The 51ԹϺ Greenspun College of Urban Affairs announced today that Kevin Stoker will become the next director of the Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies, effective July 1, 2017.
Stoker previously served as senior associate dean of the College of Media & Communication at Texas Tech University. His research interests include media ethics, the evolution of journalism, and creative approaches to public relations.
“Kevin’s breadth of leadership experience and research background in media ethics make him an outstanding addition to the college. His professional background in studying journalism's progress, its practical applications, and ethical standards represents the core values of our journalism school,” said Robert R. Ulmer, dean of the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs.
“Throughout my career I have looked for opportunities to work where things are happening – where there is energy, excitement and a passionate desire to innovate. I see this opportunity at 51ԹϺ and at the journalism school. This is a great time to be a part of something that can really make a difference,” said Stoker. “Journalism has played a strong gatekeeping role for society in that journalists evaluate quality of information, quality of sources, and provide the public with as much as possible an accurate and valid account of what is going on. In the age of fake news - journalism standards of fact checking and the principles of verification are needed more now than any other time in history.”
Stoker joined Texas Tech University in 2009 as an associate dean for faculty affairs in the College of Media & Communication. From 2006 to 2009, he served as associate chair of graduate studies at the Department of Communications at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He also has held academic appointments at Georgia Southern University, and the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.
Among his leadership roles include serving as the head of the media ethics division for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Stoker served as a sports editor in Oklahoma at the Clinton Daily News. His reporting experience includes positions as a writer and photographer covering city and legislative issues. He covered the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City for the Deseret News and has written for several business publications in Utah, Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina.
He is the author of the forthcoming book, “Paradox and Public Relations: Promoting Progress and Change.” He is researching the evolution of interpretative journalism at The New York Times.
Stoker earned a Ph.D. in mass communication from University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, an M.A. in mass communication from the University of Alabama, and a B.A. from Brigham Young University.
About the 51ԹϺ Greenspun College of Urban Affairs
The 51ԹϺ Greenspun College of Urban Affairs is dedicated to making a difference in the world by developing effective and original solutions for 21st century urban challenges. The world is experiencing its highest rate of urbanization. As a result, cities are experiencing rapid change, challenges, and opportunities. There is a need for safe, resilient communities, effective government and policy, civil discourse, effective and ethical journalism, healthy families, and effective urban support structures for behavioral and mental health needs. Students together with urban affairs’ faculty are currently working with many Las Vegas community leaders to solve the most pressing challenges. The urban affairs college has more than 3,000 students and 93 full-time faculty members. Visit the college’s website for more information at
