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Chris Roush began working as the new dean for the School of Communications on Monday. He was previously the director of the Carolina Business News Initiative and a professor at the University of North Carolina. He is replacing former dean of the School of Communications, Mark Contreras.

College of Arts and Sciences dean and search committee chair, Bob Smart, praised Roush as the choice for dean.

“Chris’ clear sense of vision and mission for the School of Communications, coupled with his commitment to a collaborative and transparent leadership style, made him the ideal candidate to lead the school,” Smart said.

Roush’s work at the Carolina Business News Initiative included providing training for both professional journalists and UNC students. Many of his former students work for media outlets across the nation.

“Journalism is more relevant than ever before,” Roush said. “We’re seeing major changes in the way journalism delivers content as it shifts from print to online, and digital and mobile platforms. But the influence journalists have on politics, business and other areas of society has never been more important.”

Among other accomplishments, Roush was named “Journalism Teacher of the Year” by the Scripps Howard Foundation and the Association for Education in Journalism and was recognized as the “North Carolina Professor of the Year.” Roush holds a master’s degree in mass communication from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in history and journalism from Auburn University. 

Dean Roush will already be present as School of Communications students return to Quinnipiac for the Fall 2019. Former Dean Contreras resigned early this year on March 4, with Terry Bloom having filled in for him as Interim Dean prior to Roush being hired and beginning his term.