Quinnipiac University School of Communications Dean Chris Roush announced that he has decided to step down from his position on a Facebook post, Wednesday afternoon. 

Quinnipiac Provost Debra Liebowitz also sent out an email to faculty members Wednesday morning announcing Roush’s resignation. According to the email, Roush is stepping down to spend more time with his family in North Carolina. 

Effective June 30, associate dean of the School of Communications Dr. Terry Bloom will become the interim dean. In addition, associate professor of journalism Ben Bogardus will become interim associate dean of the School of Communications. 

Roush joined Quinnipiac in July 2019, making him the third dean in 10 years to resign from the School of Communications. Before coming to Quinnipiac, Roush held a few positions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for 17 years; including senior associate dean, director of the master’s program, and Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor. 

At Quinnipiac, Roush began many new initiatives to improve student experience within the School of Communications. In 2022, he launched the open-air studio for students to use and also oversaw the opening of the podcast studio. Additionally, he played a large role in raising funds for the Quinnipiac School of Communications Hall of Fame, the alumni advisory board and helped the Ability Media Organization get started at Quinnipiac in 2020. 

With the help of Roush, the university has also gained large financial support in recent years. One of the most prominent donations was the Barry Sacks scholarship, created in honor of former Quinnipiac professor Barry Sacks, who passed away earlier this year. The scholarship raised over $85,000. 

In his Facebook post, Roush said the pandemic played a role in his decision to leave the university. 

“COVID has changed many people and made them realize what’s important in life, and I’m one of them,” Roush wrote. 

According to Provost Liebowitz’s email, the university plans to conduct a national search for a new dean.