Spring Break
The Daily OrangeBranham focuses on future plan
Dean candidate discusses diversity, media convergence
By Ryan Balton
Posted: 1/29/08, 11:50 PM EST Section: News
Though her career is mainly in newspaper, Branham has a bachelor's degree in radio, television and film. Initially seeking to enter the field of broadcast journalism, she changed her intended career after taking a course in newspaper writing.
Branham recognized her knowledge of the advertising and public relations field may be less extensive.
"I do understand that I've got a bit of a learning curve in that regard," she said. "I need to get a better sense of where that profession is right now-what are the challenges, what are the issues, what do we need to be doing with students to make sure that they're prepared."
Branham did point to her experience with the business aspect of advertising in newspapers, and she believes her overall background would serve Newhouse well.
"I feel very confident about my abilities to take on new challenges and excel at them," Branham said in response to some students who voiced concern about her lack of experience as dean and lack of a master's degree or doctorate.
"I've always been looking at different opportunities and have been willing to take on new challenges," Branham said.
Branham discussed overcoming the challenges of being an editor of a newspaper for the first time at the Tallahassee Democrat. She also noted she had no prior administrational education experience before taking her current job as the director of journalism at UTexas.
"Dean Rubin has been very effective, very successful, obviously beloved," Branham said of the retiring Newhouse dean of 18 years.
"She realizes she'd be filling big shoes," said Miranda Villei, the undergraduate student representative on the dean search committee.
Soo Yeon Hong, graduate student representative on the Newhouse dean search committee, spoke of Branham's experiences in tackling diversity issues.
"She knows. She experienced it," he said. "It's not something you read in textbooks."
Hong reported a larger student turnout last Thursday when Sam L. Grogg, another candidate who is currently dean at the University of Miami's School of Communication, held a similar question-and-answer session.
Grogg's interest in Newhouse came into question after an article printed in UMiami's newspaper The Miami Hurricane that he has "no intention" of leaving the school.
But Branham seems sure in her pursuit of the Newhouse deanship.
"I see this as an opportunity," Branham said. "I'm in charge of a school of journalism, but I'm not the dean. So it's great to run what I do, but I think it would be a great opportunity to try out some new ideas."
Branham, like Grogg, pledged to stay at Newhouse through retirement if offered the position of dean.
"I have told my husband that if we end up in Syracuse, I will not move him again," Branham said.
Villei encourages students with any ideas about the new dean to e-mail her at mlvillei@syr.edu.
Branham recognized her knowledge of the advertising and public relations field may be less extensive.
"I do understand that I've got a bit of a learning curve in that regard," she said. "I need to get a better sense of where that profession is right now-what are the challenges, what are the issues, what do we need to be doing with students to make sure that they're prepared."
Branham did point to her experience with the business aspect of advertising in newspapers, and she believes her overall background would serve Newhouse well.
"I feel very confident about my abilities to take on new challenges and excel at them," Branham said in response to some students who voiced concern about her lack of experience as dean and lack of a master's degree or doctorate.
"I've always been looking at different opportunities and have been willing to take on new challenges," Branham said.
Branham discussed overcoming the challenges of being an editor of a newspaper for the first time at the Tallahassee Democrat. She also noted she had no prior administrational education experience before taking her current job as the director of journalism at UTexas.
"Dean Rubin has been very effective, very successful, obviously beloved," Branham said of the retiring Newhouse dean of 18 years.
"She realizes she'd be filling big shoes," said Miranda Villei, the undergraduate student representative on the dean search committee.
Soo Yeon Hong, graduate student representative on the Newhouse dean search committee, spoke of Branham's experiences in tackling diversity issues.
"She knows. She experienced it," he said. "It's not something you read in textbooks."
Hong reported a larger student turnout last Thursday when Sam L. Grogg, another candidate who is currently dean at the University of Miami's School of Communication, held a similar question-and-answer session.
Grogg's interest in Newhouse came into question after an article printed in UMiami's newspaper The Miami Hurricane that he has "no intention" of leaving the school.
But Branham seems sure in her pursuit of the Newhouse deanship.
"I see this as an opportunity," Branham said. "I'm in charge of a school of journalism, but I'm not the dean. So it's great to run what I do, but I think it would be a great opportunity to try out some new ideas."
Branham, like Grogg, pledged to stay at Newhouse through retirement if offered the position of dean.
"I have told my husband that if we end up in Syracuse, I will not move him again," Branham said.
Villei encourages students with any ideas about the new dean to e-mail her at mlvillei@syr.edu.
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