David Ryfe, associate professor of journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno Reynolds School of Journalism and Center for Advanced Media Studies, was elected to the post of academic chair for the school, effective July 1.

Ryfe, who is also the school's senior research scholar, began teaching at the Reynolds School in 2006. As a researcher, he studies journalism. His most recent book, Can Journalism Survive: An Inside Look at American Newsrooms, an ethnographic study based on five years of fieldwork in newsrooms, will be released in September. Together with Donica Mensing, associate professor of journalism, he has also studied the Bay Area news system and presented their findings at the International Symposium on Online Journalism, which was held in Austin, Texas in April.

"The academic chair plays an essential role in the leadership of the Reynolds School, working closely with students, faculty and staff," says Dean Al Stavitsky. "I'm grateful to David for stepping up to this important position, and I'm deeply appreciative of Rosemary McCarthy's outstanding service as chair during the past six years."

Most recently, Ryfe served as Faculty Senate chair for the university. He teaches graduate courses-he helped to create the graduate program in interactive journalism-as well as basic undergraduate courses such as Journalism 101, Journalism 120 and a First Amendment course. He also teaches courses on media history and the media and politics.

His duties as academic chair include developing and improving undergraduate programs and services for the school, as well as being involved in activities related to advising and student affairs, course scheduling, assessment and accreditation.

Ryfe earned a bachelor's in political science and literature/creative writing, a masters in political science, a master's in communication, and a doctorate in communication, all from the University of California, San Diego. He previously held a professorship at Middle Tennessee State University, and teaching positions at the University of California, Berkeley; and the University of California, San Diego.