Students at Winona State University completed a groundbreaking project in collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office in Minnesota, creating a new online resource that aims to help Minnesotans identify and protect themselves from misinformation and fake news.
Under the guidance of Professor Liberty Kohn, the students compiled a comprehensive report and developed key safety information now available on the Attorney General’s official website. The work was completed as past of the Fall 2024 English 472 seminar, a course focused on misinformation.
“English 472 requires students to undertake deep interdisciplinary research, examining misinformation across various sectors, including politics, science, and medicine,” said Kohn. “The students also explore the historical context of rhetoric and misinformation.”
As part of their final project, students worked closely with the Attorney General’s office to ensure that their materials aligned with the website’s tone and content style, which primarily focuses on consumer protection from fraud and scams. The project represents the first time the Attorney General’s office has provided public information specifically addressing the growing problem of misinformation.
“The AG’s website is mainly focused on consumer protection, and in this case, misinformation had to be treated similarly to scams. The students and I worked hard to ensure that the materials we developed were clear, non-partisan, and accessible to all Minnesotans,” said Kohn. “Through this experience, students gained invaluable insight into public-sector collaboration and the real-world implications of academic research.”
Misinformation is a pressing issue in today’s digital world, said Kohn. The project also involved an important discussion about the ethical responsibility of combating misinformation in a way that respects diverse political views. Students were careful to ensure their writing was neutral and free from political bias, knowing that misinformation can affect individuals across all political affiliations.
“Delving into the world of mis and disinformation was fascinating, and I walked away from this project with tools to combat them,” said Emma Watson, a Communication Arts and Literature Teaching major from Cannon Falls, Minn. “It was an honor to write for the attorney general on a topic so many people fall victim to. We built our skills throughout the semester to figure out how to best deliver the message and warnings about mis and disinformation and went through several drafts of the document. I’m proud of what we accomplished, and it’s really cool to be involved with something so important.”
Elida Roskamp, an Applied and Professional Writing major from Glencoe, Minn., shared her thoughts: “This project was really interesting. It taught us to identify misinformation and why people fall for it – lack of media literacy, believable facts, near-correct information, etc. Before this class and before this project, I had some idea when it came to misinformation and disproving it, but now, I feel much more confident in my abilities to both identify and also fight misinformation.”
Jenifer Frick, an Applied and Professional Writing major from Winona, Minn., added, “It was wonderful opportunity to work for the Attorney General and spread this very important information. Misinformation is constantly spreading in the media and I’m glad that I could be part of helping people understand what misinformation is and how to be less susceptible to it.”
In addition to the project’s academic value, the collaboration with the Attorney General’s office underscores Winona State University’s commitment to providing students with meaningful opportunities for public-sector engagement. This initiative exemplifies the university’s dedication to producing high-caliber students who are prepared to contribute to society in meaningful ways.
The final report, along with helpful tips on protecting oneself from misinformation, can be found on the Attorney General’s website here: Minnesota AG – Misinformation. https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Misinformation/
About Winona State University
Founded in 1858, Winona State University is a comprehensive, regional public university with campuses in Winona and Rochester. The oldest member of the Minnesota State system, WSU offers more than 80 undergraduate, pre-professional, licensure, graduate and doctorate programs in five colleges: Business, Education, Liberal Arts, Nursing & Health Sciences, and Science & Engineering.
Winona State is ranked among the Top 30 universities in the Midwest region (U.S. News and World Report, 2024-25) and has been named among the “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review for more than 20 consecutive years. The University generates $447.9 million in economic impact for the region per year. The university’s mission is to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic vitality of the people and communities it serves: a community of learners improving our world. For more information, visit winona.edu.
