The Nevada Sagebrush

With more than 40 applicants for the journalism dean position, search committee members said they have a large, diverse pool to choose from.

The Reynolds School of Journalism began the dean search in the summer and hopes to have the position filled by January, search committee members said.

“We’re moving forward with that assumption in place,” said David Ryfe, a committee member and associate professor for the journalism school.

William Sparkman, College of Education dean and chair of the search committee, said the committee extended the deadline so they could have more diverse and qualified people come forward.

“The committee is really committed to finding the best candidate for dean to build on the success of the (journalism) school,” Sparkman said.

Some search committee members said they are pleased with the number of qualified applicants that applied for the position.

“We have a great pool of candidates and we’re very excited about bringing some of these people in and hearing more about how they would lead us forward,” said Ryfe, a journalism professor. “The fact that we were able to attract so many applicants speaks well for us.”

Journalism faculty members said they have high expectations for the incoming dean and consider that in the final selection.

“The perfect candidate for us, for dean, would have a vision for the future and appreciate the need for flexibility in a changing media world,” said Rosemary McCarthy, interim journalism dean.

The new dean would have experience in the journalism field and in the academic setting, she said.

Ryfe said the committee is looking for a candidate who is innovative and will build on the foundation former dean Cole Campbell established. Campbell died in a car accident in January.

Sparkman said the committee is interested in someone who is diverse, enthusiastic and has a passion for journalism education.

According to the Journalism Web site, the new dean will have the responsibility to find three new faculty members for the journalism school. Other responsibilities include revising the undergraduate curriculum to embrace the challenges of a changing media world and expand the master’s program.

University officials have not sent out formal letters narrowing down the candidate pool and hope to have final recommendations finalized by mid-October, Sparkman said. The recommendations will be sent to the provost and President Milton Glick for final approval.