Festival Team
Katherine Hagman Prokopchuk
Science Festival Coordinator
Katherine Prokopchuk is an artist, educator, and creative events producer reveling in the spaces where scientific and artistic inquiry collide. Fueled by an eternal curiosity of the world around her, Katherine works alongside the MSU Science Festival to design and facilitate educational experiences in the STEAM disciplines for both public and K12 audiences throughout Michigan.
Katherine received her BA in Art History and Visual Culture with a specialization in Museum Studies at Michigan State University, as well as a MA in Arts and Cultural Management. In the past, she has worked with organizations such as Pleasant Peninsula, ArtPrize, and the MSU Museum to engage the public in meaningful and memorable experiences across art, science, and culture. Katherine was also selected as a Native American Fellow in 2021 at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA. As an artist, Katherine explores light, shadow, space, and form while working with paper, fiber, glass, and found objects.
Lauren Froman
Public Programs Specialist
Lauren is an experienced event professional with a diverse portfolio that spans from managing small intimate gatherings to internationally-known large-scale events. She has contributed her skills to organizations such as the Sundance Film Festival and ArtPrize with the goal of giving people platforms to educate and tell their stories. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Business from Grand Valley State University, she brings a well-rounded background in communications, logistics, and team management to every project she takes on. Her expertise also includes working in social media management and the entertainment production industries.
A passionate advocate for the arts, health, fitness, and the environment, Lauren channels her love for these causes into her work and personal life. She is a dedicated supporter of Make-A-Wish Michigan as a Wish Granter and helped pioneer The Grateful Team, a group of cyclists and recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) West Michigan Chapter. Her commitment to giving back is reflected in the projects she takes on. Whether managing social media or bringing her vision to life in event production, Lauren is driven by creativity, community, and purpose.
Sydney Sharon
Public Programs Assistant
Sydney Sharon is a fourth-year undergraduate student in the College of Natural Science and the Honors College, studying Biomedical Laboratory Science with a minor in Leadership in Integrated Learning. She is currently applying to Ph.D. programs in Microbiology & Immunology, with aspirations to work at the CDC developing and optimizing vaccinations. Outside of her involvement with the MSU Science Festival, Sydney is the Student Director of the Bailey Scholars Program, an Event Coordinator for the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Student Association (BLDSA), and a member of MSU's The Challenge.
Lexi Testa
Volunteer Program Assistant
Lexi Testa is the Assistant Volunteer Coordinator for the MSU Science Festival. Professionally she is passionate about planning and executing events, personally she has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys skiing, fishing, and seeking new adventures. A proud graduate of Michigan State University, she earned her degree in Hospitality Business in Fall 2024. When she's not exploring nature, she loves spending time with her pet tortoise, Oogway
Katie Quinlan
Community Science Program Assistant
Katie is a Master’s student in the Earth and Environmental Sciences and a graduate student in Museum Studies. She’s researching the chemistry and microbiology of Michigan groundwater and hopes to present her thesis and research to a diverse audience through a museum exhibit. She participated in SciFest 2024 as an intern and presented hand-picked examples of Michigan’s fossils and how to find them. This year, she hopes to promote community science through projects like BioBlitz by engaging communities around Michigan to explore the world around them and engage with the environment.
Core Consulting Team
- Burton Bargerstock
- Executive Director, Office for Public Engagement and Scholarship, University Outreach and Engagement
- Director, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement
- Affiliated Faculty, MSU Digital Humanities, College of Arts and Letters
- Ghada Georgis
- Associate Director, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement
- Julie Crowgey
- Project Administrator, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement
- Mike Davis
- Graphic Artist III, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement
- Kelly Hansen
- Graphic Artist III, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement
- Carl Raymond
- Information Technologist II, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement
Logistics Team
University Outreach and Engagement
- Emma Christensen
- Information Technology Professional, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement
- Information Technology Professional, Client Experience, MSU Information Technology Services
- Cindy Helms
- Administrative Assistant I, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement
- Paul Phipps
- Information Technology Professional, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement
- Information Technology Professional, Client Experience, MSU Information Technology Services
- Brad Smith
- Information Technologist I, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement
- Kathleen Smith
- Chief of Staff, University Outreach and Engagement