Gaudino to be new president of Central Washington U.

After a long and thorough process involving visits by officials from both universities, James L. Gaudino, dean of College of Communication and Information, has officially been named as the new president of Central Washington University.

“I thought it was a possibility but a somewhat distant one,” Gaudino said when he applied for the presidency of Central Washington in Ellensburg, Wash., about 10 weeks ago.

As the process progressed, though, Gaudino said he began to see his chances differently.

“For me, Central Washington was a good fit with what I want to do and what I am able to do,” he said.

Gaudino will begin the transition today. He will be officially named the 14th president on Jan. 1, 2009.

“The feeling is bittersweet,” he said. “I’m excited in going out there and starting a new life and career, but there’s regret in leaving Kent State and CCI.”

Gaudino was chosen as the first dean of the new College of Communication and Information in 2003, a year after CCI began.

“I am most proud of the very strong team of leaders we have in CCI,” Gaudino said about his accomplishments as dean.

“I certainly can’t take credit for them,” Gaudino added, “but together we have established a culture within CCI that looks for and creates opportunities rather than obstacles.”

Before becoming dean of CCI, Gaudino was the executive director of the National Communication Association in Washington, D.C.

Now, he will move to Central Washington by Jan. 5. The university is a four-year public institution that focuses on four academic colleges: arts and humanities, business, education and professional studies and sciences.

Central Washington had been searching for a new president since Jerilyn S. McIntyre announced her retirement in January 2008. The search formally began in July.

Contact College of Communications and Information reporter Amy Szabo at [email protected].