A search committee has been formed to find the next dean of the School of Communication, a Northwestern news release announced Tuesday.

After serving 20 years in the position, Dean Barbara O’Keefe will step down in 2020, an August news release announced.

O’Keefe has edited two books and authored over 60 technical publications. Currently, she is part of a multi-institutional team that is funded by the National Science Foundation. The group is working to organize the available knowledge about interactive children’s media, collaborating with industry partners to improve access to high-quality media for children.

The committee, chaired by Communication Prof. Molly Losh, will include representatives from the student body, staff and faculty, the release said.

A search firm will also be engaged to support the search, the release said.

The committee will begin working immediately, Provost Jonathan Holloway said in the release. The Northwestern community will be engaged for input about the next dean’s desired attributes and experience, with opportunities for students, staff, faculty and alumni to give feedback.

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