mitigation strategies. Through his role in the program, he assists in teaching participants about forest carbon project design, quantification methods, and market access, while emphasizing the importance of monitoring, reporting, and verification in carbon projects. His expertise helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in forest carbon management.

Dr. Forrest S. Carter serves as an Associate Professor of Marketing at Michigan State University's Eli Broad School of Business and holds the position of Faculty Director for the college's Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. His academic expertise spans marketing research, marketing strategy, and entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on how marketing influences economic development, especially for women and minority entrepreneurs. His research and outreach initiatives concentrate on fostering environments that promote innovation and entrepreneurial success. Beyond academia, he brings practical experience as both a business consultant and small business owner. Through his Coursera courses, including "The Search for Great Ideas," "Structure: Building the Frame for Business Growth," and "Launch Strategy," he shares his extensive knowledge in entrepreneurship and business development. His work demonstrates a strong commitment to creating inclusive business environments and supporting emerging entrepreneurs through practical, research-based approaches

Dr. Howard Schubiner is a distinguished physician and researcher who serves as Clinical Professor at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and Director of the Mind-Body Medicine Center at Ascension Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan. His groundbreaking work combines internal medicine with mind-body approaches to treat chronic pain and other conditions. As a fellow of both the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Pediatrics, he has authored over 100 scientific publications and three influential books: "Unlearn Your Pain," "Unlearn Your Anxiety and Depression," and "Hidden From View." He co-developed two innovative treatment approaches: Emotion Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), with the latter being recognized in a landmark NIH-funded study published in JAMA Psychiatry. His work has earned recognition from major institutions including the American Medical Association, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute on Mental Health, while his treatment protocols have been incorporated into U.S. Department of Health and Human Services best practices for combating the opioid epidemic

Jeremy Steele currently serves as Associate Director and Academic Specialist in Michigan State University's School of Journalism while leading the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA) as Executive Director. His distinguished career spans journalism, public relations, and education, marked by significant achievements in each field. As MIPA's executive director, he supports student journalists and teachers across Michigan through educational conferences, contests, workshops, and summer camps. His journalism career includes roles as a business reporter at the Lansing State Journal and senior account executive at Truscott Rossman, earning recognition from the Michigan Associated Press Editorial Association, Michigan Press Association, and Associated Collegiate Press. A proud MSU alumnus with a bachelor's in journalism, Steele maintains active involvement in journalism advocacy through his work with the Society of Professional Journalists, where he served on the national board. His commitment to transparency in journalism is evident through his founding board membership of the Michigan Coalition for Open Government and his service on the board overseeing The State News, MSU's student newspaper.

Joanne C. Gerstner serves as the Coordinator of the Sports Journalism program at Michigan State University's School of Journalism, where she has made significant contributions to both sports journalism and concussion research. Her distinguished career spans multiple platforms, with her work featured in prestigious publications including The New York Times, USA Today, and ESPN. As a 2021 Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame inductee, she has covered major sporting events worldwide, from the Olympics to World Cups. Her expertise in sports neurology, developed during her Knight-Wallace Fellowship at the University of Michigan and as the first sports journalist awarded a Jacobs Foundation Fellowship in neuroscience, led to her award-winning book "Back in the Game: Why Concussion Doesn't Have to End Your Athletic Career." Her leadership extends beyond journalism through her appointment to Michigan's Task Force on Women in Sports by Governor Whitmer, her Fulbright Specialist designation, and her past presidency of the Association for Women in Sports Media. Currently, she directs MSU's Sports Journalism Education Abroad program while teaching upper-level courses and serving on the MSU Athletics Department Faculty Council. Her contributions to sports journalism and neuroscience research have earned her numerous accolades, including Oakland University's 2020 Distinguished Alumni award

Joe Grimm has established himself as a transformative figure in journalism education and diversity advocacy since joining Michigan State University's School of Journalism as visiting editor in residence in 2008. His 25-year career at the Detroit Free Press, where he served as recruitment and development editor, helped establish it as one of the nation's most diverse major metro newsrooms. At MSU, he teaches innovative courses including community news coverage, professional branding, and his signature "Bias Busters" class, which has produced over 20 cultural competence guides addressing various ethnicities, faiths, and cultures. His commitment to diversity and inclusion has earned him numerous accolades, including the Michigan State University Excellence in Diversity award and the Macomb Immigrant Service Center's "E Pluribus Unum" Lifetime Achievement Award. As a prolific author and editor, he has published more than a dozen books, including works on Michigan culture, journalism careers, and cultural understanding. His international influence extends to lecturing at universities across the United States and at Saudi Aramco in Saudi Arabia. Under his guidance, the "Bias Busters" series has become a groundbreaking initiative, with students producing comprehensive guides that address cultural stereotypes and promote understanding, available across multiple platforms including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes. A member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame, Grimm continues to shape the future of journalism through his roles as adviser to the MSU chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and his work developing the Fair Chance Reporting process.

