New search starts for journalism dean

After a seven-month search that resulted in an interim dean, the search for a more permanent School of Journalism and Mass Communication dean kicked back into gear Tuesday afternoon.

The newly established search committee gathered for its first meeting to discuss pursuing applicants for the open position.

The group discussed several aspects of the search, including qualifications for the position, budget for advertising the post and a timeline for the interviewing process.

The committee also plans to make changes to the search process to use time more efficiently.

“We will release the position description hopefully by July, to begin the application process,” said Bernadette Gray-Little, chairwoman of the committee and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Committee members, which include journalism school faculty, students and outside faculty professionals, agreed that the new dean should embrace the school’s roots while continuing to push the faculty and students to maintain the school’s national prominence.

Gray-Little said she hopes all applicants will be contacted by August. The committee will then narrow the pool of candidates throughout the fall semester.

Many committee members expressed frustration with the length of the previous search.

Don Curtis, a journalism school alumnus and committee member who also served on the previous search committee, said there were problems with the past process.

“The last search was so long,” he said. “At times I felt disconnected.”

Committee members said they are hopeful that all final candidates will be chosen by the end of the fall semester. The names of the candidates will be announced at that time.

The committee plans to advertise the position nationally as well as internally to the University faculty.

“We cannot afford to overlook any possible candidates,” said committee member Cathy Packer, an associate professor in the journalism school.

To leave no stone unturned, the committee discussed the option of hiring a professional search firm to assist the committee in identifying, evaluating and pursuing candidates.

Tom Bowers, senior associate dean of the journalism school, has been named the interim dean of the School, effective July 1.

He has made it clear that he intends to retire at the end of the academic year.

“The school is in good hands as we continue our search,” Provost Robert Shelton said.

Bowers will replace Richard Cole, who has served as dean for 26 years.

A second search committee was formed because Gerald Baldasty, chairman of the communications department at the University of Washington and the leading candidate from the previous search, rejected UNC’s offer in March.

The search committee plans to meet again within the next week to review the position description, establish a firm timeline and decide if it wants to pursue outside help through a search firm.

“We have a great group gathered here,” Shelton said. “I’m sure the committee’s analysis will end with great results.”

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.