Judith Rosenbaum-Andre to serve as next dean of the KU School of Journalism & Mass Communications
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has selected Judith Rosenbaum-Andre, associate dean for faculty affairs and administration in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Maine, as the next dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications.
Rosenbaum-Andre is also the chair of the Department of Communication and Journalism and a professor of media studies.
She will start her new position July 19.
“Judith is deeply experienced with developing faculty and student success, and she has been dedicated to teaching, learning and discovery throughout her career,” Chief Academic Officer and Provost Arash Mafi said. “I’m certain she will continue to build upon the success of the school and navigate them through the challenges of a constantly evolving field.”
As dean of the School of Journalism & Mass Communications, Rosenbaum-Andre will serve as its chief academic and administrative officer, leading the school through a rapidly changing higher education and media landscape. She will work with the community and other stakeholders to advance the school’s strategic priorities as well as strengthen its research, scholarship and creative activities.
Along with ensuring fiscal, operational and accreditation stewardship, Rosenbaum-Andre will also promote innovation and academic excellence, lead fundraising and resource development, and help recruit and support faculty, staff and students.
“I am incredibly honored to join KU and to lead the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications,” Rosenbaum-Andre said. “What makes this opportunity so exciting is the people and their commitment to excellence in teaching, research and creativity, as well as their passion for the field of journalism and mass communications. The minute I walked into Stauffer-Flint I could feel the spark of creativity, innovation and collaboration among the students, faculty and staff. There was a true sense of community that is key to the school’s continued success.”
Rosenbaum-Andre will assume responsibilities from Scott Reinardy, who has served as interim dean since August. He is additionally the Malcolm Applegate Professor in News Management and Editing and will return to the faculty.
“I appreciate Scott’s leadership and willingness to serve the school during this period,” Mafi said. “I am grateful for his dedication not only over the past year but throughout his career at the university. I would also like to thank the search committee for their time and efforts to the search process.”
In her current role as associate dean, Rosenbaum-Andre has created infrastructures for faculty success, establishing mentoring partnerships, organizing research and pedagogical workshops, and facilitating cross-disciplinary research and teaching efforts. As department chair, she has spearheaded curricular revisions, helped secure funding for research and classroom activities, managed the department’s internship program, and led the development and implementation of assessment strategies to enhance student success.
Rosenbaum-Andre previously held leadership roles at Albany State University in Georgia, including president of the Faculty Senate and chair of the Institutional Review Board. She also worked as a research facilitator for a $4.3 million National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities-funded project. Rosenbaum-Andre currently serves as head of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication’s Communication Theory and Methodology division.
Her research centers on understanding digital and entertainment media use as well as its impact on individuals and society at large.
Rosenbaum-Andre earned her doctorate and master’s in mass communications from Radboud University in the Netherlands.
“The school has a long history of preparing future media practitioners,” Rosenbaum-Andre said. “It has shown an amazing ability to adapt to changes in the field while holding on to its core values. As a leader, I like to open doors, physically and metaphorically. I’m looking forward to working with the faculty, staff and students to cultivate opportunities and build resilience and flexibility. The school has a long tradition of internal collaboration and external bridge-building that strengthens our scholarship, student success and our national reputation. It’s exciting to be part of this story.”
The School of Journalism & Mass Communications is a nationally recognized leader in journalism and strategic communications education, preparing students for careers in media, digital marketing, advertising and public relations.