The AJHA Board of Directors has named Erin Coyle as second vice president, filling the position vacated upon the death of Pam Parry. Per the AJHA Constitution and Bylaws, the Board is tasked with appointing officers to vacated positions, subject to confirmation by the AJHA membership at the next election. 

Coyle thanked the board for the opportunity to serve AJHA at a time when we need to strongly defend education, journalism history, historical research, journalism, press freedom, and civil rights.

“I am proud of this organization for providing opportunities for historians to research communication and underrepresented members of society,” Coyle said.

“This organization provides essential mentorship and support for journalism historians,” she said. “I am looking forward to working with our members to continue fostering mentorship and support for communication historians.”

Coyle researches advocacy for free expression, rights to access government information and government proceedings, and conflicts between free expression and privacy rights. Winner of the 2023 AJHA National Award for Excellence in Teaching, Coyle teaches courses in journalism history, media law and ethics, writing and reporting, and theory as an associate professor at Temple University.

She is the author of The Press and Rights to Privacy: First Amendment Freedoms vs. Invasion of Privacy Claims and articles in top media law and media history journals.

Coyle has served two terms on the AJHA Board of Directors and has been chair of the Research Committee. She also has been a liaison to the Graduate Student Committee and assisted with the silent auction.

President Debbie van Tuyll said Coyle is an outstanding choice to join the AJHA leadership.

“She is an excellent scholar and teacher, energetic and organized,” van Tuyll said. “I've been so impressed as I've worked with her in various capacities over the years—everything she does is done thoughtfully and well. I am truly looking forward to serving with her.”

First Vice President Michael Fuhlhage said he is thrilled that Coyle will be joining the leadership team.

“I have known her since joining the doctoral program at UNC, and she conducts herself as a scholar with great care, skill, and integrity,” Fuhlhage said. “It will be a pleasure to serve AJHA alongside her."

Coyle will fulfill the tasks associated with the second vice president for the remainder of this year, which includes assembling the conference program. If confirmed by the membership on the fall ballot, Coyle will ascend to the position of first vice president after this year’s convention in Long Beach and then to president the following year.