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.

Dr. Holli Seitz, a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., has been a faculty member in MSU’s Department of Communication for over seven years. Seitz received a bachelor’s degree from MSU, a master’s from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. As part of the Communication & Media Studies faculty, Seitz has taught undergraduate students Communication and Research Methods, as well as Seminar in Communication Research for graduate students.

Alvin Ivy received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Broadcasting in 2000 from Mississippi State University. Ivy grew up in Trebloc, Miss. He now resides in Saltillo, Miss., where he works as Chief Videographer at WTVA 9 News Tupelo, Miss. Here, he works on shooting and editing news stories.