Rawlins Named Director of School of Media and Journalism
JONESBORO – Dr. Brad Rawlins, who has served as the interim director of the School of Media and Journalism at Arkansas State University for the last year, has been named to the position on a permanent basis.
Formed early in 2019, the School of Media and Journalism encompasses programs previously in the Department of Media as well as student media and public radio assets of the college.
“I am thankful that Brad has accepted the role of leading our School of Media and Journalism,” said Dr. Carl Cates, dean, College of Liberal Arts and Communication. “It’s important to have someone with such a strong background in administration for our school and prepare it for the heightened visibility we’re planning for signature programs of Arkansas State.”
Rawlins will provide leadership for the academic programs in multimedia journalism, creative media production, KASU radio, printing services and student media, including The Herald (student newspaper, ASU-TV, Red Wolf Radio and the Delta Digital News service.
He has served in several administrative roles for A-State, including as the vice rector for Arkansas State’s Campus Queretaro. He returned to Jonesboro as a professor of communication, taking the spring 2019 semester as a sabbatical to work on research and his resumption of classroom duties.
“The school accomplished quite a bit this last year and I’m grateful that the faculty and university leadership have confidence in me to continue our combined efforts to reinforce our reputation as one of the best media and journalism programs in the country,” Rawlins said. “The faculty continue to amaze me. For example, their preparation and quick transition to teaching classes online during the COVID-19 situation demonstrates their professionalism, commitment to students and innovation.
“I look forward to what we’ll be able to accomplish with our talented students, and deep ties in the industry thanks to our illustrious alumni, and committed faculty. It’s a full-time job just keeping up with all of them!”
Rawlins was previously the dean of the College of Media and Communication before it was merged with two other colleges as part of the university’s effort to be more efficient and promote cross-disciplinary synergy. Rawlins has two Bachelor of Arts degrees from Washington State University, one in communications and one in foreign languages and literature (Spanish). He earned a Master of Arts degree in advertising and public relations and a Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of Alabama.
Rawlins also has extensive national connections in media and journalism, having served as the president of the Association of Schools in Journalism and Mass Communication, a two-term member of the Accrediting Committee of the Accrediting Council for Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication, and currently serves on several editorial boards of journalism and communication scholarly journals.
