Eric W. Rothenbuhler is dean of the Webster’s School of Communications and a professor. He is a teacher-scholar and a successful academic administrator with experience at multiple universities and a track record of interdisciplinary and international work, strategic innovation, service to students, relational intelligence, and operational skill. At Webster he has led innovation and development of curriculum, faculty and staff, facilities, and community engagement. He has been a campus leader on student retention and success as well as on operational management and efficiencies.

He was previously Associate Dean of the Scripps College of Communication and Professor of Media Arts and Studies at Ohio University (2010-2012), director of the Media Studies MA Program at New School University (2001-2004), a faculty member at University of Iowa (1985-2001) and Texas A&M University (2004-2010). He earned his Ph.D. in 1985 from the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Southern California with a dissertation on the living room celebration of the television audience for the 1984 Summer Olympic games.

He is author or co-editor of three books and a four-volume encyclopedia, and author of more than 70 articles, chapters, essays, and reviews on media, ritual, community, media industries, popular music, and communication theory. His work has been translated into multiple languages and he has been an invited or featured speaker in many countries in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.