19 Feb 2013
Staff Writer
Ben Peyton / Senior Staff Writer
After over a year of interim leadership from M. Jean Keller, the UNT Dean Selection Committee has found a permanent Dean of the Mayborn School of Journalism in Dorothy M. Bland.
Bland will be appointed in June at which time Keller will step down.
Bland is the Director of the Division of Journalism of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication and has a resume that includes more than 25 years of reporting experience, having been selected as a Pulitzer Prize nominating juror and led the reaccreditation of the Journalism Division at FAMU in 2008 and 2012.
“She brings the perfect combination of professional and academic experience, and she has excelled in both,” said Roy Busby, Director of the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism and graduate associate dean.
Bland received her bachelors bachelor’s degree in journalism from Arkansas State University and her Master’s of Business Administration Degree in Marketing from George Washington University.
Bland rose to the top during two rounds and over a year of interviews with potential candidates, said Warren Burggren, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
“I think we found exactly the right person, now,” Burggren said.
Bland directed the FAMU’s division of journalism, as it became the first accredited journalism program at a historically African American college, according to a UNT press release.
Bland has written a number of publications that impressed Burggren, many of which shine a light on minorities and diverse communities.
“I think the additional vision that she will apply will be useful,” Burggren said.
Bland has received the Gannett Media Company President’s Ring for Excellence as a publisher three times and hopes to use her experiences to take the school into the digital age.
Some of the opportunities that Bland is excited about are improving the student run media groups such as the North Texas Daily, SWOOP and NT Daily TV.
“While I appreciate my FAMU experiences, leading the Mayborn School of Journalism is a wonderful opportunity,” Bland said in a press release. “I understand that UNT’s theme is a Green Light to Greatness, and the Mayborn School has a strong foundation plus excellent potential for more greatness. It is strategically located in the fifth largest media market in the nation and a diverse region well positioned for future growth.”
Bland says that her appointment as Dean is a great personal opportunity and that she wants to increase the visibility of UNT and make sure that the journalism school is positioned to ensure students are prepared after graduation.
“I’m really passionate about student success,” Bland said.
