The following message, announcing Dean Catherine Staub‘s decision to step down as dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, was sent from Provost Sue Mattison to the Drake University campus community on June 18, 2025.
Dear faculty, staff, and students,
I am writing to share that Dr. Catherine Staub, dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, will be stepping down from her role as dean effective June 30, 2026. Dean Staub will serve in a consulting role to the new SJMC dean until her official retirement on September 1, 2026. She and I have been actively discussing the SJMC dean succession plan for months and will engage with SJMC faculty and staff this summer before sharing information at the start of the Fall 2025 semester.
Dean Staub’s tenure has been marked by countless accomplishments. Under her visionary leadership, the School launched the Dean Team Scholars program focusing on support for first generation college students, established the Ross-Kading Fund to support student experiences in New York City and Washington D.C., was selected to serve as a pilot school for the Potter Digital Ambassadors program in Iowa, successfully launched the popular new Sports Media and Communication major, and expanded incredible programming such as Media Now and Winter Thaw. Currently, the School is working to establish two endowment campaigns, creating more opportunities for SJMC students. Her visionary leadership and the authentic relationships she continues to foster will continue to impact the profession and generations of students.
Dean Staub holds four degrees from Drake—a bachelor’s degree in education and English, a master’s in journalism and mass communication, a specialist degree in education, and a doctorate in educational leadership. Her steadfast commitment to Drake has been unwavering ever since she first stepped foot on campus almost 40 years ago as a first-year and first-generation student.
As a student at Drake, she worked as a graduate assistant in the SJMC and SOE, and as an alumna, served on the SJMC National Advisory Council. In her academic tenure, she held the endowed Fisher-Stelter Chair of Magazine and Brand Media, and served as Director of the E.T. Meredith Center for Magazine Studies, before being named dean.
Her accomplishments are far too great to name, and anyone who knows Catherine or who has been in her presence for more than a short time recognizes that she is one of the most humble, caring, thoughtful, and committed people you will meet. Naming Catherine as Dean of SJMC is one of the only decisions I’ve made in nine years as provost that literally made every person happy at the same time, and rightly so. Her leadership and kindness will be greatly missed.
Please join me in thanking Dean Staub for her service, as well as her continued support for the mission of the SJMC and Drake University. We will have many opportunities to celebrate Dean Staub and her many accomplishments in the coming year.
Warm regards,
Sue