Cory Armstrong will join the UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications as the associate dean for research and faculty affairs beginning in August 2022.
Armstrong is currently a professor in the Department of Journalism & Creative Media at the University of Alabama, where she served as department chair from 2016 to 2021. As department chair, Armstrong oversaw the merger of two academic departments, Journalism and Telecommunication and Film, to create one 36-faculty member unit. Before joining the University of Alabama, Armstrong held positions as professor and director of the Mayborn School of Journalism at the University of North Texas and graduate coordinator and associate professor in the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.
As associate dean for research and faculty affairs, Armstrong will be a leader and champion of faculty development and support who promotes excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and industry engagement. Armstrong will develop and support a college-wide faculty development and mentoring program and oversee faculty promotion, evaluation, policies and procedures.
“I’m excited about Cory’s background and strength in teaching, research and creative activity,” said Shari Veil, dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. “Her experience and enthusiasm will help our faculty advance their careers while ensuring our students have incredible teachers who excel in research, creative activity and industry engagement.”
Armstrong’s research includes traditional and emerging media and focuses on media messaging and severe weather - that is how vulnerable populations have different needs during weather emergencies and may not be able to evacuate or safely leave during floods, hurricanes and tornados. She has more than 45 peer-reviewed publications appearing in such journals as Journalism & Mass Communications Quarterly, Digital Journalism, Communication Research and the Journal of Risk Research, among others. Additionally, Armstrong has secured grants totaling more than $230,000 to study media messaging and severe weather in the mid-south region of the United States.
“There is a lot of talent and potential in the college, and I’m thrilled to be part of it,” Armstrong said. “I am happy to help work with Dean Veil and her vision for the future of CoJMC.”
In addition to her appointment as associate dean for research and faculty affairs, Armstrong will be appointed as a full professor in journalism and the Lawrence L. and Ruth E. Pike Professor in Journalism. Armstrong holds a bachelor’s degree from Miami University, a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in mass communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
