Journalism Faculty Leader Selected for 2026 Scripps Howard Leadership Academy

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (June 4, 2026) – A senior faculty leader at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has been selected for the 2026 cohort of The Scripps Howard Leadership Academy at Syracuse University, a weeklong immersive training program designed to help aspiring leaders in journalism and mass communications education shape and strengthen their leadership journeys.

Masudul Biswas, Ph.D., is among 14 faculty members and administrators selected nationwide for the program hosted by the Scripps Howard Leadership Academy at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, bringing together participants from journalism and mass communications programs across the United States, including flagship public universities, historically Black colleges and universities, and private institutions.

Biswas, who, has worked at N.C. A&T since 2025, serves as chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JOMC) in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and holds the academic rank of tenured professor. He previously served as chair of communication and media at Loyola University Maryland.

“Since the field of journalism and communication has witnessed significant changes in storytelling and content distribution, it is important for programs like this to help develop visionary leaders who not only think about now but also about next and beyond,” said Biswas.

Biswas plans to build a sustainable and transparent framework to support the continued growth of the JOMC department while strengthening his understanding of enrollment and retention strategies and innovative approaches to revenue generation to better serve faculty, staff and students.

Now in its third year, the academy is recognized as a premier leadership pipeline program in journalism and mass communications education, designed to strengthen the capacity of associate deans, department chairs, program directors, and other academic leaders preparing for or advancing toward dean-level roles. The 2026 program, titled “Preparing the Next Generation of JMC Deans,” builds on this mission through three core pillars: dean-level perspective and lessons learned, managing up and across the university, and positioning schools and leaders for long-term success.

Programming includes keynote presentations from current deans, cohort discussions, applied workshops, and networking opportunities. Through the academy, Biswas will collaborate with journalism and mass communication leaders from colleges and universities across the country while strengthening long-term professional networks.

Upon completion, Biswas will develop a personalized leadership roadmap, establish a peer accountability partnership, and produce a dean candidacy action plan.

The Scripps Howard Leadership Academy is a partnership between the S.I. Newhouse School and the Scripps Howard Fund and takes place June 15-18 in New York. There is no cost for selected participants, as the program covers travel, accommodations and all associated program expenses.