Scripps College of Communication Has New Leadership, Here's What It Means
Ohio University's Scripps College of Communication is entering a new chapter. Dr. Angela Hosek, a professor in the School of Communication Studies and a widely recognized figure in instructional communication and public speaking pedagogy, has been named interim associate dean, effective July 1, 2026.1 Her appointment follows a swift leadership transition: Dr. Scott Titsworth stepped down as dean, Dr. Aimee Edmondson moved into the interim dean role, and now Hosek joins the executive leadership team to help steady the college while a national search for a permanent dean continues. For students and working professionals exploring communication management master's degrees, this kind of leadership shift at a flagship program deserves close attention. Hosek's background in graduate mentorship, foundational course development, and evidence-based teaching signals a continued emphasis on the skills and credentials that matter most in today's communication careers.
Who Is Dr. Angela Hosek? Background, Research, and Credentials
Dr. Angela Hosek is a recognized authority in instructional communication and pedagogy, making her a natural choice to join the executive leadership team of Scripps College of Communication. With a career anchored in teaching excellence and scholarly productivity, Hosek steps into the interim associate dean role from a strong foundation within Ohio University itself.
Academic Foundation and Expertise
Hosek earned her Ph.D. in Communication Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, following both a master's and bachelor's degree from Texas State University. Since joining Ohio University in 2014, she has served as a professor in the School of Communication Studies, where her research concentrates on instructional communication, teacher training, and the dynamics of the basic communication course.1 Her work has appeared in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and she co-authored the textbook "Human Communication" (McGraw Hill) and co-edited "The Handbook of Instructional Communication" (Kendall Hunt).
Leadership in Communication Pedagogy
At Ohio University, Hosek directs the COMS 1030 Public Speaking Program, a cornerstone course that reaches hundreds of students each year. She also leads the School's Graduate Teacher Training Academy, shaping the next generation of communication educators. These roles underscore her deep investment in pedagogical development, a focus that aligns with Scripps College's emphasis on practical, student-centered learning. Professionals exploring masters in organizational communication programs will recognize this kind of applied, mentor-driven training as central to graduate communication education.
Editorial Leadership and Scholarly Contributions
Hosek's influence extends into academic publishing. She serves as editor of the Basic Communication Course Annual and as associate editor of Communication Education, two outlets that set the standard for scholarship on teaching and learning in communication. Her editorial work keeps her at the forefront of emerging research in instructional methods, assessment, and student engagement. Her ongoing involvement with national organizations such as the National Communication Association ensures her work remains current and impactful, reflecting current issues in communication that faculty and students navigate today.
A Recognized Mentor and Educator
Hosek's commitment to student success is reflected in three Outstanding Graduate Mentor Awards (2016, 2020, and 2026) and fellowships through the Bruning Teaching Academy and CTLA.1 These honors highlight a career dedicated to developing future scholars and practitioners. As she herself stated, she is "tremendously excited to join the executive leadership team and to serve the College in this new way," suggesting that her immediate priorities will include advancing the college's teaching mission and deepening support for graduate instruction.
Scripps College Leadership Timeline: From Titsworth to Edmondson to Hosek
Ohio University's Scripps College of Communication has navigated a swift but deliberate leadership transition over the past year, one that reflects both the college's resilience and its commitment to continuity in academic programming.
The chain of change began when Dr. Scott Titsworth stepped down as dean during the 2025-2026 academic year, returning to his roots as a teaching faculty member.1 His departure set two parallel processes in motion: an immediate interim appointment and a broader national search for a permanent successor.
In May 2026, Ohio University named Dr. Aimee Edmondson as interim dean of Scripps College, with her role taking effect July 1, 2026.2 Edmondson's appointment provided the college with steady executive leadership while that national search continued. As of mid-2026, no permanent dean has been selected, signaling that the search remains ongoing and the college is being deliberate about finding the right fit.2
The search itself has been notably transparent. Ohio University announced four finalists on March 17, 2026, and held open forums on March 23, March 25, April 2, and April 9, 2026, in Schoonover 145, giving students, faculty, and staff direct access to each candidate.3 That kind of community engagement is increasingly standard in academic searches, particularly at institutions with strong ties between faculty governance and administrative leadership.
For students exploring graduate programs in communications in Ohio and beyond, this period of transition is worth watching. Leadership changes at flagship programs like Scripps often signal shifts in research priorities, industry partnerships, and curricular focus that ripple outward across the discipline for years.
