Public Policy guru Michael Delli Carpini will succeed Kathleen Jamieson as dean of the Annenberg School for Communication, University President Judith Rodin announced today.
"The main thing and the biggest challenge for me will be... not replacing but following Kathleen Hall Jamieson," said Delli Carpini, who currently serves as director of the public policy program of the Philadelphia-based Pew Charitable Trusts. "My first priority is, like a physician, to do no harm."
Jamieson was named dean of the Annenberg School in 1989. A year ago, a search committee was organized to find a replacement by the time her term ended.
Carpini began his academic career at Penn, earning his undergraduate degree and a masters in Political Science at the University. "Both excited and honored" to be returning, he called his decision to accept the appointment "pretty much a no-brainer."
"It feels like I'm at home in a lot of ways," he said, adding that Annenberg's "mix of scholarship and teaching combined with trying to be part of the public conversation" drew him back to Penn.
Carpini has worked on the faculty at Barnard College, Columbia University and Rutgers University. He has also authored several books and articles on politics and public policy.
"He will bring to this job a depth of knowledge and expertise that will further enhance the School's already stellar international reputation," Provost Robert Barchi said in a press release.
