Warning: The topic contains potentially upsetting high-level descriptions of a mass casualty event so as to describe the context of May’s program. The description is not graphic in nature. 

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Ingham County dispatchers received 2,100 calls to 911 over a five-hour period on February 13, 2023, chronicling an active violence incident in East Lansing at Michigan State University. We don’t want to think it can happen “here,” but 632 times in 2023 in America, we were wrong. For each of the last three years in the US, there have been more than 600 mass shootings, nearly two a day on average. 

The violence at MSU and elsewhere in the US have communicators across the country looking at their safety measures to make sure they are “ready for anything.” One of the biggest concerns institutions face now is: how to secure a large body of people. Even the smallest institutions have a significant number of people in a physical location that they must take into account.

Drawing on insights following the one-year mark of the Michigan State University crisis response, WMPRSA invites you to a crucial program focusing on crisis communications and the lessons learned from the MSU communications team. 

This event promises to be a pivotal gathering for professionals in public relations, crisis management, and communications, offering a unique opportunity to learn from those who were at the forefront of managing this tragic incident. Hear from Emily Gerkin Guerrant, vice president and university spokesperson, and Dan Olsen, senior director for advancement marketing and communications; the leaders who played a vital role in MSU’s crisis response. 

Our esteemed guests will share their first-hand experiences, challenges faced, strategies employed during this critical time, and lessons learned. Our guests will delve into the nuances of managing communications during a crisis on- and offline, fighting mis- and dis-information, the importance of timely and accurate information dissemination, the impact on community relations, relationship-building, and what steps you might take now to better advise clients or your own organization on responsible and proactive large-scale risk mitigation. 

PANELISTS

Emily Gerkin Guerrant
Vice President for Media and Public Information
Michigan State University

Emily Gerkin Guerrant has been managing complex communications strategies for more than 20 years. Currently she serves as vice president for Media and Public Information at Michigan State University. In this role, Guerrant is a member of the president’s leadership cabinet and oversees daily strategic communications efforts for the university.   Her role co-leading the central University Communications team oversees media relations related to crisis communications, and works with the University Communications team to advance strategic communications efforts, internal communications, executive communications for university leadership and public relations efforts that promote MSU’s academic and research impact globally. Prior to joining MSU, Guerrant was the senior vice president of marketing and communications at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the state’s marketing arm. She managed the strategic direction for all marketing campaigns, including the successful Pure Michigan tourism campaign and various business marketing campaigns. Guerrant also led strategic media communications projects for the state’s economic development arm, focusing messaging around Michigan’s comeback economy and successes since the end of the recession. Prior to MEDC, Emily spent 10 years at two statewide public relations agencies where she focused on issues management and advocacy communications. She started her career as a press secretary to state lawmakers and the Speaker of the House in the Michigan Legislature. Guerrant earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree in public relations from Michigan State University.

Dan Olson
Senior Director for Advancement, Marketing and Communications
Michigan State University

Dan Olsen is an experienced communicator and spokesperson specializing in strategic integrated communications, crisis communication, issue management, government communications, and media relations. He currently serves as the senior director for Advancement, Marketing and Communications for Michigan State University, where he leads the university’s fundraising mar-comm efforts. Prior to this role, Olsen led the organization’s award-winning crisis communications team and oversaw the institution’s crisis communications and issues management efforts as deputy spokesperson. Prior to joining MSU, Dan served as a spokesperson in the Michigan Attorney General’s office. He also served as the communications and media relations manager for the Department of Talent and Economic Development, where he worked to expand resources and awareness to Michiganders on the array of career opportunities available in the state. A soon-to-be two-time graduate of Michigan State University, Dan earned his bachelor’s in advertising and is completing his final semester in the master's of strategic communications program.

Stacie R. Behler (Moderator)
Vice President, Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer, and Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Grand Valley State University

Stacie R. Behler is vice president, chief public affairs and communications officer, and secretary to the Board of Trustees for Grand Valley State University. She has executive responsibility for state and federal government relations, public and media relations, institutional marketing and advertising, and the university's radio and television stations. She is also a member of the president's Senior Leadership Team and the Budget Committee. Behler joined GVSU in 2022 after 20 years in leadership positions at Meijer Inc. and The Meijer Foundation. Prior to joining Meijer, she served as an associate with the law firm Smith Haughey Rice and Roegge, P.C.. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oakland University.  The Michigan Women’s Foundation (now Michigan Women Forward) honored Behler with its 2018 Woman of Courage and Achievement Award. Other awards and honors include being named among the 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan by Crain’s Detroit Business and a 2015 Alumni Achievement Award from Oakland University. She has served as chair of the boards of The Economic Club of Grand Rapids, the Heart of West Michigan United Way, the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, and the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.  She was also appointed by Governor Snyder to the Michigan Municipal Services Authority.

SCHEDULE

This program will consist of one (1) hour of presentation and thirty (30) minutes of Q&A/Discussion moderated by Stacie Behler, GVSU 

4:30pm Doors open for visiting/networking
5:00pm Program
6:00pm Begin Q&A
6:30pm Conclude

Parking is available onsite for $4.00 per hour or $20.00 per day max. Directions

REGISTRATION

Space is limited. This program will be in-person only and will not be recorded.

Members $25
Future Members: $35
Students and Un-/Under-employed: Free
AMA Members: $25

ASL interpretation is available on request when registering at least one week in advance.

Please register by May 14.