Joseph M. Valenzano III has been selected to serve as Butler University’s 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. The search committee—which included several faculty, staff, and student representatives—was led by Dean Bob Soltis and was assisted by search consultants from BT Consulting Group.

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. He will serve as the College’s key fundraiser, manage the budget, and identify resources that will help maintain and further develop exceptional programs. Valenzano will report directly to Provost Barnett.

“Dr. Valenzano has a passion for student learning and proven success as a leader, having served as chair of a department with hundreds of students and as the leader of the faculty senate for two years,” Provost Barnett said. “He 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 and commend our search committee for their thorough work throughout this process.”

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 University of Dayton after serving for 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. Earlier this year, he was awarded the Don Yoder Distinguished Faculty Award by the National Communication Association. Valenzano has authored or co-authored two monographs, two edited volumes, three textbooks, more than 20 peer-reviewed articles, and several book chapters. His research has appeared in the Southern Communication Journal, Communication Monographs, Communication Education, and The Basic Communication Course Annual.

“I am honored and excited to join Butler University and CCOM,” Valenzano said. “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.”

Valenzano will assume his new role at Butler in January.