Brad Rawlins named director of media and journalism college at ASU

The former top administrator at Arkansas State University’s Campus Queretaro has a new administrative position within the university system. 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 lead 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 at ASU, including as the vice rector for Arkansas State’s Campus Queretaro. He returned to Jonesboro as a professor of communications, 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.”

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.

In other school news, the newly elected president of the Student Government Association is Rashad Kirksey of Jonesboro.

Kirksey, along with the vice president and SGA executive staff for academic year 2020-21, were sworn in recently. He is a political science major.

Staff members are Mikee Olegario, cultural diversity director, an interdisciplinary studies major from Cabot; Alexa Floyd, secretary, a biological sciences/pre-medicine major from Batesville; Blake Moore, vice president, a communications disorders major from Jonesboro; Owen Leible, chief of staff, a nursing major from Jackson, Mo.; Courtney Atkins, public relations director, a marketing major from Warren; and Mary Dunn, parliamentarian, a nursing major from McGehee.

As the designated representative voice for the students, SGA strives to promote a greater understanding and cooperation with the faculty and administration. SGA works to ensure that the students realize their rights to influence academic policies on the university campus.