Carol Pardun becomes President, Plans "lively" future for AEJMC
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 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
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*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.
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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.
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How do you plan to strengthen
the voice for journalism and mass communication education?
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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.
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How do you plan to support research and
creative activity?
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 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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Please see Everything You Want to Know About "Chips" by Sue O'Brien and Glen Bleske, 2002-03, Revised 2008.
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Please share one thing about AEJMC that you'll protect from changing.
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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.
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What legacy do you hope to leave
behind once your term as President of AEJMC is complete in September 2010?
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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.
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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:
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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
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_____________________________________________________
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 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
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_____________________________________________________
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 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.
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The AEJMC Denver logo was designed by Ashley Nixon and Alana Marquez
Hawaii Pacific University
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About AEJMC
The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication is a nonprofit, educational association of journalism and mass communication educators, students and media professionals. The Association's mission is to advance education, foster scholarly research, cultivate better professional practice and promote the free flow of communication.
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