Stephen King, PhD

College of Communication
Department of Communication Arts and Sciences
1987–2004

Stephen “Steve” King is an accomplished dean and scholar, a leader in the community, and among the state’s top experts who worked to reform teacher education and credentialing.

King was named dean of Chico State’s College of Communication—later to be the College of Communication and Education (CME)—in 1987, after serving as faculty, department chair, and associate dean at San Diego State. Acquisition of large grants, recruitment of high-level faculty, and implementation of strategic budgeting systems are just a few highlights of his 17-year deanship.

“He was admired for his devotion to our students, his colleagues, and to Chico State as an institution,” said Arno Rethans, former dean, vice provost, and Hall of Honor member. “He was appreciated for his extraordinary skills as an administrator, for his straightforward speech, for his good sense and trustworthiness, and for his ability to cut through the fog and clouds of uncertainty, distress, and ambiguity.”

King’s impact on teacher education may have been greatest while serving on a statewide advisory panel to the California Teacher Credentialing Commission. After a year-long study, the group made recommendations that brought major reforms to how California trains its teachers. King also served as CSU representative on the Board of Directors of WestEd, the largest education research foundation in the country, and as chair of the CSU Education Deans’ Council.

King is the author of three textbooks in the field of communication and served as associate editor for three different scholarly journals; he also helped found the International Communication Association.

King was elected to the Chico Unified School District Board for a four-year term and served one year as board president. During his tenure he served on the steering committees of three Chico Unified bond election campaigns. King also served as president of the County Red Cross Board of Directors for two years, and he is a 12-year member of the Chico Rotary Club.

At his retirement in 2004, King was honored with the title “Dean Emeritus” by then-Chancellor Charles Reed, who thanked King for his commitment to excellence over more than three decades as well as his vision for and dedication to teacher education.

That same year, King and his wife, Leatha, established the Dr. Stephen W. King Scholarship Fund to be awarded annually to a student or students in CME.