Kinsey Reese is now a second-year, low-residency, Emerging Media Design and Development Graduate Student who will be working with the David Letterman Learning Experience this fall. She currently serves as the Admissions Social Media Strategist at Ball State University.
Written by Kinsey Reese
Nine months into my first post-undergrad communications job, I started yearning for something more. With my background in public relations and art, and a deep affinity and curiosity for transmedia storytelling, EMDD jumped out in my search as an interdisciplinary program where many captivating worlds collide. I wanted in!
As a young professional working in a communications role at Ball State, I longed for an engaging educational experience to bolster my portfolio and knowledge—one with an emphasis on hands-on learning. Before starting EMDD, I wondered about the challenge of balancing my full-time job as I entered the brand-new world of grad school. While it has not always been a walk in the park to manage everything, EMDD, and my job have worked perfectly, complementing one another.
As a first-year student, I’m constantly challenged beyond my comfort zone to explore and master the latest technologies and disciplines. One of my favorite parts of the program is the talented and passionate team of grad students. I’m lucky enough to collaborate and learn beside. My teammates and I have put our interdisciplinary strengths together for projects with design thinking and transmedia storytelling, and I continually find myself in awe of my peers’ outstanding talents. Some of my favorite collaborative projects so far include a campaign to connect young people to volunteer opportunities and another promoting upcycling, and my favorite independent project was a deep dive look at Hamilton through a transmedia lens. The constant focus on real-world application is energizing, helps me create clear connections between classwork and my full-time work, and encourages me to embrace new ideas and perspectives.
One of my favorite (and unexpected!) aspects of the program is my growth beyond the skillsets I was prepared to explore. For example, Dr. Josh Fisher has challenged me miles outside my comfort zone and pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t predict. We’ve explored AR, VR, Snapchat Lens Studio, photogrammetry, and more. While I’m still a newbie to these subjects, I’ve greatly expanded my tech toolbox. I used to seriously doubt my abilities in tech-focused areas, and while I’m not an expert yet, Dr. Fisher has helped me prove that I’m equipped to thrive and conquer new and scary things. At my full-time job on campus, I now find myself ideating and suggesting tech-centered projects that I can help tackle, serving my team in new, forward-thinking ways that help Ball State stand out in our recruitment efforts. Strategic communications and design have always been at the center of my wheelhouse. These additional skill sets have exponentially elevated what I bring to the table.
My experience in EMDD has surpassed my expectations and then some. I can’t wait to dive into year two and get deeper in the trenches, collaborating with teammates, faculty and project partners, and utilizing our EMDD know-how more than ever. EMDD continues to challenge and inspire me, taking me to new heights academically, professionally, and personally.
Connect with Kinsey via LinkedIn.
Or view her portfolio.