A-State Appoints Dr. Carl Cates as New Dean

Arkansas State University has just appointed Dr. Carl Cates from Valdosta State University as dean of the university's newly established college. The new college combines programs from the arts, humanities, social sciences, and media and communications.

Dr. Cates currently serves as associate dean of the College of the Arts at a university in the state of Georgia, where he has worked as a faculty member and leader for the past 23 years.

According to Dr. Tim Hudson, the university's Chancellor: "This newly established college is central to Arkansas State's reputation for excellence in education. Dr. Cates will bring his extensive experience in higher education to help A-State grow even further in the future."

Dr. Lynita Cooksey, the university's Provost, made the appointment decision today, and the appointment will take effect starting July 1.

"I look forward to Dr. Cates's ability to drive interdisciplinary innovation and synergy," said Provost Cooksey. "His enthusiastic leadership will play a key role in helping A-State foster new creativity and growth, as well as expand learning opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff."

Cooksey also expressed her gratitude to Dr. Don Bowyer, dean of the College of the Arts, and Dr. Brad Rawlins, dean of the College of Media and interim dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, for their dedication in their respective fields.

"I am deeply honored to be appointed to the position of dean and am very excited to begin working with the students, faculty, and departments of A-State," said Cates. "I look forward to collaborating on organizing the new college, developing an innovative strategic plan, and advancing the university's outstanding programs."

One of Cates's initial projects will be restructuring the university's current three colleges into one, and working with faculty, students, and staff to choose a name for the new college.

A faculty member at Valdosta State University since 1993, Cates taught Communication Arts before becoming head of the Department of Speech Communication, then head of the Department of Communication Arts, then interim associate dean of the college, and finally associate dean.

He has been involved in mass media and media innovation, and has also worked with faculty in art, theater, and mass media to attract funding, individual donations, and in-kind gifts.

Working with his colleagues at VSU, he helped develop five new degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Cates is also the author and co-author of numerous research papers and reports for professional publications and organizations. He has also served as director of the Southern States Communication Association and as a member of the National Communication Association's advisory council.

Born and raised in Odessa, Texas, he earned his Ph.D. in speech communication and rhetoric from The Florida State University, and his Master's and Bachelor's degrees in Human Communication and Mass Communication from Abilene Christian University.

His community activities include serving as president of the Valdosta Rotary Club, and he has been named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.

Cates and his wife, Kristy, are the parents of two grown children, Caleb and Kitra Cates.

Nearly 1,700 students were enrolled in the combined programs of these three colleges last fall at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The departments within the new college include: Art, Communication, Criminology, Sociology and Geography; English, Philosophy and World Languages; History; Media; Music; Political Science; and Theatre.

It will also include doctoral programs in the following areas: Heritage Studies, the Fowler Center, the Bradbury Art Museum, and KASU radio.

A-State, Vietnam Office

Source: http://www.astate.edu/news/a-state-selects-dr-carl-cates-as-dean-of-new-college