Hans Meyer named next director of OHIO’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism following Eddith Dashiell’s retirement

Hans Meyer has been named the next director of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism in the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University, taking over for Eddith Dashiell, who is retiring in June after five years leading the school.

“I am humbled and awed to be named director of this renowned journalism school. As an academic, you always talk about ‘standing on the shoulders of giants.’ Well, I get to do that now as the next director,” said Meyer. “It will be hard to live up to the example of previous directors and mentors I've personally interacted with, such as Eddith Dashiell, Bob Stewart and Tom Hodson, while also furthering the legacy of those who founded the school. I'm grateful for the support and trust my faculty colleagues have placed in me, and I will ensure we work together to build this program.”

“I am truly excited to work with Dr. Meyer as the next Director of the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism. Dr. Meyer served as the associate director for the school and was the driving force behind the creation of the school’s digital streaming studio. He has taught multiple courses in digital storytelling and podcasting. With these experiences, he brings to the position an orientation that will be forward leaning as the school evolves to meet the changing landscape of the industry,” said Scripps College Dean Scott Titsworth. “Hans is also committed to creating opportunities for student engagement with communities. He has led multiple high-impact experiential learning projects, including taking students to report on the London Olympics. He also has expressed interest in working with faculty and students to address news and information gaps in local communities.”

Meyer started at Ohio University in Fall 2009. He became the associate director of undergraduate studies in Fall 2020 and became a full professor in Fall 2023. His research interest focuses on what motivates citizen contributions to online news sites and the ways news organizations can meet these needs. Meyer is also working toward a new definition of credibility for online media that incorporates the connection audiences feel toward the reporter and the site.

“Information, good verifiable fact, has never been more important, but it seems we are overpowered by half-truths and rumors,” said Meyer. “Communicators need a solid foundation to cut through the clutter and provide audiences with information they can use to make decisions. I'm committed to facilitating this education while also standing up for journalism as a vital practice for democracy. The path to improvement begins with the digital natives. I strongly believe, as so many others smarter than me have said, that today's students will establish the future of journalism. We just have to provide them the tools and background to do it.”

Before joining the academy, Meyer worked for nearly 10 years in leadership roles at community newspapers, starting as the Mesquite, Nev. bureau chief for the St. George, Utah Spectrum and working up to the general manager of the 6,000-daily-circulation Desert Dispatch in Barstow, California.

As both the job market and communication world continue to evolve due to technology, Meyer believes the knowledge and skills students gain in the journalism school are vitally important.

“Students with journalism skills, such as reporting, interviewing, and writing quickly and succinctly for a specified audience, are in more demand than ever,” said Meyer. “Technology has enabled countless ways to communicate. We need to embrace those tools to reach audiences where they are. I think we are already doing that. Our growth as a journalism school will come when we better educate people about the skills our graduates bring to the table. I think it's also important to embrace the reasons why advertising and public relations are an inseparable part of this school. Both fields rely on the communication skills of a news reporter along with a commitment to truth, independence and transparency. The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism can and does stand as a beacon of ethical communication practice no matter the medium or field.”

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Meyer will assume director duties on July 1, just after Dashiell’s retirement becomes effective. Dashiell was both the first woman and the first African American to hold the director position. She joined OHIO in 1992 and served in several roles in the Scripps College including associate director of undergraduate programs and associate dean for graduate programs. She also served the University as assistant provost for multicultural graduate affairs.

“Dr. Hans Meyer has made important contributions to the school during my five years as director.  In addition to being the school’s assistant director for undergraduate studies, he has also served on The Post Publishing Board and has provided important technology support in creating our news streaming lab. Dr. Meyer is a great colleague, and I am pleased that he will become the next director after I retire this June,” said Dashiell. “It has been a privilege to serve as director of the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism.  Dr. Meyer and the rest of our colleagues have been diligent and committed to preserving the school’s reputation as being one of the top journalism programs in the country.”