Marianne Barrett, Ph.D. retired in July 2023 as the Louise Solheim Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication where she taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses and conducted research on television audience behavior. She served as the school’s Senior Associate Dean from 2011 to 2017, and as Associate Dean from 2005-2011, having been promoted from Associate Director when the Cronkite School became independent. 

Barrett brought her experiences as an ESPN programming executive to the Cronkite School when she joined the faculty in 1994. She received her doctorate in mass media from Michigan State University and her Master of Professional Studies in media administration from Syracuse University.

Her work appeared in A Research Agenda for Media Economics, The Journal of Media Economics, Communication Law and Policy, The Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, and The Broadcast Cable Financial Management Journal.

In retirement she enjoys traveling, both domestically and internationally, leisure reading and photography. She currently is a member of the ASURA luncheon committee.