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The Value of Being Proactive

Dean Kandi Turley-Ames talks with ISU alumnus Stuart Summers and Professor Karen Hartman about crisis communication, Stuart’s experiences at ISU, and his insights on proactive engagement in high-stakes situations.

In this episode, ISU alumnus Stuart Summers and Professor Karen Hartman discuss how crisis communication can shape both personal and professional growth. Stuart, who completed his Master’s in Communication in December 2024, shares insights from his thesis on a 2016 crisis that impacted ISU and Pocatello—a case study that has become a textbook example of crisis management. Karen, who served on Stuart’s thesis committee, reflects on the strategies and lessons from that challenging time and the importance of proactive communication.

Now the Chief Communications and Engagement Officer at RTD in Denver, Stuart leads a team of 120 professionals in one of the country’s largest transit systems.

This is episode 3 of a podcast series featuring ISU alumni as they share their unique journeys, the impact of their education, and how ISU shaped their careers and lives around the world. Each episode dives into personal stories of triumph, challenges, and the lessons learned along the way.

Kandi Turley-Ames began her journey at Idaho State University by graduating from ISU with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1990 and a Master of Science in Psychology in 1993. She completed her Ph.D. in Psychology at Washington State University in 1996. She is a graduate of the Higher Education Resource Service for women in higher education administration. Her academic area of expertise includes memory and cognition. She has published numerous papers with colleagues and students on how strategies impact memory and higher cognitive abilities.