Paul Parsons, professor and dean of the School of Communications, is the author of an article on diversity plans and implementation in the Spring 2010 issue of Insights, a publication of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication.
As chair of ASJMC’s Diversity Committee from 2006 to 2008, Parsons authored a 2008 publication titled “Diversity Revisited” based on an analysis of diversity plans from more than 50 communications programs nationwide.
The newly published article in Insights outlines ways to enhance diversity even in difficult economic times by focusing on six key factors: 1) articulating the importance of diversity within a program’s context, 2) defining diversity as narrowly or as broadly as appropriate to the context, 3) creating a supportive environment that embraces diversity rather than seeing it as a matter of compliance, and then focusing on specific techniques to build diversity in 4) the faculty, 5) the student body and 6) the curriculum.
Parsons currently is president-elect of ASJMC and, in October 2010, will become president of the national leadership organization consisting of deans, directors and department chairs in journalism and mass communications.