How Practicing Pro and AD+PR Instructor, Stephanie Baron, Uses Lifelong Learning to Inspire her Students
By: Bronte Noble
From a small PR firm in the automotive industry, to working with manufacturing companies, fundraising events management and working on dog fighting cases in the local media for the Michigan Humane Society, ADPR instructor, Stephanie Baron, spent her early career in many differing areas within the AD+PR industry.
She now works as a full-time instructor in MSU’s Department of AD+PR. In addition to teaching, Baron is currently also completing her Ph.D.
With four advanced degrees and a fifth in the works, it’s no surprise that Baron is a huge advocate for continuous learning.
“If you don’t learn, you’re going to be stagnant,” said Baron. “You’re not going to be able to do the things that you want to do or do the best work you can for your clients or your organization.”
She advises students to go into industry before completing postgraduate study to gain a feel for the concepts in the subject area. She says by experiencing the corporate world, students can gauge where knowledge gaps may be to truly thrive in the workplace.
After completing her first out of three MBAs in 2010, she took a position in county government as a press secretary for the Wayne County executive.
“It’s a great job for you and if you’re young, you do it while you’re young because it’s a lot of energy and a lot of time,” said Baron.
A few years later she was recognized for her talent and recruited by DTE to revamp the communications department and spent nine years working in both media relations and government affairs. In 2024, Baron decided it was time to try something new, and that’s when she began teaching.
Solid communication is integral, no matter the industry, and Baron strives to give her students confidence and make an impact in their early career.
“I think a lot of times, sometimes, especially as you’re starting out in your career, you’re afraid to speak up, you’re afraid to have an opinion because you don’t know what you don’t know,” said Baron. “But at the same time, have the courage to ask those inquisitive questions, have curiosity and show the willingness to want to learn those things.”
She emphasizes the importance of connecting and communicating with people of all backgrounds, levels of education and differing viewpoints. Understanding that without the right relationships, it’s hard to be successfull.
Baron highlights the fact that the faculty in MSU’s Department of AD+PR have industry experience, connections and resources that could give us the edge students need to succeed, whether it be a reference that help getting that first internship, or a contact that can change their career trajectory.
Learn more about Baron online through her faculty bio here.
