Virginia State University (VSU) will launch the University’s Department of Mass Communications in fall 2009. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia recently approved VSU’s request for the department, which will be led by Dr. Ishmail Conway, currently associate professor of VSU’s Graduate Professional Education Programs.

The venture represents the growth of one of the University’s fastest growing disciplines. Since its inception in 2001, Mass Communications has become the largest major within the University’s School of Liberal Arts and Education. VSU began a master’s level Mass Communications program in 2007.

“VSU faculty, administrators and students will build the VSU Department of Mass Communications program into a globally recognized leader of media learning, practice and research,” said Conway, an expert on African-American history and culture, who has 17 years of teaching experience at four universities, including University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education and Cornell University. “For 40 years, my work in mass communications has prepared me for this leadership role as the founding chairperson of this department.”

Conway has served as a consultant for corporations and public agencies including Owens & Minor and the United Negro College Fund. He received his doctorate from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in media studies and communication management from The New School for Social Research in New York and a bachelor’s in mass media arts and drama from Hampton University.