It was announced recently that Professor Philip Seib will step down as director of USC Annenberg’s Center on Public Diplomacy.

 

As of Aug. 1, Seib will return to teaching and research full-time at USC Annenberg as a professor of journalism and public diplomacy and at USC’s Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences as a professor of international relations.

 

According to a story on the USC Annenberg website, Seib will be succeeded by Associate Professor Jay Wang, a scholar and consultant in international corporate communication and public diplomacy.

 

“As I sincerely thank Professor Seib for his remarkable stewardship over the past four years, I welcome Dr. Wang, who I know will continue to lead us to great heights in the years ahead,” said Dean Earnest J. Wilson III. “His combination of practical experience, his regional expertise and his mastery of the key issues of public diplomacy will strengthen our premier position even further.”

Wang has said that he is looking forward to the “challenges of his new position.”

“Under Professor Seib’s leadership, the Center has become a global leader in the study and practice of public diplomacy,” said Wang. “I will continue our efforts to strengthen the Center’s leadership position around the world, and to make the CPD website the most comprehensive and informative resource on public diplomacy.”

The Center on Public Diplomacy’s Advisory Board is also excited to honor the legacy Seib has left behind, as well as continue the CPD’s “upward trajectory” with Wang.

“Jay brings an exciting vision and skill set to the Center and has already made significant contributions to CPD's work,” said Kimberly Marteau Emerson, chairwoman of CPD's Advisory Board.