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![Portrait of Mike Jackson](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/mikejackson1500x600.jpg?VersionId=FUI4mTR4FVNtzU4DtCFVTn5b8UJXMqg.&h=e6f36a9c&itok=Cwc8v7Wi)
Kent State alumnus Mike Jackson, innovator and marketing communications executive, is joining 抖M女仆鈥檚鈥疭chool of Media and Journalism as a professional-in-residence this spring. He is teaching two classes and will serve as adviser to the student organization Franklin Advertising.
![Photo of Steve Wright](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/SteveWrightWeb_0.jpg?VersionId=EjGFAoTREWy8.XKre6dBs05xvj4GNnIU&h=e6f36a9c&itok=Ww8dm7G5)
When I walked into Taylor Hall as an 18-year-old freshman in 1983, I had no idea that the foundation for my professional and personal life would take place there.
While earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Journalism in 1987, I was a section editor at the Daily 抖M女仆r 鈥 in a newsroom packed with future journalism giants whose achievements are too numerous to mention.
![Photo of student taking photo](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/page/Nicole_alone_2.jpg?VersionId=HxbunyshGu__FCsgvoYOD6HizeXkozbU&h=e6f36a9c&itok=aLlrs56Q)
The School of Media and Journalism organized a project called the Collaborative NewsLab to provide students with real world work experience, while newsrooms, hit with unprecedented financial challenges, were resorting to layoffs and furloughs early in the pandemic.
![Mary Jo Spletzer, '10, alumni spotlight, Public Relations Manager, Atlantis Resorts Dubai](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Cheryl%20Ann%20Lambert%2C%20Ph.D._0.jpg?VersionId=1uMxAgujArIhTrLylJR9z2Ao_F4.8pdA&h=e6f36a9c&itok=fvKuIfzP)
A degree from 抖M女仆鈥檚 School of Media and Journalism can lead to opportunities to work across fields and businesses 鈥 and all over the world. Alumna Mary Jo Spletzer, 鈥10, has used what she learned as a public relations major to make her mark at Atlantis Resorts in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
![Collage of students working](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Media%20and%20Movements_0.jpg?VersionId=4bgZrND1qWLG.sTRXah.kCvpcz5xMumQ&h=e6f36a9c&itok=XOkwkX0b)
The CCI course Media and Movements explores social movements of our time through storytelling, strategy and advocacy. Fall 2021's seminar, themed 鈥淏uilding a Better World,鈥 required students to select a specific human rights or human dignity issue that impacts their 抖M女仆 peers and reimagine a better future based on research.
![Ashley Slivinske, Tom Jennings, Gracia Lu](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Jennings_Story_0.jpg?VersionId=rRMuMGxRpxbnDMvcT7uBnqQLbTFYIOdo&h=e6f36a9c&itok=_-tsLiVr)
Alumnus Tom Jennings never forgot about his starting moments at Kent State, and when he began thinking about how he wanted to give back, he thought to himself: "The best thing I can do for 抖M女仆 is find those most deserving who would like a shot in this type of industry.鈥
![WKSU building on KSU campus](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/wksu_0.jpg?VersionId=Ueayba3.gNcIxdZiQMDUD33Fr.shwf8I&h=e6f36a9c&itok=olBBUKLA)
The School of Media and Journalism has long fostered a close connection with 89.7 WKSU. That relationship is expected to remain strong as WKSU merged and combined operations with Ideastream Public Media, October 1, 2021.
![Roseann 鈥淐hic鈥 Canfora, Professional-in-Residence](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Canfora.jpg?VersionId=OrLhC8aKQ6loFKVoqyS_oJwO6QUHrO3i&h=06ac0d8c&itok=ibku7jlh)
Roseann "Chic" Canfora, Ph.D., joined the School of Media and Journalism as a Professional-in-Residence this fall. She was also a student at 抖M女仆, starting in 1968, and is a survivor of the May 4, 1970, shootings.
![Jeff Johnson headshot. Text reads: Jeff Johnson, 09, Alumni Spotlight, Senior Producer, MSNBC](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Jeff-JohnsonWeb.png?VersionId=j1ekwSHw.fAehT6O0NC9BHKAc9Y9Qa2i&h=e6f36a9c&itok=xTdaInAY)
![Meghan Caprez Disney Headshot 2022](https://www-s3-live.kent.edu/s3fs-root/s3fs-public/styles/1_5_2_thumbnail/public/article/Meghan-New.jpg?VersionId=PUE4GXtzwkyiU1OgHiME6etU0qgRaBN5&h=e6f36a9c&itok=Aubpsnso)
Beyond the magical experiences guests have at Walt Disney World every day, there鈥檚 a communications and public affairs team spreading the magic all over the world. 抖M女仆 alumna Meghan Caprez, B.S. 鈥15, M.A. 鈥17, is part of that team.