Kelly Gaggin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Interim Director of Strategic Communication M.A. Program
Dr. Gaggin is an assistant professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. She has more than two decades of experience in corporate and agency environments encompassing a multitude of industries including: education, health care, technology, defense, nonprofit, tourism/hospitality and financial services/banking.
Her professional background and personal interest in world cultures motivate a research agenda rooted in exploring public relations and strategic communications as drivers of cross-cultural understanding and relationship-building with special attention to nonprofit organizations and the populations they serve. She earned a Ph.D. in mass communications and an M.S. in communications management from Syracuse University, and completed her undergraduate study in business administration, marketing and economics at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY.
Program Overview
Build the leadership communication skills organizations demand. Michigan State University's Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership Communication prepares professionals to lead teams, drive change, and navigate workplace dynamics with strategic communication expertise. Complete this specialized three-course certificate (9 credits) in less than one year while working full-time—100% online and asynchronously.
The program combines organizational communication theory with practical leadership application, equipping you to manage conflict, build consensus, facilitate performance conversations, and lead change initiatives. You'll learn frameworks used by Fortune 500 companies to build high-performing teams and collaborative work cultures.
What makes this certificate valuable? Communication and leadership are consistently ranked as the most critical skills for career advancement. This certificate gives you the competencies managers need to succeed in senior leadership roles.
Who is this for? Mid-career professionals transitioning into management, current managers seeking to strengthen leadership communication, HR professionals, team leads, and aspiring executives. Credits earned can be applied toward MSU’s online M.A. in Strategic Communication if you decide to continue.
Program Highlights
- Top-Ranked program: MSU's College of Communication Arts and Sciences is nationally ranked in communication and media studies
- 100% online and asynchronous: No campus visits required; complete coursework on your schedule
- Big Ten Network: Join MSU's 600,000+ alumni network spanning all 50 states and 140+ countries
Program Outcomes
What will you learn in the Organizational Leadership Communication Certificate? Leadership communication skills are essential for career advancement into management and executive roles. With your Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership Communication from Michigan State, you will be prepared to:
- Build consensus and lead strategic decision-making across teams and departments
- Navigate and resolve workplace conflict using evidence-based communication strategies
- Conduct effective performance evaluations that motivate employees and drive results
- Build and lead high-performing teams through communication and collaboration
- Lead organizational change initiatives with clear, compelling messaging
- Create collaborative, entrepreneurial work cultures through strategic communication
- Onboard and socialize new hires to accelerate integration and productivity
- Communicate across organizational levels from frontline employees to C-suite executives
Career Impact
Graduates leverage this certificate to transition from individual contributor to management roles, advance from supervisor to director-level positions, or pivot into organizational development and HR leadership. Employers specifically seek professionals who combine technical expertise with strong leadership communication skills—this certificate provides both.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 29th among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
- Veteran-Friendly 'Gold Status' 10 Years in a Row — Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2025
- #1 in Online Graduate Programs for General Management — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
- #1 in Online Graduate Programs for Leadership — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
- #1 in Online Graduate Programs for Organizational Behavior — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$978.25
$978.25
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.