New director named for WSU communication school

Washington State University has named a new director of its Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, after ending the term of its 20-year leader earlier this spring.

Erica Austin, a professor in the school, was elected by her colleagues and supported by administrators, WSU said in a news release Tuesday. She’ll replace Alex Tan, the longtime director of the school, who remains as a tenured professor though he’s applied for another job at the University of Georgia.

Austin has a one-year appointment that can be extended to two years.

“Professor Austin received strong support from her colleagues,” said Erich Lear, dean of liberal arts, following faculty balloting. “That support, combined with university-wide respect for her leadership abilities and research excellence, give me confidence that she will build on the tremendous accomplishments Alexis Tan facilitated over the past two decades as director. I predict that a period of tremendous growth lies ahead for the school.”

Austin holds a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University, with graduate degrees from Stanford. Her research focuses on the way the media and parents influence the decisions of children about health, politics and society.

Lear has said Tan’s directorship was ended over concerns among faculty and administrators over his decision-making skills and relationships outside the university, as well as his ability to promote change after being in the job for so long.