Omachonu named as new vice provost

Mass-communication scholar brings international, administrative expertise to post


Dr. John Omachonu will become vice provost for academic affairs at Middle Tennessee State University with the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, officials announced.

University Provost Dr. Brad Bartel said he is "delighted"; that Omachonu has been appointed to the permanent post.

"Dr. Omachonu has truly proven that he is an all-University leader during his time as interim vice provost,"; Bartel said. "He has been very devoted to critical issues, including diversity. I look forward to his having a long relationship with the University community in his new position.";

Omachonu, who was chosen following a nationwide search, has served as interim vice provost since July 2010. His responsibilities have included diversity and international-education issues.

"This position is a unique opportunity for me to serve the University community by assisting the University Provost in accomplishing the academic mission of the institution,"; Omachonu said.

A veteran of more than 20 years of international-broadcasting experience and 20 years of college teaching, Omachonu joined MTSU's College of Mass Communication in July 2004 as associate dean and professor of electronic media communication. From October 2007 to September 2008, he served as the college's interim dean while a search was under way for a new dean.

Omachonu was selected for the 2009-10 class of the American Council on Education Fellows Program, which identifies promising faculty and administrators and prepares them for leadership roles in higher education administration.

His career also includes stints as associate professor and chairman of the Department of Communication at William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J., from 2000 to 2004 and associate professor and chairman of the Department of Mass Communications at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Ga.

Omachonu earned his bachelor's degree in psychology and master's and doctoral degrees in mass communications from Howard University. His postdoctoral administrative fellowships include the Freedom Forum's Leadership Institute for Journalism & Mass Communication Administrators, the Journalism and Mass Communication Leadership Institute for Diversity and the Management Development Program at Harvard University.

His wife, Dr. Florence Omachonu, is a professor of education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. They are the parents of four children.