Jiang, Horn named to Newhouse School leadership team

Dean Mark J. Lodato today announced the appointment of two new associate deans for the Newhouse School: Hua Jiang as associate dean for academic affairs and Brad Horn as associate dean for strategic initiatives.

Hua Jiang

Jiang is an accomplished scholar who has earned research recognitions from national and international flagship communication associations. She has published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, with her work appearing in leading refereed journals, and she serves on the editorial board of the top three public relations journals: Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review and Public Relations Journal (PRSA journal). A member of the Newhouse faculty since 2013, she graciously and capably stepped in to serve as interim chair of the public relations department for a year. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Nanjing University and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park.

“During the past 13 years of engagement in institutions of higher education, I have worked with countless undergraduate students in the classroom and more than 60 master’s and doctoral students on their theses and dissertations,” Jiang says. “My top priority has always been to be a dedicated and inspiring educator committed to student success. To that end, I am extremely excited by this leadership opportunity that empowers me to demonstrate my undeterred passion, enthusiasm, and determination to academic excellence and student success.”

Jiang replaces Amy Falkner, who was recently named dean of Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications.

Brad Horn

Horn brings more than 20 years of public relations management and organizational communications leadership to the newly-created position of associate dean for strategic initiatives. An active contributor to the industry, he is focused on the roles of leadership, trust, ethics and digital engagement. His past experiences have focused on national and international media relations; public relations strategy creation; digital and social media engagement; educational program development; crisis management; and board and executive communication. He is a graduate of the Newhouse School’s communications management master’s program, and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism (advertising/public relations) from Texas Christian University.

“Partnerships and people are the cornerstones of the bridge between academic excellence and creative industry engagement,” Horn says. “I’m honored to join Dean Lodato’s inspiring vision in this new challenge to create and support opportunities for all. I’m looking forward to collaborating with our faculty, students, staff, alumni and industry leaders to develop and sustain partnerships, programs and projects that elevate the reach and reputation of the Newhouse School.”

Says Lodato: “Hua and Brad have already contributed so much to the Newhouse School as faculty members. I am excited to see what they bring to the leadership team in support of our students, faculty, staff and alumni.”