College of Media & Communication Dean Bey-Ling Sha is named president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Bey-Ling Sha, dean of Texas Tech University’s College of Media & Communication, was recently installed as president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC). Elected by the organization’s more than 2,300 global members, Sha served as vice president and then president-elect before assuming the presidency.
Sha is helping form a legacy of Texas Tech leaders who have served in this position. Former Dean David Perlmutter was president of the organization in 2020. Texas Tech joins an elite list of universities such as Columbia University, New York University and the University of Texas at Austin that have had leaders serve as president of AEJMC.
Sha views Texas Tech’s representation as a testament to the exceptional work being done at the college.
“Since coming to Texas Tech in February, I have gained an even greater appreciation for the level of excellence in the teaching, scholarly and creative activity, and community service that is done at the College of Media and Communication,” Sha said. “I am glad to be able to highlight that excellence and nurture our faculty’s sense of care through this service to a professional organization in our discipline.”
While Sha can passionately cite AEJMC’s mission, it’s the sense of support the organization has provided that she appreciates most. Joining when she was a graduate student at the University of Maryland, Sha has remained involved ever since.
“The thing I value most is the sense of community AEJMC has given me,” she said. “When I joined there were so many senior scholars who were generous with me, whether through their time or guidance or scholarly feedback.”
She hopes her involvement and example of leadership will inspire students in the College of Media & Communication. The college provides access to more than 10 student chapters of larger national organizations. Sha believes students can benefit from becoming involved during their time at Texas Tech, investing in communities that can support them far into their careers, as AEJMC has done for her.
“We live in a time when many people feel lonely and isolated,” Sha said. “Finding something bigger than yourself can be an antidote to that feeling.”
She encourages Texas Tech students to connect with peers who have similar goals.
“Dean Sha’s recognition by her peers nationwide for her leadership and vision underscores her commitment to advancing excellence in her field,” said Ron Hendrick, provost and senior vice president. “Attracting academics like Sha – leaders in their field – is central to Texas Tech’s pursuit of academic excellence.”
Sha is appreciative of all those who have blazed the trail of leadership before her and says she feels empowered to take the helm during a crucial time.
“Dr. Sha is an exemplary leader for this defining moment in communications history. She consistently demonstrates grace under pressure while upholding both her personal values and AEJMC’s mission,” said Past President Teresa Mastin, vice provost and associate vice president for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs at Michigan State University.
About AEJMC
The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication is a nonprofit, educational association of journalism and mass communication educators, students and media professionals. The association’s mission is to promote the highest possible standards for journalism and mass communication education, to cultivate the widest possible range of communication research, to encourage the implementation of a multicultural society in the classroom and curriculum, and to defend and maintain freedom of communication to achieve better professional practice and a more informed public.