Carolyn Lin, a professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Connecticut, gave a presentation to faculty and students from the College of Communication Arts and Sciences about her previous work and what she would bring to the director job at MSU.

During her Jan. 18 presentation, Lin said she would emphasize data analytics and visualization, experiential learning, community engagement, faculty development and interdisciplinary collaborations among a host of other proposals if she were chosen for the position. 

Lin has a wide variety of past research topics including how social media affects consumer behavior, environmental health and political opinions. She previously served as the Head of the Department of Communication at the University of Connecticut as well as the Associate Dean of the Graduate School. 

Lin declined to comment directly on the search process.

A week after her presentation, the MSU School of Journalism hosted Tim P. Vos, an associate professor in the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri, who gave a similar presentation. 

Vos is also the chair of journalism studies faculty at the University of Missouri. His past research includes studying media history and the role of the media as a gatekeeper. He currently serves as Vice President of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the leading research organization in the field.

"Its really exciting to think about how a new director can build around that kind of legacy and try to make a program that's a world leader," Vos said, referring to the accomplishments of Davenport. "I am really hopeful that I can help position Michigan State's School of Journalism to be seen as a leading journalism studies center in North America and eventually the world."

Esther Thorson, professor in the School of Journalism and the chair of the search committee for the new director, said in an email that the school is thrilled with the potential of both candidates.