Heidi Hennink-Kaminski, Ph.D. has been recommended as the new dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at Michigan State University. If approved by the MSU Board of Trustees, her appointment will begin on June 10, 2024.
Hennink-Kaminski is the Hugh Morton Distinguished Professor in UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media where she joined the faculty in 2006, and currently serves as the senior associate dean for academic and faculty affairs.
Hennink-Kaminski brings more than a decade of academic administrative experience to Michigan State. In her current role as senior associate dean at UNC-Chapel Hill, she leads initiatives that advance academic culture, support faculty growth and development, and ensure that educational programs are innovative and impactful. She serves on various committees within the university, including the Administrative Board of the UNC Graduate School and its Academic Policy Committee as well as the Executive Vice Provost’s Senior Associate and Academic Dean’s Committee. Previously, she served as interim dean and spent a decade as the associate dean for graduate studies, where she led new program development and curriculum change across a portfolio of six graduate programs.
“I am excited about the additional perspectives and ideas that Dr. Hennink-Kaminski will bring to our already outstanding and innovative College of Communication Arts and Sciences, as well as her leadership experience,” said MSU Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko. “She has led during difficult circumstances and I am confident that the multifaceted qualities she possesses will add value to ComArtSci and MSU’s broader community of scholars.”
Hennink-Kaminski’s research focuses on interdisciplinary health communication with an emphasis on the social marketing approach to promote healthy behaviors among individuals and communities. Her research has been funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation. She is a recipient of the David Brinkley Teaching Excellence Award and the Edward Vick Prize for Innovation in Teaching.
Prior to joining academia, Hennink-Kaminski accumulated 15 years of corporate and agency professional experience including senior marketing communications roles. She is a Michigan native with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree from Western Michigan University, and a doctorate in mass communication from the University of Georgia.
“I am deeply honored and excited to assume the role of Dean of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences at MSU,” said Hennink-Kaminski. “It is a privilege to lead a college with a rich legacy of academic excellence and innovation in communication and media studies. I'm dedicated to collaborating with faculty, staff, students, and alumni to advance our mission of empowering communicators and shaping the future of media and information. Together, we'll cultivate a culture of creativity, inclusivity, and academic excellence to prepare students for success in a rapidly changing global landscape. I'm eager to begin this journey and excited about the transformative impact we'll make as a community.”
If appointed, Hennink-Kaminski will succeed Interim Dean Teresa Mastin who has served since May of 2023. Mastin will continue her impactful work as vice provost and associate vice president for faculty and academic staff affairs for the university.
By Allison Eason