Texas Tech Media & Communication dean inducted as president of international organization

Bey-Ling Sha, dean of the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University, was recently inducted as president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Having been elected by the association's more than 2,300 members from around the globe, Sha held the position of vice president and then president-elect before taking on the presidency.

Sha is working to create a legacy of Texas Tech presidents who have held this role. Past Dean David Perlmutter was president of the organization in 2020. Texas Tech is part of an exclusive group of universities like Columbia University, New York University and the University of Texas at Austin that have had presidents serve as president of AEJMC.

Sha considers Texas Tech's appearance to be an endorsement of the outstanding work that is being done at the college.

Since joining Texas Tech in February, I have developed an even deeper appreciation for the degree of excellence of the teaching, scholarly and creative activity, and community engagement that is accomplished at the College of Media and Communication," Sha said. "I am pleased to be able to showcase that excellence and foster our sense of care among our faculty through this service to a professional organization within our field.

Though Sha can eloquently quote AEJMC's purpose, it's the feeling of support which the organization has extended that she enjoys the most. Having joined when a graduate student at the University of Maryland, Sha has continued on ever since.

The most important thing to me is the feeling of belonging AEJMC has provided," she said. "When I arrived, there were so many veteran scholars who were kind to me, either with their time or advice or scholarly criticism.

She wants her work and leadership to serve as an inspiration to students within the College of Media & Communication. The college offers access to over 10 student chapters of national organizations. Sha thinks students can get something out of being involved while at Texas Tech, making investments in communities that can benefit them well 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 peer recognition across the country for her vision and leadership emphasizes her dedication to promoting excellence in her discipline," said Ron Hendrick, provost and senior vice president. "Recruiting scholars like Sha – champions in her field – is at the heart of Texas Tech's quest for academic excellence."