Dr. Gail F. Baker

In her current role, Dr. Gail F. Baker is USD’s chief academic officer and works closely with President James T. Harris III and the university’s academic deans. Prior to joining USD in 2017, Dr. Baker was dean of the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media at the University of Nebraska Omaha. She also served as executive associate to the chancellor of UNO as well as other university leadership positions. At the University of Florida, she served as chair of the Department of Public Relations in the College of Journalism and Communications. She later served as vice president of public relations and special assistant to the president. At the University of Missouri-Columbia, she was chair of advertising and directed the Minority Recruiting Program of the School of Journalism.

Dr. Baker holds a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, a Master of Science degree in marketing communications from Roosevelt University, and a doctorate in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her industry experience includes public relations positions with IBM and International Harvester (now Navistar). She was a reporter and editor for the Chicago Daily Defender Newspaper. She has earned recognition for her work as a teacher, scholar, communications practitioner, and writer. She has authored books and articles and is the winner of four Emmy Awards for Excellence in Documentary Writing and Producing.