Josh Antonuccio named director of School of Media Arts & Studies

The Ohio University Scripps College of Communication has announced that Josh Antonuccio has been named the director of the School of Media Arts & Studies.

“I’m hoping to support our many talented faculty members and continue to enhance the curriculum and innovative programming that we offer in the School of Media Arts & Studies,” Antonuccio said. “I want the students we attract and graduate through our school to know that they have been offered an unparalleled education, one that fully prepared them in their journey as a creative professional.”

A two-time OHIO alumnus, Antonuccio has worked at the university in various capacities since 2008 while maintaining a thriving career in the music industry.

“Josh’s energy and commitment have forged countless professional connections and opportunities for our students,” Dean Scott Titsworth said. “I couldn’t be more excited to see what he’ll bring to the school in this new role.”

Antonuccio serves as director of the OHIO Music Industry Summit, a conference that brings national and regional music industry leaders to campus for panelist and performance programming; hosts the Scripps Visiting Artists Series, an annual on-campus event featuring national musical acts, in partnership with NPR Tiny Desk Concerts host Bob Boilen; was a co-creator of the Immersive Media Initiative, introducing virtual reality production and education in the Scripps College of Communication; and is the creator and director of numerous industry immersion courses including the OHIO South by Southwest trip, the Music Industry Masterclass at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, and the MDIA Production MasterClass Series in New York and Austin, Texas.

Additionally, Antonuccio is producer, creator, and host of the popular WOUB Public Media Gladden House Sessions, a live interview and performance series shot on-site at the annual Nelsonville Music Festival. To date, there have been six seasons and over 70 episodes produced, showcasing both national and emerging artists, with close to two million views across distributed episodes.

This focus on hands-on professional experience and access to industry professionals is a hallmark of the School of Media Arts & Studies. Antonuccio plans to continue and expand these activities in spite of the restrictions associated with the coronavirus.

“My top priority is to maintain engaging and quality education for our students and to ensure the integrity of their education through this pandemic,” he said. “At the same time, our faculty are developing exciting new research projects, curricular initiatives, and industry partnerships for the post-COVID era. Our faculty have built nationally recognized place-based and mentorship programming, directly connecting our students to the industries they want to work in. Those pipelines of direct industry and experiential learning are at the heart of what we do, and I want to help support and expand these areas for Ohio University students."

Antonuccio takes over from previous director Brian Plow, who will stay on in his former capacity as associate professor.