Cates Named Executive Director-Elect of SSCA

VALDOSTA - Dr. Carl M. Cates was recently appointed as executive director elect of the Southern States Communication Association.

Professor and head of communication arts at Valdosta State University, Cates' accolades include the Outstanding New Teacher Award for SSCA in 1996, the States Advisory Council Administrator of the Year Award in 2006, and participation in more than 50 paper and panel sessions on his areas of research interest including communication theory, leadership, debate and listening. He has also published six articles and one book chapter, in addition to co-authoring a textbook.

A former president of the Georgia Communication Association, he continues to assist with the national revivication of the Association for Communication Administration. Cates also serves as president of the Rotary Club of Valdosta. While he has served at VSU, the Communication Arts Department has added three new degree programs in addition to a doubling of students and faculty members.

During his SSCA membership, the experienced communicator has served on standing committees for constitution, finance, nominations, resources development and many more. He also served as program planner for the American Communications Association interest group and the Intercultural Divisions, and as reviewer, panel chair and respondent for various divisions.

“It is an honor to be selected for this key role in the Southern States Communication Association,” said Cates, who holds a Ph.D. from Florida State University. “I look forward to working with our leadership team to build on the efforts of those serving before us.”

From 2010-2015, Cates will serve as executive director of the SSCA, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the study, criticism, research, teaching and application of the artistic, humanistic and scientific principles of communication.