Wanda Herndon, senior vice president of worldwide public affairs for Starbucks Coffee Co., will speak Thursday as part of the Edward Zabrusky Lecture in Public Relations series.

The event will be held at 4 p.m. in Kellogg Center Big Ten Room B. The event is free to the public.

Herndon graduated from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences and received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from MSU’s School of Journalism. She was given an Outstanding Alumni Award from the college last year.

At Starbucks, Herndon develops strategies to improve corporate image, handles public affairs and media relations, and executes employee and financial communications.

Herndon also serves on the School of Journalism’s Professional Advisory Committee and its Minority Affairs Committee.

Carol Cole, spokeswoman and alumni coordinator for the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, said Herndon is an engaging speaker who will offer insightful information for those who attend.

“Wanda is just a very dynamic and accomplished public relations professional,” she said. “She has come to speak in journalism and public relations classes in the college a number of times, and she is always very well received. I think students will enjoy her talk and benefit from it very much.”