Dean Ernest J. Wilson III (pictured, middle) recently announced the members of his leadership team of directors, associate and assistant deans, and executive assistant. 

“I am delighted to announce the appointments of the highly respected and tremendously talented individuals who -- together with directors Larry Gross (left) and Michael Parks (right) -- will serve in key leadership positions,” Wilson said.  

The leadership team includes:

Sandra Ball-Rokeach , Ph.D., professor of communication and sociology, will serve as associate dean for faculty affairs. Sandra is a widely published scholar and director of our pioneering Metamorphosis project. She will be principally responsible for overseeing the appointment, promotion and tenure process as well as other key areas of faculty governance.

Abigail Kaun, Ph.D., associate dean of graduate programs at USC College, will rejoin USC Annenberg as associate dean for academic programs and student affairs. Many of you know Abby from her previous service as associate director of our School of Communication. In her new role, she will coordinate and supervise all of our programs and services related to students.  For example, she will be the School's point person on the new USC Annenberg Fellows Program and oversee our academic advisement, student affairs, career development and international programs.  

New to USC Annenberg is Carola Weil, Ph.D., who will serve as assistant dean for strategic initiatives. Carola is currently a senior program officer at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., the institution established and funded by the U.S. Congress to "prevent and resolve violent international conflicts and promote post-conflict stability and development." During the 2004-05 academic year, she was a visiting scholar at USC's Center for International Studies and visiting lecturer at USC College's School of International Relations. She is also the former executive director of the Center for International Development and Conflict Management at the University of Maryland and former executive director of Women in National Security.

"I have known (Weil) for many years and am impressed with her intellect, strategic vision and effective organizational leadership," Wilson said. "When she joins us in November, she will help develop and lead a number of initiatives that bolster our efforts in the areas I mentioned as institutional priorities: innovation, internationalization and impact."

Rebecca Avila has been promoted to senior associate dean for administration and finance. Becky has been an invaluable colleague in this leadership transition and will continue to oversee the administrative operation of the School with direct responsibility for our business office, facilities and technology department and admissions office.  

Geoffrey Baum, assistant dean for public affairs and special events, and Michelle Clark, assistant dean for development and alumni relations, will continue in their important roles on Wilson’s senior staff focusing on the School's external relations and institutional advancement.  

Cynthia Harrison will serve as executive assistant to the Dean. Cynthia comes from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, where she is the chief assistant to Dean Yannis Yortsos. Cynthia also worked with Provost C.L. Max Nikias when he was dean of USC Viterbi.  

Former associate deans Martin Kaplan and Tom Hollihan will continue to work in the School or on School projects in a different capacity.  

“It is important that we all acknowledge the exceptional service provided by associate deans Martin Kaplan and Tom Hollihan,” Wilson said. “Their wisdom, creativity and hands-on hard work were essential to the School's tremendous progress over the last decade. I am deeply grateful for their service and friendship and am very, very pleased they will remain active members of the USC Annenberg faculty whom I plan to consult regularly in the months ahead.  

“I also owe a great deal of thanks to Debra Lawler, who has worked long hours and done an outstanding job helping me over the past few months," Wilson said. "After a period of transition this fall, Deb will move full-time to our Center on Communication Leadership, where she will serve as assistant director.”