ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — St. Bonaventure University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Michael Fischer today announced two leadership appointments in the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication: Pauline Hoffmann, Ph.D., has been named interim dean of the school and Br. Basil J. Valente, O.F.M., has been named director of the Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) program. Both appointments are effective immediately.
Hoffmann is an associate professor of journalism and mass communication. Prior to her faculty career at St. Bonaventure, she was the corporate communications manager for The CRS Companies in Williamsville, N.Y., creative services specialist for the Catholic Health System (now Catholic Health), and served as a free-lance consultant for organizations such as Catholic Health, Buffalo Women’s Gifts, and the Health Care Access Coalition.
In addition to her teaching experience at St. Bonaventure, she has also served as a visiting instructor for the University at Buffalo. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in communication from the University at Buffalo in 2007 and her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in mass communication from St. Bonaventure.
Hoffmann was the founding faculty adviser to Embrace It Africa, a St. Bonaventure student organization-turned nonprofit organization that involves students in entrepreneurial service programs in Uganda. She now serves as an advisory board member for the organization.
Hoffmann has served as a member of the University’s Faculty Senate, where she also chaired the Enrollment Committee and served as the Faculty Senate representative to the University Board of Trustees Enrollment Committee. She is the co-owner of Wild Mountain Organics of Alden, N.Y., and Mt. Pleasant, N.C.
“We are delighted that Dr. Hoffmann was eager to provide leadership for the Jandoli School,” said Fischer. “Her professional communication experience, coupled with her teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, will serve her well in this important role.”
“I am thrilled to serve as interim dean,” said Hoffmann. “I realize that I have some very big shoes to fill, but am confident that Lee Coppola’s leadership has put the Jandoli school in a position for me to step in and to implement a proposed new major in Strategic Communication and Digital Media as well as ensure that our existing Journalism and Integrated Marketing Communications programs continue to be at the forefront of the fields.”
Br. Valente is an assistant professor of journalism and mass communication and director of the prestigious Francis E. Kelley Oxford study abroad program. Teaching courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, he created the IMC program and has co-authored the curriculum for the proposed new undergraduate program in Strategic Communication and Digital Media.
Having previously served as assistant director of public affairs for Marketing and Creative Services at St. Bonaventure, he is the recipient of numerous regional and national awards for graphic design and marketing campaigns. Br. Valente earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in marketing/management from Siena College, a master’s degree in communications from The American University, a second master’s degree in pastoral communication from Washington Theological Union and he continues to accomplish significant amounts of research and writing in the field of international marketing communications in the Bodleian Library in Oxford, England.
“As one of the faculty involved in creating the IMC program, it is very fitting that Br. Basil now be positioned to provide leadership for the program” said Fischer. “He will lead the program at what is a very exciting time for the field of marketing communications.”
“I'm eager to put my experience in International Marketing Communications to good use, by moving the IMC program ahead and ensuring we continue to offer a graduate program that is highly respected and unparalleled in both strategic vision and graduate marketing communications education,” said Br. Valente.
Lee Coppola, former dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, will retire at the end of August after 15 years of service in that role. IMC Program Director Kathleen Mason also retired from her teaching and leadership role at the University in May.
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About the University: Inspired for more than 150 years by the Franciscan values of individual dignity, community inclusiveness, and service, St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. No wonder U.S. News and World Report has for years considered us a “Great School at a Great Price.”