Welcome from the Dean

 

Dear Students, Alumni, Colleagues and Friends,

Welcome to LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication. I became dean in July 2018 and, as an alumnus myself (Journalism ‘91), am excited and honored to serve you as our school starts its next chapter.

These are extraordinary times for careers and research in media. Our work is more essential than ever and we are deeply committed to it. Mass communication drives business. Public discourse on topics from politics and the economy to sports and fashion flows through an increasingly social media. Journalists are fundamental to our democracy.

There is also real opportunity in media careers. For example, the national Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that industries like public relations will create jobs at a rate faster than the overall economy over the next eight years. Other growth fields include online journalism, advertising, television and video production, web development and law.

The Manship School stands prepared to lead the conversation about media and public affairs today and help students find success in these vibrant industries.

Our excellent faculty combines internationally recognized scholars with professionals who have worked at the Disney Movie Company, New York Times, the White House and many others. Cutting-edge faculty research focuses on a range of pressing topics like how technology affects voter knowledge, hostile rhetoric, how audiences understand advertising designed to blend in to other digital content, privacy rights of human trafficking survivors and the foundations of propaganda.

LSU and the Manship School offer unsurpassed opportunities for professional experiences that include our award-winning student media, our statehouse news bureau, internships in a variety of fields and the #1 collegiate public relations team in the nation.

Our graduate programs are also top-notch. Manship School Ph.D.s teach at a range of institutions including Indiana University, Syracuse, University of South Carolina, Auburn, Howard University and Marquette, or work in prestigious research centers like the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Not long ago, a panel of national experts rated the Manship School “in the ranks of the country’s strongest programs.” It truly is. However, our best days are ahead of us, given our opportunities, the importance of our work and the excellence of our faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Sincerely,

Dean Johnson signature

Martin Johnson