Joann Lee named journalism dean at Nevada

Joann Lee, director of the journalism program at Queens College, City University of New York, has been named dean of the Reynolds School of Journalism, University of Nevada. Lee succeeds William Slater, who left the university on April 1 to become dean of the College of Communication at Texas Christian University.

Joann Lee

Lee has an extensive background in television news. She was the first Asian American hired on-air in Sacramento (KXTV), Chicago (WLS), Philadelphia (WCAU) and CNN (New York bureau). In addition, she holds a Ph.D. in culture and communication from New York University. Lee's appointment begins Aug. 1. Travis Linn, a former dean of the Reynolds School and professor, will serve as interim dean until Lee's arrival.

Lee, born in Hong Kong, grew up in New York City on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. She attended Columbia University and the City College of New York. She is the author of Asian Americans (New Press, 1992); Asian American Actors (McFarland, 2000); and a novel, Virtual Escape. Lee is the fourth dean in Reynolds School history. Previous deans were Linn, James K. Gentry and Slater.