Communication department chair Lois Self is pleased with the choice of her replacement.

“The mood is pretty upbeat,” Self said. “Folks are pretty open and ready to welcome him.”

Steven Ralston, presently a chair of the communication department for the fourth year running at the University of Michigan at Flint, has been announced as the new chair of NIU’s communication department, as of July 1.

“I’m excited about the opportunity the faculty and dean have given me,” Ralston said. “The department is strong in almost every way.”

Ralston received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Old Dominion University, Master of Arts from the University of Tennessee and a Ph.D. in communication theory and research from Indiana University.

He teaches organizational communication, employment interviewing, research methods and theory and senior seminar at UM and is a member of the UM communications advising committee.

Ralston came to NIU’s campus for the interviewing process a few months ago and said the interview “was a gauntlet, but it went very well and very smooth. Everyone was courteous.”

Five faculty members interviewed applicants and narrowed them down to a short list which was given to the Dean of LA&S.

“The dean makes the absolute final decision,” said Mary Larson, senior member of the faculty committee and professor in the communication department. “We think he’s very enthusiastic, he’s got optimistic plans and good interpersonal skills.”