Dr. Kean accepts position as School's permanent director

(posted Summer 2009)

by Corinna Aiken

After years of preparation and with the support of fellow faculty members, July 1 marked the date that the acting director of East Carolina University's School of Communication (SOC) was officially appointed permanent director.  
    Two years after Dr. Linda Kean accepted the position of acting director for the SOC, she took the role for which she had been preparing. The SOC's faculty decided early last year to host an internal, rather than external, search for a director, according to Dr. Jeff Elwell, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication. He also said a search committee was created from the School's faculty. Elwell helped finalize the decision with his approval.
    “They recognized (that) Linda did a very good job as acting director,” Elwell said.
    Kean was a tenured associate professor prior to taking on the director position when the School’s previous director stepped down. From these positions, Kean gained skills, knowledge and understanding that have affected her personally and professionally.  
    “I've learned to be honest with my opinion and work with people at the same time,” Kean said.
     According to Kean’s 10-page curriculum vitae, she has approximately 40 documented publications and presentations. Most of these accomplishments were completed while at ECU. As a result, Kean gained tenure. She also aided in the establishment of SOC’s graduate program in 2003.  
     “Dr. Kean is a dedicated researcher and teacher who has provided outstanding service to the School of Communication and the ECU community,” said Dr. Laura Prividera, interim associate director of the School. Kean has worked closely with Prividera to complete many of her publications.  
     Many people agree with Prividera.  
     “She’s done a very good job of balancing workload and budget issues,” said Elwell, in reference to Kean. He further described Kean as “fearless” and “proactive.”
     These qualities were most apparent when Kean talked about her plans for the SOC. After considering the strengths and weaknesses of the school, Kean created a list of goals she would like to see achieved under her direction. One thing she aims to do is update equipment to high definition within the next five years. However, Kean finds this to be a more difficult task given the current state of the United States' economy and resulting budget cuts.  
    She also intends to gain accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). According to Kean, this is also a desire of the university's and is considered a “stamp of approval” for the receiving school.
    In addition to these goals, Kean plans to “increase the SOC's visibility on campus, in the community and throughout the nation,” devote less emphasis to growing numerically and more to the quality of the programs, and improve the success of the SOC's new study abroad program.
    “I'm a big-picture kind of person,” Kean said.  She then explained how her favorite thing about being director is having the opportunity to continuously ask herself, “How can we make this work?”
    “I think she'll do a great job,” Elwell said.
    Prividera echoed this confidence in her colleague when she said, “[Kean's] leadership style and academic excellence will assist the SOC in continuing its exciting path to excellence.”