New associate dean, department chairs in College of Fine Arts, Communications - BYU News Skip to main content
Intellect

New associate dean, department chairs in College of Fine Arts, Communications

Dean Stephen Jones has announced several administrative changes in the College of Fine Arts and Communications at Brigham Young University.

Ed Adams, former chair of the Department of Communications, has been named as associate dean, replacing Sherry Baker, who will return to full-time teaching and research in the Department of Communications.

“Dr. Baker has made significant contributions to the college in her responsibilities with the college’s rank and status process, faculty development, and student and faculty funding decisions,” said Jones. “I have greatly appreciated Sherry's work and commitment and express deep appreciation for the dedicated service she has given the college and university in this assignment. I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Ed Adams.”

Replacing Adams as chair of the Department of Communications is Bradley Rawlins, and Linda Sullivan has been reappointed as chair of the Visual Arts Department. “These capable chairs have both had an important influence in their respective areas, and their appointments come with the strong support of faculty and staff in their departments,” said Dean Jones.

Adams received a doctorate in mass communications, a master’s degree in communications and a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He formerly taught at universities in Texas and Ohio.

He was named the most outstanding journalism professor under the age of 40 by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication in 1998, and he was named to the first edition of Who's Who in the Media and Communications in 1999. His work primarily focuses on the business and economic history of the media. Adams’ articles have appeared in Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Journalism and Mass Communication Educator, Journalism History, American Journalism and Journal of the West.

Rawlins received a master’s degree and doctorate in advertising and public relations. He also completed an undergraduate double major in communications and foreign language and literature. He received the 2003 Pathfinder Award from the Institute of Public Relations for his research on public relations ethics.

Prior to teaching at BYU, Rawlins taught at James Madison University, Walker College and the University of Alabama.

Writer: Lee Simons

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

Geology meets history: BYU professor studies WWII shrapnel on Normandy beaches

June 05, 2025
Eighty years after D-Day, BYU geologists uncover lingering WWII shrapnel on Normandy beaches to study how history still shapes the coastline today.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Forum: Lessons from Noise: Crackle to Calm

June 03, 2025
This year’s Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer, Kent Gee, delivered his forum address on the science of sound and how he and BYU students have contributed to significant research in the acoustics industry.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

BYU study finds the real reasons why some people choose not to use artificial intelligence

June 03, 2025
In a recent study, BYU professors Jacob Steffen and Taylor Wells explored why some people are still reluctant to use GenAI tools. While some people might worry about an AI apocalypse, Steffen and Wells found that most non-users are more concerned with issues like trusting the results, missing the human touch or feeling unsure if GenAI is ethical to use.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=