Kjerstin Thorson

Kjerstin Thorson serves as the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Colorado State University, a position she assumed on August 1, 2024. Previously, she was the Brandt Endowed Professor of Political Communication and Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives at Michigan State University’s College of Communication Arts & Sciences. An internationally recognized scholar, her research centers on digital platforms and their impact on civic life and culture.

Her educational background includes:

• BA in English from Macalester College
• MA in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia
• PhD in Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Thorson's research explores the intersection of digital media, political communication, and civic engagement. She investigates how social media platforms shape political participation, news consumption, and civic discourse, with a particular focus on young adults and historically marginalized communities. Her work addresses critical issues such as equity in digital civic infrastructure, the role of algorithms in political exposure, and the dynamics of online moderation and community governance. She examines both the empowering potentials and the challenges of digital media for democratic participation.

Her recent publications (2023-2025) reveal a sustained investigation into platform governance, volunteer moderation, and the urban-rural divide in digital civic engagement. She also delves into Gen Z's civic behaviors, the spread of misinformation, and the evolving landscape of political learning on social media. Her work often employs mixed-methods approaches, combining digital trace data with surveys to understand complex media effects.

Thorson has received notable recognition for her contributions:

• Michigan State University’s Teacher-Scholar Award
• 2022-2023 Fellow of the Big 10 Academic Alliance Leadership Program

Her research has been supported by prestigious organizations including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Social Science Research Council, and the Spencer Foundation. In her administrative roles, she has prioritized student success through initiatives like the Ignite the Future program, which supports first-generation and marginalized students, and has championed faculty development through the creation of a Center for Teaching and Learning. While specific advisees are not listed, her leadership in student success programs underscores her commitment to mentoring.

Under her leadership at Michigan State University, the College of Communication Arts & Sciences expanded its revenue-generating partnerships, created a college-wide Center for Teaching and Learning, launched the Ignite the Future family of programs, and grew the esports initiative. She has also focused on improving culture and climate through promotion pathways for non-tenure track faculty, climate surveys, and community-building events.