photo by: Submitted

Cory Armstrong

A journalism professor at the University of Nebraska who is an expert in how media organizations help the public during weather events is the third announced candidate to lead KU’s journalism school.

Cory Amstrong will give a public presentation at 2 p.m. on Monday to outline her vision for the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. Armstrong, who is one of four expected finalists for the dean position at the journalism school, will speak at Watson Library on the Lawrence campus.

Armstrong most recently has served as the associate dean of research and faculty affairs and diversity officer at the University of Nebraska’s College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

After a 10 year career as a local newspaper journalist in Ohio, Armstrong began an academic career that has included faculty and teaching positions at the University of Alabama, the University of North Texas, the University of Florida, and the University of Wisconsin before arriving at the University of Nebraska.

Armstrong has become a researcher in how individuals use media to make decisions during weather events, and has secured more than $700,000 in grant funding to study media messaging related to severe weather.

Armstrong is one of four finalists for the dean position. Scott Reinardy, a KU journalism professor who is serving as the school’s interim dean, and Judith Rosenbaum-Andre chair of the Department of Communication and Journalism at the University of Maine, were announced earlier. The fourth candidate is expected to be announced in the coming days.

The dean position became open after longtime journalism dean Ann Brill stepped down from the position last year to return to teaching duties at the school.