Florida State University School of Communication alumnus Mike James has been named as the new dean of Harding University’s Honors College effective in 2015.

James, who received his Ph.D. from Florida State in 1992, has been a member of Harding’s faculty since 1985 and began his career at the university in the office of public relations in 1973.  Harding is a four-year, private liberal arts university located in Searcy, Ark.

Shortly after he earned his doctorate at Florida State, James was promoted to chair of Harding’s department of communication, and was eventually chosen as the first dean of the College of Communication in 2008. James holds the academic rank of Distinguished Professor of Communication. He received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1989, 1995 and 2007.

“Much of my leadership began at the feet of excellent professors like Clevenger, Forrest, Wotring and Rayburn who were fantastic mentors for me in scholarship, service, and research,” James said. “I owe them, and FSU, for keeping me on task.”

Currently, James is serving as the director of Harding University in Greece, a semester-abroad program in Porto Rafti, Greece.

“Dr. James is an excellent and creative teacher with proven leadership and management skills,” Harding provost Larry Long said. “He has worked with honors students in various roles in the past and, during the interview process, demonstrated his analytical and creative skills in projecting ideas to maintain program strengths and develop new enhancements.”