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Resume of James D. Spaniolo
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
The University of Texas at Arlington (2004 - Present)
President
Professor of Communication
Professor of Public Affairs
Appointed by The University of Texas System Board of Regents on Nov. 19, 2003, and
assumed office on Feb. 1, 2004.
Michigan State University (1996 - 2004)
Dean, College of Communication Arts and Sciences
Professor, School of Journalism
Chief academic officer of the College, overseeing five departments (Advertising,
Audiology and Speech Sciences, Communication, Journalism, and Telecommunication) with more
than 100 faculty and staff, 3,500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students and an annual
budget in excess of $10 million. Undergraduate student enrollment has increased by more
than 1,000 from 1996-2003.
Fostered more collaborative environment to support new interdisciplinary programs and
activities in one of the country's most distinguished colleges of communications.
Established prestigious James H. and Mary B. Quello Center for Telecommunication
Management and Law by raising more than $3.5 million and recruiting two highly-respected
scholars to launch the Center.
Forged innovative partnership with highly-respected newspaper corporation in Mexico,
Grupo Reforma, providing internships in Mexico, extended visits to the MSU campus for
Mexican journalists and an annual lecture series on North American Journalism.
Developed distinctive undergraduate specialization in Public Relations for students
majoring in Advertising, Communication and Journalism.
Greatly enhanced alumni outreach and development efforts resulting in private financial
support and enhanced visibility for the college's substantial growth.
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation (1989-1996)
The largest media-related private foundation in the United States, currently with more
than $1.5 billion in assets.
Vice President and Chief Program Officer
Responsible for overseeing grant making totaling more than $35 million annually in four
program areas: (1) Community Initiatives (2) Journalism; (3) Arts and Culture; and (4)
Education. also served as Secretary of the Foundation.
Along with the president, relocated Foundation offices from Akron, Ohio to Miami, Florida
and hired 12 new staff members.
Played key role in developing the Foundation's strategic plan leading to more proactive
approach to grant making including new initiatives in all programs.
Directly responsible for Journalism grants and initiatives for four years in addition to
other duties until a new full-time Journalism Program Officer was added to the staff in
1993.
Knight-Ridder, Inc. (1977-1989)
DETROIT FREE PRESS
A major metropolitan daily newspaper with 2,000 employees.
Vice President, Human Resources (1985-1989
)
Assistant to the Publisher
Responsible for employment, compensation and benefits, training and development, quality
circles, communications, safety, security, employee health programs and legal affairs.
Headed department during critical period when Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) to merge non-
editorial operations of the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News was pending.
Instituted programs to support workforce viability efforts including key employee
retention, employee assistance and stress reduction.
Played a major role in developing human resource plan to implement the JOA including
employee selection process and benefits programs for the merged company and severance
package for displaced employees.
Planned and directed major career transition project to assist employees of the two
newspapers who would be displaced by JOA.
Assisted Publisher on a wide-range of activities and strategies.
THE MIAMI HERALD
A major metropolitan daily newspaper with more than 2,000 employees.
General Executive (1983-1985)
Selected for Knight-Ridder's executive development program to obtain hands on
experience in all phases of newspaper management and operations.
As principal staff person, led a task force of community leaders that planned
improvements in Greater Miami's image and quality of life; directed research and prepared
the approved action plan.
Provided full-time staff support for Greater Miami's Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon
Committee and Cuban Immigration, (chaired by the President of Knight-Ridder) which pursued
supplemental federal funding for South Florida.
General Counsel (1979-1983)
Responsible for all legal matters including selecting, supervising and coordinating
outside counsel; provided counsel to all departments and reviewed articles for libel,
privacy, and other First Amendment issues.
Became trusted advisor to the General Manager and Executive Editor.
Provided training seminars for reporters and editors regarding libel and First Amendment
issues.
Conducted major review and critique of newsroom attitudes, practices and policies that
contributed to more positive relationships with readers and the community.
AMERICAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION (ANPA), Washington, D.C. 1978-1979
The National trade association representing most daily newspapers.
Associate General Counsel
Managed in-house legal department; advised officers and ANPA board on legal and
government actions affecting the 1,300 member newspapers.
