Dr. Mark Braun
Gustavus Adolphus College President Jack R. Ohle announced today (Thursday, March 10, 2011) that Dr. Mark Braun has accepted the position of Provost and Dean of the College. He will assume the post effective June 15, 2011.
“This is a very important time as we look forward to celebrating 150 years of academic excellence at Gustavus,” said President Ohle. “As the College’s chief academic officer, Dr. Braun will bring significant experience to the position and will make a meaningful contribution to the future of teaching and learning at the College.”
Dr. Braun has been Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., since 2007. Prior to that, he served Gustavus for 17 years, first as professor and chair of the Department of Communication Studies, where he taught courses in media and society, media process and criticism, broadcasting, organizational communication, communication theory, and persuasion. He served as Associate Dean at Gustavus from 1999 to 2007.
“At Gustavus, Dr. Braun will oversee all academic departments and a wide range of programs and offices,” said President Ohle. These include Academic Advising, the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library, Gustavus Technology Services, Institutional Research, International and Cultural Education, the Registrar’s Office, the Hillstrom Museum of Art, the Linnaeus Arboretum, the Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation, and the Nobel Conference.
Dr. Braun holds a doctorate in speech-communication from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in speech-communication from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He was a participant in the 2003-2004 Thrivent Lutheran College and University Leadership Program, a yearlong intensive leadership development program. He was recently invited by the Council of Independent Colleges to co-lead its mentoring program for new chief academic officers.
He has published widely on communication topics. His research interests include technology policy making, gender and mass media organizations, and communication studies pedagogy. His 1994 book, AM Stereo and the FCC: A Marketplace Shibboleth, is an analysis of federal regulatory decision-making on new technology. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Braun has made presentations and served on panels at workshops and conferences hosted by such organizations as the Council of Independent Colleges, the Lutheran Academic Officers Conference, and the National Communication Association. He has been interviewed by numerous media outlets, including Minnesota Public Radio, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and WCCO radio.
Dr. Braun has an extensive record of service to the field of higher education and to the communities in which he has lived. He has served on assessment and planning teams for the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), has been a member of the board of directors of the Broadcast Education Association, and has served on the Lutheran Academic Officers National Conference Planning Committee. He is a manuscript reviewer for several publishers in his field. In 1994, he received the Outstanding Citizen Award from the City of Mankato in recognition of his many contributions to that community.
“It is a deep honor to accept this position at Gustavus,” said Dr. Braun. “I look forward to returning to an institution that has meant a great deal to me, professionally and personally, and I am excited to have this opportunity to lead at a time of great momentum at the College.”
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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication Luc Hatlestad
luch@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510