Carolyn Hedges Named Associate Dean of Professional Graduate Programs

Carolyn Hedges, an award-winning professor, innovative thinker and leader in curriculum development, has been named associate dean of professional graduate programs at the Newhouse School. She begins her new position July 1.

Hedges currently serves as director of virtual instruction at Newhouse, managing the school’s online master’s programs. She also led the launch of the new online bachelor’s in strategic communications program this past spring.

In her new position, Hedges will oversee the Newhouse School’s 12 in-person master’s programs while continuing to administer the online master’s programs.

An associate teaching professor of communications, Hedges was named a Kopenhaver Center Fellow by the Lillian Lodge Kopenhaver Center for the Advancement of Women in Communication in 2021. That same year, she earned a Teaching Recognition Award for Early Performance from Syracuse University’s Meredith Program.  

“Carolyn shares my commitment to making sure our in-person graduate programs meet the evolving needs of the media, entertainment and strategic communications industries, creating opportunities for students to succeed after graduation,” Dean Mark Lodato said. “A forward-thinking philosophy and passion for teaching make her the ideal candidate to lead graduate studies at Newhouse.”

Also a graduate of the master’s and doctoral programs at Newhouse, Hedges joined the faculty at her alma mater in 2017. A former film publicist and consumer analytics professional, she brings expertise in online education, diversity and inclusion in mass communication, and pop culture studies to her work as an educator and program leader.

Joel Kaplan, the longtime associate dean of graduate programs and journalism professor, will be assuming new roles in the fall while remaining a key member of the Newhouse leadership team. Kaplan is taking over as director of the Goldring Arts, Style and Culture Journalism master’s program, and will also serve as the faculty leader of the Toner Prizes and Mirror Awards. He is also taking on the role of special advisor to Lodato.