Walden appointed to lead Center for Faculty Excellence

Ruth Walden, the James Howard and Hallie McLean Parker Distinguished Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, was appointed director of the UNC Center for Faculty Excellence.

Her appointment takes effect on July 1.

The center was created in summer 2008 to provide academic support for faculty development in the key areas of teaching, research and leadership.

Executive vice chancellor and provost Bernadette Gray-Little, described Walden, a longtime faculty member in the school, as “an accomplished scholar with an in-depth understanding of the issues related to enhancing success for faculty members in their various roles.”

In addition to directing the center, Walden will continue to teach and conduct research in the school on mass communication law and First Amendment theory. 

Walden has worked extensively with graduate education and tailored an existing pedagogy class designed to help graduate students prepare for academic careers. She has served on several advisory committees for the Graduate School; she has coordinated the J-school's master's and doctoral programs; and she has served as director and associate dean of graduate studies in the school.

She is the chair of the University Committee on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure.