Voakes to step down as dean of Boulder's SJMC

He'll return to journalism faculty next summer

Paul Voakes

Paul Voakes, dean of the University of Colorado at Boulder's School of Journalism and Mass Communication, today announced he will step down as dean and return to the teaching faculty of the school, effective June 30, 2011.

"Leading the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at CU-Boulder has been an honor and a privilege," said Voakes, who assumed the post in 2003. "I believe over the last seven years we have confronted profound transformations in journalism and mass communication, ushered in important changes in journalism education, and produced a new generation of journalists and communicators ready to meet still more challenges and changes.

"I now look forward to returning to the faculty and continuing this important work with our students," Voakes said.

In accepting the resignation, CU-Boulder Provost Russell L. Moore praised Voakes' service to the school.

"Paul Voakes has led our journalism program in the most difficult time in its history," Moore said. "He has done so with character and compassion, while being a key part of the academic leadership of CU-Boulder. We thank him for his dedicated service to the university and welcome him back to the classroom."

Moore said he will begin work on seeking interim leadership for the SJMC after Voakes' departure as dean next summer.

"It will be valuable to have Dean Voakes in place through the conclusion of both the program discontinuance review currently under way and the completion of the work of the Exploratory Committee on Information, Communication and Technology," Moore said. "This will provide us continuity as we examine all of our options and recommendations that ensure our course and degree offerings meet the needs of students, the labor market, our campus mission and the communications needs of a rapidly changing global society."