Susanne Shaw Photo: Earl Richardson

Classes: Research & Writing

First year at KU: 1971

Degrees: B.S., education, University of Kansas; M.S., journalism, University of Kansas

Honors: Presidential Award, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications; Al Neuharth Teaching Professorship; Del Brinkman Teaching Professorship; Lifetime Achievement Award, The Freedom Forum; HOPE Award nominee; H. Bernerd Fink Award for Distinguished Classroom Teaching

“It’s simple. It’s all about what’s best for the students.” — Susanne Shaw

by Libby Burgess

You have to get up early to keep up with Susanne Shaw. Besides teaching in the J-School, she runs an educational organization that operates nationally and frequently requires out-of-town travel. Add in her dedication to advising, and it's easy to see why her appointment book fills quickly.

Shaw teaches Research and Writing and participates in outreach programs such as the honors tutorial for Templin Scholars. She is the executive director of the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, the agency responsible for the evaluation of professional journalism and mass communications programs in U.S. colleges and universities. The J-School provides office space to the Council.

Shaw is helping to establish a similar agency for Latin American universities. She also attends many events for professional and educational organizations related to education in journalism and mass communications.

Good advice

She admits she's a frequent traveler, but Shaw always takes the time to advise her students, often helping them with resumes and job searches. She is the advisor for KU athletes and Mount Oread Scholars pursuing degrees in journalism.

Shaw says she believes academic advising is vital to student life and that each student, particularly underclassmen, deserves at least 30 minutes of individual attention. She makes sure those she advises know the importance of becoming an educated person. Shaw advises her students not just on J-School classes but also on the classes they take in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. So that she can continue to advise well, she encourages students, especially those she advises, to give her feedback on classes and instructors throughout the University.

Shaw started teaching at KU more than 30 years ago. Over the years, she has taken two leaves of absence, once to work as associate editor of the Tallahassee Democrat and once to work as editor and publisher of the Coffeyville Journal. She has served as news advisor and general manager of the University Daily Kansan, as the J-School's graduate director and twice as associate dean of the School.

She is a past Executive Director of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the national organization for journalism educators.