WSU Grad Joins External Advisory Board for the Department of Communication

Peter Van Dyke (WSU BA '03)

Peter Van Dyke is CEO of VVK, a public relations and creative agency based in Detroit, with an office in Charleston, SC, serving clients nationally. He oversees business strategy and growth for VVK's 15-person team, as well as leads public relations services for the company, which range from local nonprofits to national corporations.

Prior to forming VVVK with his partners Jamie Kaye Walters and Michael Sherman, Peter served as CEO of Van Dyke Horn Public Relations for six years. Peter and his partner Marilyn Horn acquired this firm, formerly named Berg Muirhead Associates, from its founders after 10 years of working for the agency. Under Peter's leadership, Van Dyke Horn opened an office in Lansing, doubled its staff size and tripled its revenues.

Peter is a Detroit resident and deeply involved in serving his local community. He is chair of the board of visitors for Wayne State University's College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts and on the Detroit Public Theatre executive committee. He is also on the honorary board of the Detroit Artists Market, where he served as chair.

Additionally, in 2016, Peter developed a scholarship at his alma mater, Wayne State University, to honor Van Dyke Horn agency founders Bob Berg and Georgella Muirhead. The scholarship supports the advancement of minority public relations students.

Peter has received several awards and recognitions, including his alma mater's esteemed "Alumni Achievement in Public Relations" award as well as Crain's Detroit Business's "40 under Forty" and "20 in their Twenties," and DBusiness Magazine's "30 in their Thirties."

Additionally, under his leadership, Van Dyke Horn was noted by the Small Business Association of Michigan as one of the 2019 "50 Companies to Watch in Michigan" and by Corp! Magazine as a "Diversity Focused Company" and as a "Best of Michigan Business."

The Department of Communication's newly formed external advisory board is comprised of some of the best and brightest industry professionals in the Metro Detroit area. Their goal is to aid the department in creating a relevant, engaging, and advanced curriculum for the next generation of leaders. We are honored to have multiple Wayne State grads as members of our external advisory board.