Carol Pardun becomes President, Plans “lively” future for AEJMC

October 1, 2009 — Dr. Carol J. Pardun succeeds Barbara Hines, Howard, as the 91st* President of AEJMC.

Pardun is the director of the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Prior to her appointment at USC, Pardun was the director of the School of Journalism at Middle Tennessee State University from August 2005 through July 2008. She has held faculty positions at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1997-2005) and Kansas State University (1992-97).

Pardun sits on the editorial boards of Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Journalism and Communication Monographs, Journal of Media & Religion, Simile, Mass Communication & Society, and Journal of Advertising. She was the co-principal investigator with Jane Brown (UNC-Chapel Hill) from 2001-06 for a $2.6 million grant investigating the impact of the media on adolescents’ sexual attitudes and behavior funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Pardun’s research has been published in the Journal of Early Adolescent Research, Pediatrics, Newspaper Research Journal, Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Journal of Advertising Research, Public Relations Review, and elsewhere. Her current research investigates the prevalence of co-existing messages of nutrition and physical activity in entertainment programming, and advertising aimed at young elementary school-aged children. Her new book, Advertising and Society: Controversies and Consequences, is published by Wiley-Blackwell.

Pardun holds a PhD from the University of Georgia in mass communications, an MA from Wheaton (IL) College Graduate School in communications, and a BA in English Literature from Wheaton College.

CONTACT: University of South Carolina, Office: (803) 777-3244 E-mail: pardunc@mailbox.sc.edu

*Historical records indicate no sitting president or convention from 1918-20. Additionally, several presidents served two consecutive terms, including: Merle Thorpe, Kansas, 1914-16; Ralph L. Crossman, Colorado, 1932-34; Charles L. Allen, Northwestern, 1939-41; Douglas W. Miller, Syracuse, 1942-44; and Frederic E. Merwin, Rutgers, 1944-46, making Pardun the 91st person elected to lead AEJMC.

The Future of AEJMC

To help kick off the new year, we sat down with Carol and asked her to share some of her thoughts and plans for AEJMC during her term as president.

How do you plan to strengthen the voice for journalism and mass communication education?

We are already on the way. The Strategic Plan Implementation Committee has spearheaded some early initiatives that I plan to champion as well. The first is the Presidential Advisory Council, which is tasked with helping the President speak out on important issues facing journalism and mass communication. We have already met via conference call and several emails as we sorted through the kinds of issues worthy of an official statement. These conversations have been lively!

I invite all AEJMC members to contact me directly (803-777-4979 or pardunc@mailbox.sc.edu) or any members of the Advisory Council (Marie Hardin, Paul Lester and Julianne Newton) if you have issues that you’d like us to explore.

How do you plan to support research and creative activity?

Putting the right people in the right positions at the right time is one concrete way I can support research and creative activity. I was able to appoint three people to the publications committee and I’m happy that I was able to recruit productive, energetic, visionary scholars for that role. Again, making sure that the committee members for the new AEJMC Scholars Program are all capable scholars is another way to assure that we are supporting research and creative activity.

Finally, I’ll be traveling a good bit this year in order to support scholarly activity. I’ve decided to attend a number of regional conferences so I’ll have a better chance to talk with young academics and graduate students. In mid-October, for example, I’m going to the District II and III BEA conference. In March, I’ll attend AEJMC’s Southeast Colloquium. Also in the spring, I’ll head to LSU to participate in awarding the first Equity & Diversity Award to the Journalism School there. Talk about creative activity! The faculty and administrators at LSU have done an excellent job in developing initiatives that support equity and diversity.

In your campaign platform, you spoke of “small, evolutionary changes” having big payoffs, citing examples like “Members’ Meetings” and “High Density Sessions.” What changes, small or big, do you hope to institute during your term as president?

The longer I’ve been in administration the more I have come to understand that what really excites me is figuring out how to make things better–because no matter how solid an organization is, it can always get better. So, with this “look inside first” approach, one thing I am planning to do (and have already begun) is to create a task force to examine our bylaws and see what ought to be changed in order for us to work more effectively as an organization.

