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. She is also the founding Artistic Director of Inquiry Arts, a new initiative dedicated to fusing art, science, and culture.
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 The MSU Museum and ArtPrize to engage the public in meaningful and memorable experiences across art 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. Though on a short hiatus, she is a student at Urban Glass in New York City where she studies neon sign making, exploring its utilization in fine art.
Katherine is an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and the descendant of Irish and German immigrants.
Sonya Buckner
Public Programs Specialist
Sonya Demetria Buckner is from Battle Creek, MI, by way of Los Angeles, CA, where she has lived and worked in entertainment most of her life. From performing with national touring play productions, to working for Black Entertainment Televisions- Action Pay Per View, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, and Corporate Communications for seven years, and many other media conglomerates, Sonya has honed her craft in media relations. She possesses over 20 years experience as an event specialist, writer, publicist and marketing professional. She has worked in the entertainment industry as a media consultant, and partnering manager for entertainment attorneys, actors, athletes, musicians, and producers, Sonya has worked with a number of community organizations on the west coast, such as Union Rescue Mission, Boys and Girls Club, 826LA, and Los Angeles Music and Art School (LAMusArt). As an event specialist, marketing ,and public relations professional, Sonya has successfully launched and spearheaded campaigns and initiatives for various organizations and entities. Her creativity, event, and leadership skills have been instrumental in the success of numerous events such Black Entertainment Awards Show, B.E.T. Celebration Of Gospel and Rainbow Promotions with The Long Beach Jazz Festival. In addition, she's worked with talent and talent management with Rogers and Cowan Public Relations for The Grammys, The American Music Awards and the Soul Train Awards. Sonya is a graduate of Michigan State University where she holds an MA in Advertising and Public Relations. Sonya enjoys community work and dedicates her time to various projects and events that enrich the lives of others especially in the area of arts, culture, entertainment and youth.
Zoe Pozios
Public Programs Assistant
Zoe Pozios is a fourth-year undergraduate student in Lyman Briggs College and the Honors College, double majoring in Human Biology and Genomics and Molecular Genetics with minors in Bioethics and Leadership in Integrated Learning. Zoe has been involved with the MSU Science Festival as a presenter and student assistant and will be returning this year as a public programs assistant. She is passionate about the advancement of biotechnology in medicine, as well as the integration of leadership in science. Zoe aims to carry these values with her into a future career as a physician specializing in medical genetics.
Leah Lindemeyer
Communications Assistant
Leah Lindemeyer is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a degree in communication along with minors in public relations and media photography. She encourages exploring your curiosities and loves traveling. Beyond her involvement in the MSU Science Festival, Leah is a writer and editor for Her Campus MSU and Public Relations Chair for the MSU water ski team.
Hazel Anderson
Administrative Assistant
Hazel is a M.S. student in Integrative Biology & Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program funded through the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program and as a teaching assistant for the MSU Center for Integrative Studies in General Science. She completed her B.S. at Michigan State University in Environmental Biology/Plant Biology with a minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies in 2021. As a scientist, her current research is focused on investigating patterns of plant and frugivore (birds and mammals that eat fruits) biodiversity in the Tropical Andes at various spatial scales using open, large databases. She is also passionate about science communication, encouraging public engagement with science, and increasing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in STEAM.
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
- 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
- Ghada Georgis
- Associate Director, 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
- 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
- Fiscal and Human Resources Officer for University Outreach and Engagement
- Administrative Associate II/S, Outreach Administration, University Outreach and Engagement
- Mark Szymczak
- Information Technologist I, Communication and Information Technology, University Outreach and Engagement
- Information Technologist I, Client Experience, MSU Information Technology Services