MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Dr. Matthew Haught has been named as the interim director of the new School of Communication and Media at the University of Memphis, effective July 1.
The School is being created through a merger of the Departments of Communication and Film and of Journalism and Strategic Media.
“Matt brings a wealth of administrative experience and a genuine understanding of both units that makes him well suited for this role,” said Dr. Debra Burns, dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts (CCFA), which includes the School of Communication and Media as one of its units. “He is a trusted colleague across the college, and his thoughtful, people-centered approach to leadership is what this transition calls for. I look forward to working closely with him as we build something truly special for our students, faculty, and the Memphis community.”
Haught currently serves as chair of the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media, a role he will continue as the merger is implemented during the 2026-27 academic year.
“I am so excited to lead this School as we come together as one team,” Haught said. “In this interim role, I hope to offer steady leadership while building the framework for a successful unification, establishing a collaborative culture and fostering a supportive community.”
As interim director, Haught will oversee the merger of the two units into the new School, work with faculty and staff to establish operations and maximize collaborative potential.
“This School is going to show the world what we have known in Memphis for a long time: our programs in communication, film, journalism and strategic media are among the best,” Haught said. “By uniting, we’re going to have a prominent voice in working with students, professionals in our affiliated industries and other scholars to elevate our presence in these spaces.”
Under Haught’s leadership, the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media earned two Silver Anvils from the Public Relations Society of America for being the country’s best undergraduate PR program, as well as a sixth-place finish in broadcasting in the 2025-26 Hearst Journalism Awards Intercollegiate Competition. He expects this merger to build on those successes, as well as those in the School’s thriving communication and film programs.
“We see this move as a way to elevate the profile of our programs and our people, while making better use of our resources to serve the needs of our students, faculty and staff,” Haught said. “This merger is a strategic plan to grow and succeed in a competitive marketplace.”
The School will have nearly 50 faculty and staff and about 600 students, making it the largest unit in CCFA by enrollment as well as one of the largest in the University. Programs currently in the Department of Journalism and Strategic Media will maintain accreditation by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, as well as its Certification for Education in Public Relations by the Public Relations Society of America.
The new School of Communication and Media was created by a faculty-led initiative to merge the Departments of Communication and Film and Journalism and Strategic Media. It was approved by the UofM Board of Trustees earlier this month. The School will maintain all academic programs, as well as faculty and staff, currently in both departments.
Haught joined UofM in August 2013 as an assistant professor in visual media. He served as associate chair in Journalism and Strategic Media from 2019-24 and became department chair in 2024. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy in mass communications from School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina-Columbia and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Marshall University. He worked professionally for newspapers and magazines in West Virginia and Kentucky for six years.
Haught is the vice president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication and will serve as its president in 2027-28. He has served the association in multiple elected leadership roles since 2010 and is a renowned scholar and educator in visual communication. He also served on the board of the Public Relations Society of America, Memphis Chapter, in 2024-25.