Ken Szymusiak serves as the Managing Director of Academic Programs at Michigan State University's Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, where he has made significant contributions since 2013. His expertise spans entrepreneurial education, business development, and innovation mentorship. At MSU's Broad College of Business, he leads curriculum development and teaches courses focused on entrepreneurial mindset, small business creation, and business model development. He directs the Hive, an innovative student idea laboratory, where he mentors students in transforming business concepts into market-ready ventures. His entrepreneurial experience includes co-founding Cold Storage Holdings LLC and previously co-owning Polka Dots Boutique for seven successful years. Before joining MSU, he served as Co-Director of the New Economy Division at the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), where he managed a technology-focused business incubator. His impact extends to developing programs like the Entrepreneur Leadership High School Camp, which helps cultivate young business minds across Michigan. He holds an MBA from Northwood University and a B.S. in Urban Planning from Michigan State University

Karl Gude brought over 25 years of professional experience to Michigan State University's School of Journalism when he joined academia in 2006, following an illustrious career as Director of Information Graphics at both Newsweek magazine and The Associated Press. As a professor of practice and director of Media Sandbox, he transformed creative education through his innovative teaching of infographics, creative thinking, and problem-solving to classes of up to 500 students. His professional portfolio includes visual coverage of seven presidential elections, multiple wars, terrorist attacks, and countless scientific discoveries, notably leading Newsweek's graphics team during the 9/11 attacks. Beyond journalism, he expanded into scientific communication, working on National Science Foundation grants to explain evolutionary biology and collaborating with CERN scientists on the Large Hadron Collider project. His expertise has been sought by organizations including the CIA, and he has shared his insights through three TEDx talks and presentations at South by Southwest. His teaching excellence was recognized with the 2016-2017 Quality in Undergraduate Teaching award from the MSU Alumni Club of Mid-Michigan. After retiring from MSU's College of Communication Arts and Sciences, he left a lasting legacy of inspiring students to think differently and approach visual storytelling with innovation and creativity

Dr. Lucinda Davenport serves as University Distinguished Professor in the School of Journalism at Michigan State University, marking a career of exceptional contributions to journalism education and innovation. Her dedication to the field earned her induction into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in April 2023, recognizing her outstanding achievements in integrity, courage, innovation, and leadership. As Director of MSU's School of Journalism, she has played a pivotal role in shaping journalism education through collaborative efforts and technological innovation. Her teaching portfolio includes essential courses such as "Journalism, the future, and you!", "Gathering and Developing the News," "Effectively delivering the news to your audience," and "Capstone: Create your own professional journalistic portfolio." Her leadership style emphasizes transparency and collective success, fostering an environment where diverse viewpoints contribute to program excellence. Throughout her career, which began shortly before completing her Ph.D. in just 2.5 years, she has maintained a strong commitment to advancing journalism education while adapting to evolving media technologies

Dr. Mahmoud Salama serves as the Director of the Oncofertility Consortium and Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Michigan State University, bringing extensive international expertise in reproductive medicine and oncofertility. His impressive academic journey includes degrees from prestigious institutions worldwide: an MBBCh, MSc, and MD from Cairo University, a PhD in Gynecological Endocrinology from Medical University of Innsbruck, and multiple business degrees including an MA in International Healthcare Management. Before joining MSU in 2021, he held significant positions including Adjunct Assistant Professor at Northwestern University and completed a professorship fellowship at Cologne University. His research focuses on fertility preservation for female cancer patients, artificial ovary technology, and cross-border reproductive care. He has collaborated extensively with Prof. Teresa Woodruff, a pioneer in artificial ovary and ovarian follicle bioengineering, producing numerous publications, book chapters, and presentations in the field of oncofertility. His global perspective is enhanced by his work across Egypt, Austria, Germany, and the United States, while serving as an editorial board member and reviewer for several international medical journals