Organized the first in-house legal department for ANPA.
Forged more cooperative relationships and coalitions with other media and press
associations.
THE MIAMI HERALD (1977 - 1978)
Staff Counsel
Established first in-house legal department at a Knight-Ridder newspaper, lessening
reliance on outside counsel and substantially reducing outside legal fees.
Paul & Thomson, Miami, Florida (1975 - 1977)
Attorney
Handled variety of cases including libel and First Amendment.
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (1970 - 1972)
Assistant to the President
Wrote speeches, acted as liaison with students and other groups, coordinated special
events, assisted with press relations and served as recording secretary for the
President's Executive Group.
Governor's Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice,
Lansing, Michigan (1969 -
1970)
Public Information Officer
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
1975 JD, The University of Michigan Law School
1975 MPA, Public Administration, The University of Michigan
1968 BA, Political Science, Magna Cum Laude, Michigan State University
Editor-in-Chief of campus daily newspaper (State News)
Member of the Florida Bar; Admitted to practice before U.S. Supreme Court, 5th and 11th
Circuits, and United States District Court - Southern District of Florida
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES (current)
Coalition for Urban and Metropolitan Universities, Communications and Public Relations
Committee (vice chair)
Commission of Colleges, Texas delegation (member)
Solutions for America steering committee, American Council on Education (member)
North Texas Commission (member)
Arlington Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee
Metroplex Council (chair)
Arlington Chamber of Commerce Central Arlington Initiative (co-chair)
Texas Leadership Council for the World Congress on Information Technology (member)
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES (1997-2004)
Journalism Advisory Board, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Accrediting Committee, Accrediting Council on Education and Journalism and Mass
Communication
Chairperson of visiting site teams for reaccreditations (under auspices of the
Accrediting Council on Education and Journalism and Mass Communication) at Northwestern
University, University of California (Berkeley), University of Illinois, Indiana
University and Florida International University (1999-2003)
National Board of Directors, MSU Alumni Association
Board of Directors, the State News, the independent (and separately incorporated) student
daily newspaper at Michigan State University
Board of Directors, the University Club at Michigan State University
Board of Directors, Estate Planning and Wealth Strategies Institute at Michigan State
University
Chairperson, Media Board for Ready to Succeed Early Childhood Initiative (statewide)
Delegation of Deans of Journalism and Mass Communication visiting Cuba to explore
development of faculty and student exchange programs (January 2001)
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES (1975 - 1996)
Board of Directors, Miami Donors Forum
Board of Directors, Westminster Christian School
Public Information and Education Committee, Independent Sector
Chairman, Miami Christian Leadership Prayer Breakfast
Vice Chairman, Legal Affairs Committee, ANPA and member of joint task force on press/bar
relations with the American Bar Association
Lecturer, Annual Communications Law Seminar, The Practicing Law Institute, New York
Commencement speaker, College of Communications, University of Miami
Member, Michigan Governor's Commission on Higher Education
Chairperson, Advisory Board, Detroit Public Education Fund
INSTRUCTION
Teach one course per year on First Amendment and Communications Law. Courses have
included: 1) "The First Amendment in the 21st Century (freshman seminar); 2) First
Amendment writing and advocacy (Honors seminar); 3) Law and Public Policy of the Media
(PhD seminar)
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
A Partner, Not A Dragon Fort Worth Star-Telegram, November 21, 2005
Worthwhile Investment Fort Worth Star-Telegram, December 19, 2004
U.S., Cuba Must Start Anew (op-ed column), Detroit Free Press, February 1, 2001
Renewed Sense of American Unity Shines (op-ed column), Detroit Free Press, October 29,
2001
The Solemn Obligation of Being Deputized, The American Editor, November-December 2002.
AWARDS
Scoffes Award to the MSU faculty member who demonstrated a sustained commitment to the
academic success of the MSU Football program (2001)
MILITARY SERVICE
U.S. Army Reserves, Specialist IV, Medical Corpsman (1968-1974)James D. Spaniolo
President
321 Davis Hall
Box 19125
Arlington, TX 76019-0125
Voice: 817-***-****
Fax: 817-***-****
Email: abovt9@r.postjobfree.com
President's Office Staff
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