In February, Governor Gretchen Whitmer reappointed Advertising and Public Relations Professor of Practice Emeritus, Robert Kolt, to serve as a member of the Michigan Community Service Commission.
Prior to 2025, Kolt was appointed to serve as a member of the Michigan Community Service Commission to foster a culture of volunteer service by providing vision and resources that empower volunteers to strengthen communities. Kolt's reappointment will make him the longest serving chair in Michigan history.
"It's a great honor to be reappointed by the Governor and voluntarily serve the state," Professor Emeritus Kolt said. "The Michigan Community Service Commission does many big things, and it's a privilege to chair a Commission that gets things done. Serving on the Commission is one of the highest honors in state government, and Commissioners are appointed directly by the Governor to the 25-member Commission. The Commission uses service as a strategy to solve significant community problems. We are a convener, a connector and a resource generator for organizations throughout Michigan that are engaged in volunteerism service and philanthropy."
Kolt earned a Master of Arts in communication arts and sciences from MSU and a Bachelor of Applied Arts in broadcast and cinematic arts and journalism from Central Michigan University. He previously served as a board member of the Capital Region Community Foundation and as president of AARP Michigan. Kolt retired in December 2024 after 31 1/2 years teaching in the Advertising and Public Relations department.
"The job of Community Service Commission Chair involves a lot of time, work and energy," Kolt said. "I'm fortunate to have the necessary communication skills to help me serve effectively on a variety of boards and commissions in my lifetime. Anyone can and should volunteer and do something, anything. I always encourage people to do anything satisfying to be engaged and help in a community."
Kolt has been reappointed to represent experts in promoting voluntarism in older adults for a term commencing Feb. 27, 2025, and expiring Oct. 1, 2027.
"I have been active this year in recruiting others to join the Commission," he added. "Former student and now wonderful volunteer/leader Raquel Izzo McDonald, who has successfully shaped the Izzo Legacy fund, has been appointed by the Governor to join the Commission. Fellow MSU professor of Practice, TV journalist and Wharton Center public relations professional Bob Hoffman has also been appointed by Governor Whitmer to the Commission."
This story originally appeared on the Communication Arts and Sciences website.
