Meet Ennalyse Fretz, the 2026 Convocation Student Speaker!

Ennalyse Fretz is a senior at Michigan State University, majoring in Marketing and minoring in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ennalyse plans to move to Chicago after graduation to pursue a career in the media and entertainment industry.

We sat down with Ennalyse to get to know her ahead of her taking the stage at Spring Convocation on May 1, 2026.

I wanted to be the convocation student speaker because I think one of the most important things a student can hear, especially at a moment like graduation, is that they are not behind. I think so many of us spend college wondering if we are doing enough, choosing the right path, or keeping up with everyone around us, and I’ve learned that a lot of that pressure is just not true. You are more supported, more capable, and honestly, more in control of your future than you probably realize.

I really wanted the chance to say that out loud. MSU has given me such an incredible community of students, faculty, alumni, and mentors, and I think there is no better place to learn how much is possible when you actually raise your hand, ask questions, and go after opportunities before you feel fully ready. There is never going to be a perfect time. If anything, I’ve learned that perfectionism and discomfort can get in the way of the exact life you are meant to live. Some of the most meaningful parts of my college experience happened because I took three seconds of courage and did the thing that felt a little uncomfortable. I wanted to be the speaker because I know I’m not the only one who has felt that way, and I wanted to leave students and their families with a message that feels honest, grounding, and empowering as they take their next steps.

“Sometimes the opportunities that feel least familiar are the ones that show you the most about yourself.” Photo Credit: Zach Hall

One of the most impactful experiences I had was studying abroad for International Advertising in Australia and New Zealand through the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. I was the only student from a different college on that program, and at first that felt unfamiliar and a little intimidating. But that experience ended up being one of the clearest moments in my college career where I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be. The people, industry, and world experiences were all amazing. It reminded me that sometimes the opportunities that feel least familiar are the ones that show you the most about yourself. I had been waiting for that feeling of knowing I was on the right path, and it came from stepping outside of what already felt comfortable.

I’ve also really loved the moments that came through mentorship, leadership, and community. Being able to mentor other students, whether professionally or personally, has meant so much to me. I care a lot about helping people feel encouraged and capable, and those relationships are the kind that stay with you long after MSU. Some of my favorite memories are also just the daily ones, like spending hours in the Minskoff Pavilion, laughing with friends, walking around campus, going to leadership events and workshops, and getting to celebrate milestones with other student leaders who became some of the most important people in my life.

Photo Credit: Zach Hall

My favorite classes were MKT 302 Consumer Behavior with Professor Jorge Peña-Marin and MKT 475 Brand Marketing with Steve Nottingham.

Consumer Behavior was the class that really made me fall in love with marketing. I loved learning about how people think, how they make decisions, how they perceive brands, and how psychology influences so much of what we do. It made marketing feel deeper and more human to me, and that class really helped me realize that this was the field I was genuinely excited about.

Brand Marketing was also one of my favorites because it felt so close to real industry experience. We worked on a real client case, used tools like social listening and SEO research, and got exposure to the kind of work that feels similar to an agency environment. Since the course was taught by a professor of practice with real industry experience, it felt practical in a way that really stuck with me. Both of those classes helped me feel like I was not just learning concepts, but actually building the skills and perspective I wanted to carry into my career.

Definitely the Minskoff Pavilion, but also some very quiet corners of the Broad College of Business that I will not be giving away. I also loved finding spots along Grand River, especially when I wanted to get out and reset a little. Another one of my favorite places was actually the MSU Auditorium building. I love the older feel of it, and sitting in the balcony area or on the benches there was such a peaceful place to think.

Photo Credit: Zach Hall

I’ve been involved in several organizations during my time at MSU. I served on the executive board of the MSU Marketing Association for three years, first as Director of Membership, then President, and now Co-President. I’m also a scholar in the Dashney Women’s Leadership Accelerator, a student ambassador for the Broad Marketing Leadership Advisory Board, was part of the marketing team for VIM Fashion Magazine, and a member of Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity. Each one gave me something different, but all of them helped shape the way I lead, connect with people, and think about the kind of impact I want to have.

My biggest takeaway from MSU is that there is never going to be a perfect time to do something, so you cannot let perfectionism or discomfort make decisions for you. I think some of the biggest changes in my life happened when I stopped waiting to feel fully ready and just did the thing anyway.

Every time I chose the opportunity that pushed me a little outside my comfort zone, whether that was applying for something, introducing myself to someone, stepping into leadership, or saying yes to something unfamiliar, my whole experience changed for the better. That does not mean it was always easy. A lot of it felt uncomfortable at first. But I’ve learned that discomfort is not always a sign that something is wrong. A lot of times, it is a sign that something is growing. I’ve also learned that you have so much more control and ability to create the life you want than you think you do. MSU is such a powerful place to discover that. There is no better environment to try, fail, learn, lead, and grow surrounded by people who genuinely want to help you succeed.

Photo Credit: Zach Hall

After graduation, I will be moving to Chicago to continue building my career in the media and entertainment industry. I’m looking forward to taking everything MSU has given me, from leadership experience to creative and strategic skills, and using it in a space that feels both exciting and meaningful to me.

Just as important to me, though, is staying connected to MSU and continuing to give back. So much of who I am and what I’ve been able to do is because people here invested in me, encouraged me, and opened doors for me, and I want to be able to do the same for others.

Wherever I go next, that will stay a really important part of my life!

Ennalyse will be taking the stage as the Student Convocation Speaker on May 1, 2026. See the full commencement schedule at the commencement webpage.