Biography

Steve Dittmore joined the University of North Florida as Dean of the Silverfield College of Education and Human Services in July 2024. Prior to this role, he spent two years at Baldwin Wallace University as Dean of the College of Education and Health Sciences and 14 years as an administrator and faculty member at the University of Arkansas where he was awarded tenure and was promoted to associate professor in 2012. He was promoted to full professor at the University of Arkansas in 2018, and served as an associate dean from 2018-2022.

Dittmore received a PhD from the University of Louisville in 2007 and holds bachelor's and master’s degrees in journalism from Drake University. He was an assistant editor at “AthleticDirectorU,” a vertical website from D1.Ticker designed to promote thought leadership ideas among intercollegiate athletic directors, and also writes for his Substack newsletter, “Glory Days.” A recognized researcher in the areas of sport media and intercollegiate athletics, he is a co-author of a Sport Public Relations textbook and is preparing revisions for a fourth edition. He is an author on nearly 50 peer reviewed journal articles, 12 book chapters, and more than 70 peer reviewed presentations. He was a AALI/CIC Senior Leadership Academy fellow in 2023-24 and a Southeastern Conference Academic Leadership Development fellow in 2021-22.

Prior to entering higher education, Dittmore worked a decade in sport public relations. He had the good fortune of holding leadership roles at two Olympic Games (Atlanta 1996 and Salt Lake City 2002), working sports events in 10 countries, and presenting at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. He is also the author of Jim Gilliam: The Forgotten Dodger which was published in February 2025 by August Publications.

Education

PhD, Educational Leadership and Organizational Development, University of Louisville, 2007
M.A., Mass Communication, Drake University, 1996
B.A., News-Editorial Journalism, Drake University, 1991

Academic Appointments

University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Fla. (2024 to present)

Dean, Silverfield College of Education and Human Services

Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio (2022-24)

Dean, College of Education and Health Sciences

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark. (2008-2022)

Associate Dean for Research, Strategy & Innovation, College of Education and Health Professions (2021-2022)
Assistant Dean for Outreach & Innovation, College of Education and Health Professions (2017-2021)
Assistant Department Head/Graduate Coordinator, Health, Human Performance and Recreation (2015-2018)
Professor (2018-2022)
Associate Professor (2013-2018)
Assistant Professor (2008-2013)

Assistant Professor, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pa. (2006-2008)
Instructor, University of Louisville, Louisville, Ky. (2004-2006)
Instructor, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan. (2002-2004)
Adjunct/Visiting Appointments

New York University, New York, NY (2022)
Instituto de Empresa, Madrid Spain (2008-2013)
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio (2013)

Professional Experience

Venue Media Manager, Special Olympics World Games, Los Angeles, Calif. (2015)
Director, Venue Press Services & Facilities, Salt Lake Organizing Committee, Salt Lake City, Utah (1999-2002)
Communications Manager, Koch Industries, Inc., Rosemount, Minn. (1997-1999)
Account Executive, Karwoski & Courage Public Relations, Minneapolis, Minn. (1997)
Media Relations Consultant, University of Minnesota Athletics, Minneapolis, Minn. (1997)
Venue Press Operations Coordinator, Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, Atlanta, Ga. (1995-1996)
Manager of Public Relations, USA Wrestling, Colorado Springs, Colo. (1992-1995)