Faculty Media Training

Public presence and outreach, including with media outlets, can expand the reach and reputation of faculty and the College of Arts & Letters.

Working with journalists gives faculty opportunities to provide accurate, informative updates about events, projects, and research that are then communicated to the general public, decision-makers, funders, and other academics.

This form of public scholarship helps create a more engaged and informed society.

Media Consultation and Training

The College of Arts & Letters and University Communications and Marketing can help faculty with media planning, pitching, consultation, and interview preparation.

If there are specific media or PR needs within the College of Arts & Letters, let us know at media@cal.msu.edu.

There may be opportunities to partner directly with College of Arts & Letters departments and fellowship/orientation programs to help support faculty with media planning, preparation, and online presence.

2025-2026 Media Training Workshops

MSU faculty members and administrators who are interested in sharing their research, news, or expertise with the public are invited to participate in upcoming media training workshops offered by University Communications and Marketing.

These workshops are designed to equip Spartans with the skills and confidence to effectively engage with the media and broader audiences.

Upcoming sessions (fall 2025 through spring 2026):

  • Friday, Oct. 3 (9-11:30 a.m.)
  • Thursday, Nov. 6 (9-11:30 a.m.)
  • Friday, March 6 (9-11:30 a.m.)
  • Thursday, April 2 (9-11:30 a.m.)

All sessions will take place in-person at the STEM Teaching and Learning Facility, 642 Red Cedar Road, East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, in room 2110.

Sign up for any of the sessions.

Previous Media Training in the College of Arts & Letters

The College of Arts & Letters Marketing and Communications Team first offered media training to faculty during 2022-2023 in partnership with consulting agency Finn Partners and MSU University Communications. Peer faculty leads and mentors from the College of Arts & Letters also participated by sharing their media experiences and insights.

From 2022-2024, a college-focused media training workshop was offered each semester. University Communications and Marketing revised the media training format in 2025 to offer additional sessions more broadly across MSU.

The College of Arts & Letters media training workshops, “How to Amplify Your Work through Media & PR,” were held:

  • Oct. 28, 2022: Peer faculty leads: Suzanne Evans Wagner, Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures; and Jeff Wray, Department of English
  • March 17, 2023: Peer faculty lead: Mohammad Hassan Khalil, Department of Religious Studies, Muslim Studies
  • 13, 2023: Peer faculty lead: Kelly Salchow MacArthur, Department of Art, Art History, and Design
  • March 8, 2024: Peer faculty leads: Kinitra Brooks, Leslie Endowed Chair in Literary Studies, Department of English; and Jon Frey,Department of Art, Art History, and Design
  • Oct. 11, 2024: Peer Faculty Leads: Kristin Arola, Gillmor Endowed Professor in Professional and Public Writing, Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures, American Indian and Indigenous Studies; and Teresa Dunn, Department of Art, Art History, and Design