Barnes New President-Elect of Journalism Association

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 11, 2010) − University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Telecommunications Director Beth Barnes was recently named president-elect of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication. The association is composed of 190 journalism and mass communication programs in the U.S., Canada and several foreign countries. Barnes will begin her one-year post in October and then take over as president of the organization in October 2011.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve the organization," Barnes said. "I've benefited greatly from ASJMC's programs since I began to work in journalism and mass communication administration, and I'm honored the membership has given me the chance to give back."

The association supports schools of journalism and mass communication, works to maintain high standards for journalism, and promotes public understanding of the role of journalism and mass communication in a democratic society. The group meets twice a year, in the summer in conjunction with the annual conference of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and at the ASJMC-specific meeting in the winter. Barnes recently returned from the summer annual convention, held this year in Denver, Colorado.

Barnes hasn't decided what she will focus on during her term, but said her year will likely have an international theme. She is the principal investigator on the grant for the School of Journalism and Telecommunications' partnership with ZAMCOM, a media training institute in Lusaka, Zambia. Barnes travels frequently to Africa to support UK's focus in helping the institute improve HIV/AIDS training for Zambian journalists. Her responsibilities at UK include serving as associate dean for undergraduate and international studies in the College of Communications and Information Studies and representing the college on the International Advisory Council.