Pepperdine Communication Divisional Dean Sarah Stone Watt Named the 2022 Dr. Shawn Long Administrator of the Year

Sarah Stone Watt, divisional dean of the Communication Division and a professor of communication at Seaver College, was named the 2022 Dr. Shawn Long Administrator of the Year by the Association for Communication Administration (ACA).

“[Dr. Stone Watt’s] constant mindfulness of the task of service promotes engaged reflection and dedication to the ACA and the area of communication administration at large,” reads the ACA’s announcement regarding the award. “[Her] involvement demonstrates her genuine commitment to helping to enhance the communication discipline. She recognizes the impact that a person can make on others and takes seriously her service contributions, and the enactment of that in applying her willingness to serve for higher education"

A former president of the ACA, Stone Watt has been active within the organization for the past six years, and she often volunteers to assist with proceedings when given the opportunity. Her commitment to service, coupled with her exemplary professorial and administrative abilities, helped reinforce her candidacy for this honor.

“The Association for Communication Administration is composed of individuals who serve in academic leadership positions such as deans and department chairs and those who are deeply familiar with the field of communications studies,” said Stone Watt. “I am honored to have been recognized and nominated by my peers for this meaningful award.”

At Seaver College, Stone Watt’s courses emphasize topics such as communication, women’s studies, sustainability, and social action and justice. Her research, similarly, focuses on rhetoric related to race and gender in public controversy. Alongside her scholarly efforts, Stone Watt’s leadership as a divisional dean has bolstered the Seaver College Communication Division and its adjoining initiatives. 

“I am thrilled that Dr. Stone Watt has been recognized by the Association for Communication Administration with the 2022 Dr. Shawn Long Administrator of the Year award, which highlights her significant service to the ACA, as well as her leadership and administrative prowess,” said Michael Feltner, dean of Seaver College. “Having the privilege of working alongside Sarah for many years, I can confidently state that this recognition was long overdue. Sarah has been a leader at Seaver College, a fact exemplified by the skill she has demonstrated by leading both the debate program and Communication Division. An outstanding educator, scholar, and leader, we are very proud that Sarah is one of our own. She has been and will continue to be a blessing to Pepperdine.”

 

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