Arizona State University

Battinto Batts Jr.

Last June, ASU rescinded a job offer to the incoming dean of its Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

The reversal came as students came forward with accusations of racist and homophobic behavior at her previous position.

Nearly a year later, a new dean has been selected.

The Cronkite School’s new dean will be Battinto Batts, who previously served as the director of journalism strategies for the Scripps Howard Foundation in Cincinnati.

Batts started his career in newspapers but quickly took up an interest in education.

He’s worked as a reporter, philanthropist, administrator and nonprofit executive — a background he said should help when it comes to fundraising for the school.

His doctoral dissertation was on minorities, media and education, and he has taught classes in newswriting, editing and ethics.

Batts said in a statement that good journalism was needed now more than ever.