Joseph M. Valenzano III has joined Butler as Dean of the College of Communication. He replaces Brooke Barnett, who was elevated to the role of Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Valenzano comes to Butler from the University of Dayton, where he most recently served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication.

In his new role, Valenzano will provide strategic and visionary leadership across the diverse set of professional-, social science-, and humanities-based programs represented in the College of Communication and chart a bold path forward to ensure the College’s growth and long-term success.

“[Dr. Valenzano] is an entrepreneurial leader with a demonstrated track record in program development, faculty recruitment, enrollment growth, and fundraising. I look forward to his contributions at Butler,” Provost Barnett says.

Valenzano earned his BA in Psychology and Political Science from Providence College, his MA in Communication from the University of Maine, and PhD in Public Communication from Georgia State University. He joined the University of Dayton after serving five years as a Basic Course Director at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where his program was awarded a Basic Course Program of Excellence by the National Communication Association. He won the award a second time at the University of Dayton, making him the only person to have won the award at two different institutions.

“I am honored and excited to join Butler University and CCOM,” Valenzano says. “This is an exciting time for the College, and I look forward to contributing to Butler’s long history of student-centered innovation in educational excellence. I am eager to get to work with the terrific faculty, staff, students, alumni, and University leadership at Butler to develop and execute a shared vision that highlights CCOM as a premier College of Communication.”