MSU PR Alum Leads University Communications and Marketing Strategy
Emily Gerkin Guerrant’s PR career journey from political and advocacy communications to reputation management for MSU
By: Tatum Fettig
For Emily Gerkin Guerrant, leading communications at Michigan State University is a full-circle moment. Once a graduate student in MSU’s public relations program, Guerrant now oversees the reputation management efforts that position MSU as a leader in higher education.
Guerrant earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Central Michigan University in 1997. Wanting to support her career experience in PR with education, she graduated with her master’s degree in public relations at MSU in 2008.
“Any of the leadership positions that I’ve gone into have required a master’s,” said Guerrant. “So, while I didn’t think about that part back then, that became my reality in a way that it should have been a motivating factor.”
Earlier in her career, Guerrant worked in Michigan public affairs. First, she worked as a communications specialist and then press secretary in the Michigan House of Representatives. Later, she worked in leadership positions at two Michigan advocacy communication agencies: John Bailey & Associates and Lambert, Edwards & Associates.
“My favorite clients were the ones whose missions I found fulfillment out of, like mental health advocacy, or making the state smoke-free,” said Guerrant. “If I got asked that question, ‘top five proudest accomplishments,’ making the state of Michigan smoke-free is one of them for me.”
Before joining MSU, Guerrant served as the senior vice president of marketing and communications at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. There, she managed marketing direction for campaigns including the Pure Michigan campaign (link here), promoting Michigan to global tourists.
In her current role at University Communications and Marketing, Guerrant directs strategic communications for the university. She oversees the storytelling efforts for MSU events and accomplishments, specifically through social media, media relations and MSU Today (link here), the source for university news.
“Reputation is so broad and covers so many things,” said Guerrant. “I feel like that is my main goal every day. And then when there are problems, I shift more into issue management and crisis communication.”
To learn more about the work Guerrant does at the University Communication and Marketing office, visit comms.msu.edu here.