Another change is to create an environment that will help our members to think of AEJMC as a place to connect to for the long haul. With our Centennial fast approaching, it’s time for us to think about what AEJMC has meant to us–and what we can do to assure its next 100 years. To that end, I’ve created a task force to look at ways to promote opportunities for stronger, demonstrable connections to AEJMC, such as the possibility of lifetime memberships, donor levels, etc.

Also in your campaign platform, you described yourself as an “observer,” a “defender” and an “optimist.” Please share one thing about AEJMC you’ve observed that you feel needs changing.

The urge to reinvent the wheel. It is frustrating to me that I continue to hear about things we do, that in reality, are things we haven’t done in years. For example, there is a residual legacy that the chip auction at the December meeting is a “free for all,” everyone battling positions, wrestling over chips, etc. It’s not like that AT ALL. Because our leadership rolls over so quickly, I can understand how this enduring myth continues, but we all have to work harder to make sure we’re communicating to those we’re working with now and those who will take over the work when we move on.

Please see Everything You Want to Know About “Chips” by Sue O’Brien and Glen Bleske, 2002-03, Revised 2008.

Please share one thing you’ll protect from changing.

The Council of Divisions always has been the heartbeat of AEJMC. This won’t change. But, in the midst of strategic plan initiatives–when we’re talking about change–it’s easy to understand if people wonder what might happen to the Council. Many people know that I attribute my role within the CoD as what gave me the experience and credentials to lead AEJMC this year. So, while this might be stating the obvious, I want to assure the entire membership that our commitment to the Council of Divisions is sacrosanct.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind once your term is complete in September 2010?

What’s great about this organization is that there have been many different kinds of presidents who have left behind different kinds of legacies. All are different, but all important. We can thank past presidents for focusing on internationalization, others on increasing diversity awareness, others on creating strong ties with our profession. I look back and realize that those were issues that bubbled up at just the right time–and I’m thankful those people were there to lead the way.

We are at a crossroads now in the academy, in our economy, and in our media organizations. It’s not a time to be timid, but a time to value what’s important, leave behind what is unnecessary, and hold our heads high, assured that we are engaged in an essential profession. The legacy that I hope to leave behind is that people will say AEJMC has not only weathered the storm swirling around the media and media education today, but that we’ve engaged in the debate, we’ve offered insights, and we’re optimistic about the future.

Turning over a New Leaf

In part to honor our history as an association and to welcome Carol into leadership, we asked the past three presidents of AEJMC to share some words of wisdom and encouragement with Carol as she embarks upon her journey:

Congratulations, Carol – your day is finally here.

I’m passing on the AEJMC Officers’ Handbook to you, knowing that you’ll need to consult it regularly to keep up with the myriad activities of the divisions, commissions and task forces. AEJMC is truly a membership organization and represents all that is best in journalism and mass communication higher education. Treasure the moments, both big and small, and the special places you’ll visit as AEJMC’s persona. As the captain of our ship – we’re ready to follow you as the organization continues to sail!

– Dr. Barbara B. Hines, Howard, AEJMC President 2008-09

Carol,

Congratulations on ascending to the Presidency of AEJMC. It will be an exciting and invigorating ride. I don’t think we have ever had anyone better prepared than you are for the job or anyone with a better grasp of the diverse elements that give our association its strength. You certainly need no advice from me. Still, I would only suggest that you keep in mind the whole-part paradox and mind the center, for it draws and unites those parts. Have a fantastic journey.

– Dr. Charles C. Self, Oklahoma, AEJMC President 2007-08

Carol,

The best of luck on your year as president. I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully. As far as advice, gosh, there are a million things I could tell you. Get a good keynote speaker. Outlaw cash bars (heh…). Maybe the best advice would be to not let criticism bother you. I had an unusual year as president since I had some new committees to name and people for the strategic plan. It always seemed like someone wanted someone else on some committee. Don’t take it personally, and just enjoy the many new friends you’ll make. My year was incredible, and I’m sure yours will be too.

– Dr. Wayne Wanta, Oklahoma State, AEJMC President 2006-07