DENVER ― Jan. 26 2020 ― The Southwest Education Council for Journalism and Mass Communication (SWECJMC) today announced it has appointed Jenny Dean, Ph.D., as editor of the Southwestern Mass Communication Journal. In this role, Dean will oversee the double-blind review process, cultivate reviewers and lead the production of the online journal, published twice per year since 1982.
Dean is an assistant professor of mass communication and director of student media at Texas Wesleyan University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art and anthropology from Luther College, a master’s degree in photography from Syracuse University, a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Colorado Boulder, and a doctorate in communication and society from the University of Oregon. Before launching her career in academia, Dean served as a news designer for the Charlotte Observer and the Florida Times-Union newspapers.
“Research is crucial to the advancement of journalism and communication,” said Dean. “Working with the SWECJMC as journal editor allows me to help foster a greater body of evidence to identify industry trends, best practices and improvements to how we teach the next generation of professionals.”
Michelle Baum, president of SWECJMC, introduced this year’s Board of Directors, which includes the addition of Alec Tefertiller as vice president. Tefertiller, an assistant professor in the Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media at Baylor University, will lead the research paper competition for the 2021 Symposium that will be held this fall. Symposium details and the call for papers will be announced in April.
2021 SWECJMC Board of Directors:
- President: Michelle Baum, Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Past President: Raluca Cozma, Kansas State University
- Vice President: Alec Tefertiller, Baylor University
- Treasurer: T. Phillip Madison, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Secretary: Lauren Auverset, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Board Member: Sarah Maben, Tarleton State University
- Webmaster & Web Editor: Jon Zmikly, Texas State University
“SWECJMC brings together dedicated higher education faculty members who are passionate about exploring all realms of journalism and communication in an effort to understand their influences and to foster the next generation of leaders in these fields,” said Baum. “The SWECJMC annual conference and journal provide meaningful outlets to network and share ideas with colleagues. We are preparing for a productive year of impactful programming and camaraderie.”