Mission, Values and Strategic Plan
The University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences is a comprehensive multidisciplinary division in which teaching, research and service are focused on shared creation, presentation, dissemination, retrieval, collection, analysis and evaluation of messages and meanings in a variety of settings. The mission is supported by one of the country’s most diverse combinations of academic and service programs.
Values
- Personal and professional excellence
- Creativity and intellectual curiosity
- Interpersonal adaptability and negotiation
- Integrity and ethical grounding
- Diversity and appreciation for differences
- Passion and resilience
- Collaboration and unity
Our commitment to fostering diversity
In the University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences, diversity is celebrated, appreciated and embraced. As outlined in the College’s Diversity Plan, we encourage the exploration and appreciation of diversity in everything from college-wide communication to the classes in our curriculum and student organizations designed to build leadership skills in the area of diversity.
Our efforts in diversity have been nationally recognized by the AEJMC and used as a model for the International Mass Communication Training and Research Center. Each year, the College’s regional diversity symposium attracts community members and scholars who share their research in diversity and facilitate conversations on topics surrounding diversity.
For a collection of events, resources and announcements in C&IS related to diversity, equity and inclusion, visit our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in C&IS page.
Through the strategic planning process, the C&IS community coalesced around twelve Key Result Areas for the next five years while also articulating the importance of our strategic plan being flexible and adaptive. These priorities and goals are outlined in our C&IS 2021-2026 Strategic Plan Document.
Aligning with those goals, Dean Mark Nelson and the College’s Executive Council encourage C&IS stakeholders to share their voice throughout the duration of the strategic plan by submitting tangible ideas to advance our Key Result Areas for each year. You can submit ideas to advance Key Result Areas here.
Communicator Magazine
Our latest issue features stories about two C&IS faculty members who developed an NPR podcast that led to the solving of a 50-year-old cold case in Selma, AL, two internship programs in Tuscaloosa available for students interested in live entertainment production, and the ways our students are prepared for corporate activism in the world of advertising and public relations. Click here to check out recent issues of Communicator.
Executive Council
The Executive Council of the College of Communication and Information Sciences is composed of the Dean, assistant and associate deans, directors and department chairs who serve the college in a leadership capacity. This council serves in an advisory role to the Dean and represents the faculty and staff as they work to achieve the college’s mission, vision and strategic priorities.
Dr. Mark Nelson
Dean 
Dr. Kim Bissell
Associate Dean for Research 
Dr. Bill Evans
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies 
Dr. Suzanne Horsley
Assistant Dean of Accreditation, Assessment and Diversity
Dr. Mark Nelson
DeanDr. Kim Bissell
Associate Dean for ResearchDr. Bill Evans
Associate Dean for Graduate StudiesDr. Suzanne Horsley
Assistant Dean of Accreditation, Assessment and Diversity
Dr. Sara Hartley
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and External Relations 
Dr. Elva Bradley
Assistant to the Dean for Grants and Collaborative Activity 
Dr. Damion Waymer
Department Chair for Advertising and Public Relations 
Dr. Margaret D'Silva
Department Chair for Communication Studies
Dr. Sara Hartley
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and External RelationsDr. Elva Bradley
Assistant to the Dean for Grants and Collaborative ActivityDr. Damion Waymer
Department Chair for Advertising and Public RelationsDr. Margaret D'Silva
Department Chair for Communication Studies
Dr. Michael Bruce
Interim Department Chair for Journalism and Creative Media 
Dr. Jim Elmborg
Director of the School of Library and Information Studies 
Dr. Jim Bailey
Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives
.
Melanie Danner
Director of Financial Affairs
. 
Elizabeth Brock
Director of the Digital Media Center. 
Jenny Pyle
Director of Development.
Dr. Michael Bruce
Interim Department Chair for Journalism and Creative MediaDr. Jim Elmborg
Director of the School of Library and Information StudiesDr. Jim Bailey
Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives.
Melanie Danner
Director of Financial Affairs.
Elizabeth Brock
Director of the Digital Media Center.Jenny Pyle
Director of Development.NOT PICTURED: Dr. Beth S. Bennett, Senior Associate Dean
Board of Visitors
Awards
The College of Communication and Information Sciences is committed to recognizing and honoring outstanding contributions to the fields of communication and information. Each year, we work with our Board of Visitors, Executive Council, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to identify those deserving of recognition for their work. For more information on our college-wide awards, or to nominate a candidate, please click the links below.
