Getting to know Scripps College Dean Scott Titsworth

As another academic year begins at Ohio University and a new class of first-year students enter the Scripps College of Communication, one of the first people they’ll want to get to know is Dean Scott Titsworth, who became dean of the Scripps College in 2010. As dean and leader of the college, he has many responsibilities including maintaining the high academic integrity and quality of the school, as well as managing student recruitment, admission, and academic progress. But his favorite part of the job is getting to know students and helping them achieve their goals.

“My opportunities to interact with students is still the highlight of my job,” said Titsworth. “I love bearing witness to people growing and learning new things and am honored to be a part of that growth.”

Titsworth’s journey to Ohio University started in his hometown of Parsons, Kan. The town, located in the southeast part of the state, is home to about 12,000 people.

“It had a history of being a ‘railroad town,’” Titsworth said. “In fact, several members of my family worked for the railroad running trains from Parsons to Kansas City or Muskogee, Oklahoma.”

But Titsworth didn’t follow in those same footsteps. He decided to go to college to pursue a career in media and communication. He was a communication major at Emporia State University where he received a BFA degree. Then, Titsworth got his master’s degree in communication from Missouri State University. And, finally, he earned his doctorate in instructional communication from the University of Nebraska.

Before starting to work in academia, Titsworth worked at KLKC radio in his hometown. He got the opportunity to do a little bit of everything, working both on air and behind the scenes.

“That station was the only local radio station and always had a friendly rivalry with the local newspaper in terms of news and sports coverage,” said Titsworth. “My role at the station started as a news reporter covering local city council meetings, school board meetings, county commission meetings (those were a hoot!), and selective breaking news stories. I also anchored the 5 p.m. newscast at various points in time to get live on-air experience. As I continued to work at the station, I also did other things like work DJ/Announcer shifts and even sell advertising.”

Eventually, Titsworth realized that he wanted to use his talents and skills to help others learn about and pursue their dreams in the field of communication.

“I think through team activities in high school and college I learned to appreciate the opportunity to help others,” he said. “Once I entered my master’s program, I got the opportunity to teach and that became a passion/calling.”

In 2001, Titsworth and his wife (Communication Studies Professor Lynn Harter, who is the co-director of the Barbara Geralds Institute for Storytelling and Social Impact) were teaching at Minnesota State University Morehead, when they learned of two teaching opportunities at Ohio University.

“Ohio University had jobs open that exactly fit our teaching and research interests,” said Titsworth. “The reputation of the university caused us to apply for the jobs, and, once we visited campus, we were hooked!”

Titsworth is a leading scholar in the area of classroom communication effectiveness. With more than 50 books, chapters, and articles published on the topic, his most recent research has explored ways in which students’ emotional experiences are related to their learning activities, including both note-taking and cognitive performance.

In his more than 20 years in the Scripps College at Ohio University, Titsworth has held several different roles including director of the graduate studies and director of the School of Communication Studies. He realizes the work of educating and training the next generation of media professionals is more important now than it has ever been.

“Our society and culture are being defined more and more by the creation of mediated messages. Those messages are different than the media I grew up with. Literally anyone can become a content creator and build a platform for disseminating content, ideas, and art,” said Titsworth. “Having training in how to do that creation effectively and ethically is what will allow someone to stand out as a professional in a highly saturated communication ecosystem. Equally important is the critical thinking and ethical orientation that we instill across our majors. My sincere hope is that our students leave here with both professional training and a deep commitment to being a positive contributor to their community and broader society.”

As dean, Titsworth doesn’t get to spend much time in the classroom teaching these lessons to students, which he truly misses. But he is proud of the work the dean’s office does to create unique learning opportunities for Scripps students which enable them to graduate with the skills to make an impact in the industry right away.

“We have started programs like the Innovation Scholars, created thriving experiential learning programs like Scripps in DC and OHIO in LA, new majors and certificates, and many other student-facing opportunities,” said Titsworth. “As dean I have the honor of being part of many of those as they are created and implemented.”

Watching the students take advantage of those opportunities and use the experience they gain in Athens to have successful communication careers brings Titsworth great joy.

“I am so proud of the culture that exists in the college,” he said. “Our students do amazing work because they take both in-class and out-of-class learning seriously. I don’t think we are here to just give degrees; we are helping students develop equipment and capabilities for life-long learning and success. Our faculty care deeply about students and create learning opportunities that facilitate this culture. Our people, including students, faculty, and staff, are forward looking and excited to be with each other.”

Titsworth has one piece of advice for incoming students to help them make the most of their time in the Scripps College.

“Get to know people,” said Titsworth. “Of course, part of your learning will be documented on your transcript as a result of grades you receive in classes. Take that part seriously. But also know that much of your learning and your growth as a person will take place as a result of the relationships you make while here. Meet people, respect who they are, and respect who you are. The energy you give to helping others succeed will pay massive dividends for your own successes.”

To learn more about Scripps College of Communication majors, minors and certificates visit: https://www.ohio.edu/scripps-college/.