John Gale and James Hikins have been named chairs in departments within the College of Fine Arts and Communications.
Gale will be the new chair of mass communication and theater department. Gale came to UCA in 2003 as the director of the University College and taught classes in the mass communication and theatre department.
“John Gale is no stranger to the UCA campus, and his supportive leadership style is well known and highly respected,” said Rollin Potter, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communications. “He will be very instrumental in bringing the department to even higher levels of excellence.”
Hikins will take over as new chair of speech and public relations. He comes to UCA after four years as the John Drushal and Pocock Family Distinguished Visiting Professor at The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. He earned his Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Texas in 1985 and has taught previously at North Dakota, Ohio State, Texas and Tulane.
Potter said Hikins “has had a very distinguished career in the department’s disciplines and will bring strong leadership to these programs.”