What the New Leadership Means for Communication Students
Dr. Angela Hosek's appointment as interim associate dean of Ohio University's Scripps College of Communication signals more than a routine administrative transition. For students and working professionals in communication fields, her arrival in the executive leadership suite carries meaningful implications for how the college approaches teaching, research, and career preparation going forward.1
Hosek brings a distinctly instructional lens to her new role. As a longtime professor in the School of Communication Studies, director of the COMS 1030 Public Speaking Program, and director of the Graduate Teacher Training Academy, she has spent her career building frameworks that connect communication theory to classroom practice. Her co-authored textbook, "Human Communication" (McGraw Hill), and her editorial work on "Communication Education" and the "Basic Communication Course Annual" underscore a commitment to rigorous, evidence-based pedagogy that should permeate program decisions at the college level.
For current students, that orientation translates into several potential benefits. Graduate students in particular may notice an expanded emphasis on teacher training and mentorship, reflecting Hosek's record of winning the Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award in 2016, 2020, and 2026. Undergraduates enrolled in foundational courses like public speaking can reasonably expect continued investment in those programs, since Hosek has championed them throughout her decade at Ohio University.
Her research background also spans areas directly relevant to students pursuing specialized tracks. Scholars and practitioners working in health communication, digital communication vs. mass communication, and interpersonal communication will find that her editorial and publication record bridges those subfields in ways that could shape interdisciplinary course offerings and research initiatives.
On the professional development side, Hosek's experience coordinating graduate teacher training suggests she understands the pipeline from classroom to career. Students considering whether a master's in communication is worth the investment will likely find that Scripps under her interim leadership continues to prioritize graduate outcomes, faculty mentorship, and applied research that strengthens the college's ties to industry and civic organizations.
Finally, Hosek steps into the role at a moment of broader leadership transition, following Dr. Aimee Edmondson's move to interim dean and Dr. Scott Titsworth's earlier departure. That context makes continuity of student-centered programs especially important, and Hosek's statement that she is "tremendously excited to join the executive leadership team" reflects genuine enthusiasm for steadying the college's momentum during the search for permanent leadership.1
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How This Compares to Other Recent Communication Dean Appointments
Dr. Hosek's appointment as interim associate dean at Ohio University's Scripps College of Communication arrives amid a broader wave of leadership transitions across communication schools nationwide. Comparing these appointments reveals both shared priorities and distinct institutional emphases worth noting for students planning their graduate trajectories.
At Stony Brook University, Karin Gwinn Wilkins stepped into a permanent dean role1 with a background in global communication and a stated focus on community engagement. At Penn State, Emily Metzgar was named permanent dean2 of the Bellisario College of Communications, bringing a journalism and media background and a mandate to strengthen academic programs. Over at Howard University, Dr. Kimberly R. Moffitt assumed a permanent deanship3 rooted in mass communication and media, with a priority of expanding leadership pathways for underrepresented students.
Two other appointments round out the picture. At Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Mark Aakhus accepted an interim role4 emphasizing research productivity, drawing on a background in communication and argumentation. Drake University, meanwhile, appointed Kelly Bruhn5 as permanent dean with a public relations background and a curriculum innovation agenda. Marist University tapped Maurice Hall6 as permanent dean, centering interdisciplinary collaboration across communication and the arts.
What sets Hosek's appointment apart is its instructional core. Where many of these peers arrived with journalism, global, or media credentials, Hosek brings deep expertise in public speaking pedagogy, graduate teacher training, and foundational course assessment. For students considering communication master's programs in New York or other competitive markets, understanding how faculty leadership shapes curriculum priorities is a genuinely useful filter when comparing schools. Hosek's track record suggests Scripps will continue investing in evidence-based teaching and rigorous graduate mentorship, values that show up in program quality regardless of a dean's title.
What Prospective Communication Students Should Watch For
If you are considering graduate or undergraduate study in communication, Hosek's appointment offers several meaningful signals worth tracking. Her dual role overseeing both the public speaking program and the Graduate Teacher Training Academy suggests Scripps will continue investing in foundational communication skills alongside advanced research training, a combination that tends to strengthen the practical value of any degree you earn.
First, watch for shifts in how Scripps structures its graduate curriculum. Hosek's scholarly record spans instructional communication, health communication, and interpersonal dynamics, so prospective students in those concentrations may find new course offerings or research opportunities emerging as she settles into the associate dean's chair. Her editorial work with journals focused on evidence-based pedagogy also hints at a data-informed approach to program assessment, which can translate into stronger outcomes tracking and more transparent reporting for enrolled students.
Second, pay attention to interdisciplinary partnerships. Hosek's publication record crosses multiple subfields, and administrators who bridge disciplines often open doors to joint initiatives with business, health sciences, or political science departments. For students weighing whether a master's in communication is worth the investment, this kind of cross-departmental activity can broaden internship networks and post-graduation career pathways considerably.
Finally, consider how her emphasis on graduate teacher training might influence mentorship culture across the college. Strong mentorship infrastructure is one of the clearest differentiators among online master's in communication programs and residential ones alike, and a dean-level champion for that culture can make a real difference in day-to-day student experience. Keep an eye on Scripps' program announcements over the next academic year for concrete changes.1
