Ed Adams, BYU professor of communications, will be the new dean of the BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications. He will begin a five-year term replacing Stephen Jones on June 15.
"Ed brings a combination of experiences that prepare him well for this new responsibility," said Academic Vice President Brent W. Webb. "I am confident he will continue the legacy of outstanding leadership by his predecessors in the dean's office."
Serving in an administrative role won't be new to Adams. Since joining the faculty at BYU in 1999, he has served in administrative positions for all but 18 months. Adams has been serving as the director of the School of Communications since it was changed from a department in February 2015; a change Adams was instrumental in orchestrating. Adams previously served as chair of the Department of Communications and as an associate dean for the College of Fine Arts and Communications.
In addition to the name change, Adams has played a major role in improving the student experience in the School of Communications. He oversaw the founding of the AdLab, moved the Rulon Bradley Agency from a student agency to a fully-integrated public relations agency and transitioned the Universe to a weekly publication.
Prior to his arrival at BYU, Adams taught at Angelo State University, in San Angelo, Texas, and Ohio University, in Athens, Ohio. Before pursuing an advanced degree he managed a magazine publishing company in Phoenix, Arizona.
"We are grateful for Ed's dedicated efforts to further the work of the school," said Stephen Jones, outgoing College of Fine Arts and Communications dean. "During his tenure, he hired a vast majority of the current faculty, led significant curricular changes, encouraged and supported faculty scholarship and student mentoring, worked to gain school status and prepared for and successfully completed multiple accreditation reviews."
Since 2003, Jones has been serving as dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications. Prior to his assignment as dean he served as assistant to the academic vice president at BYU, coordinating the strategy and implementation of the university's e-learning services. Jones, a professor of music, came to BYU in 1991. He studied composition as an undergraduate at BYU and received Master of Music Degree and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in composition from the University of Cincinnati's Conservatory of Music.
As dean, Jones led the college during a period of significant change. He helped oversee the planning and fundraising for the BYU Broadcasting Building and its move to the office of the advancement vice president as well as the incorporation of the Department of Dance into the college. He was instrumental in a significant addition to the Richards Building to accommodate the music dance theatre program and the BYU Music Group. During his time as dean, students in the college have received a significant number national and international awards in the performing arts, animation, advertising and public relations. He led the year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Harris Fine Arts Center.
"I express deep gratitude to Stephen, who has demonstrated vision and high standards in his service, has exercised strong advocacy of the college and its programs and faculty and has brought excellent insights and skills to our university councils," Webb said.
Writer: Jenna Randle
