The Department of Mass Media at Southeast Missouri State University is proud to present the fourth annual See Me Series, with this year’s theme being “Hidden Figures.” Inspired by the influential 2016 film, "Hidden Figures" made a significant cultural impact and sparked conversations about the contributions of hidden figures in various fields.

The movie tells the remarkable story of three African American women who made vital contributions to NASA’s space missions despite facing both racial and gender-based challenges. Their work as mathematicians and engineers was instrumental in John Glenn's successful orbit of the Earth and has since inspired discussions about similar "hidden figures" in various industries.

The event will feature a distinguished panel of SEMO faculty and students, who will provide insights and engage in film discussions related to the piece and its broader implications. Panelists include:

• Dr. Tamara Zellars Buck, Chair and Professor of the Department of Mass Media
• Dr. Vera Campbell-Jones, Associate Professor of Nursing
• Fred Jones, Film Professor
• Kendal Lewis, Multimedia TV/Film Major and Sports Management Minor
• Leola Poe, Junior Public Relations & Marketing Student

The panel will be moderated by Dr. Pam Parry, Public Relations Professor.

"I have been pleased with the participation we've seen in the See Me Series since its inception. The interdisciplinary nature of the program makes it an opportunity for faculty from different disciplines to incorporate media topics into their coursework," said Dr. Tamara Zellars Buck, a panelist in this year's discussion. "In particular, I love how this year's film demonstrates the impact public relations has on public perception. Corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations are all reconsidering their treatment of people from marginalized identities and finding new ways to connect with those communities. This film discussion allows us to have a public conversation about that using the film as our starting point."

For further exploration on this topic, consider these additional resources:

• Interview with Katherine Johnson on Kanopy: View Interview
• Podcast on Hidden Figures in Public Relations History: Listen to Podcast

This event is free and open to the public.