Campus Life

Dr. Kurt Wise named chair of UWF Department of Communication Arts

The University of West Florida announces Dr. Kurt Wise as the chair for the Department of Communication Arts. In this role, Wise supports both the educational mission of the University and the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities by providing management for the department.

“I am looking forward to working with Dr. Wise,” said Dr. Martha Saunders, UWF provost. “He brings a wealth of experience to the department and will make important connections with the campus and the community.”

Dr. Kurt Wise

Previously, Wise served as professor and chair of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations for the Florida International University School of Journalism and Mass Communication. He has also held faculty appointments at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, DePaul University in Illinois, Virginia Tech University in Virginia, and So

uthern Methodist University in Texas.

He has been published in the Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review and the Journal of Health and Human Services Administration.

“I am pleased to be joining the team at the Department of Communication Arts,” Wise said. “This is an exceptionally exciting time in the communications

arena, and I look forward to helping students, faculty and staff achieve their personal and professional goals.”

Prior to his academic career, Wise held executive-level public relations management positions in the political, gaming, natural resources and medical device manufacturing fields.

Wise earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and speech communication and a master’s degree in telecommunication from Indiana University, and a doctorate in mass communication from the University of Maryland.