Donald Heider assumes his new role as executive director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics today. As the chief executive of the Center, Heider has full responsibility for its vision, strategy, fundraising, and leadership. In addition to his role as executive director, Heider serves as the John Courtney Murray, S.J. University Professor of Social Ethics and holds an appointment as professor of communication.
Formerly dean of the School of Communication at Loyola University Chicago, Heider also was associate provost for strategy and innovation and the founding director of the University's Center for Digital Ethics and Policy. He was recently named "Administrator of the Year" by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.
An experienced innovator and collaborator, Heider has edited multiple books and written numerous articles on digital ethics and journalism. Before his appointment as professor of communication at Loyola University Chicago, Heider held faculty appointments in communication and journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park; the University of Texas, Austin; and the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is also a five-time Emmy award winner following a highly successful career in broadcast television news.
“Dr. Heider brings a wealth of experience to Santa Clara University as a scholar of digital ethics, public intellectual, and creative leader,” said SCU Provost Dennis Jacobs. “I am excited by his bold aspirations for taking the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics to the next level.”
“This is a remarkable opportunity to join a world-class ethics center at an outstanding Jesuit university,” said Heider. “I look forward to working with the staff and advisory board at the Markkula Center, and with students, staff and faculty at Santa Clara to continue and expand the fine work the center has done.”
Heider received a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Colorado; an M.A. in journalism from American University; and a B.S. in speech communication from Colorado State University.