Pamela Whitten has been recommended as new dean of the MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences. Her appointment is subject to approval by the MSU Board of Trustees.

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — The appointment of Pamela Whitten as dean of the Michigan State University College of Communication Arts and Sciences has been approved by the MSU Board of Trustees.

Whitten currently is a professor in the college’s Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media, as well as associate dean for research and graduate studies. Her new appointment is effective July 1.

She began her MSU career in 1998 when she was appointed assistant professor in the Department of Telecommunication. Moving quickly up the ranks, Whitten was promoted to associate professor in 2001 and full professor in 2004. She also has served as a research fellow in the College of Human Medicine, Institute of Health Care Studies (1998-2004), director of the Health Risk and Communication Center (2004-05) and program director of MSU’s Family Research Initiative (2006-07).

Prior to coming to MSU, Whitten was on faculty at the University of Kansas Medical Center where she launched and administered a telemedicine program for the state of Kansas.

Whitten’s research interests have focused mainly on the use of technology in health care, specifically telehealth and telemedicine. She is interested in using technology to bring health services and education to underserved populations.

Whitten earned a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University, a master’s from the University of Kentucky and doctorate from the University of Kansas.

Whitten succeeds Charles Salmon, who served as dean from 2004-09.

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