Graduate students in the Integrated Marketing Communication program will have a new division head starting Fall 2017.

Dr. Patrick Merle, assistant professor in the School of Communication has been named division head of the program, effective Fall 2017. Merle succeeds Dr. Jay Rayburn, who served as division head since the program’s inception in 2002.

“It has been a real pleasure to serve.  I’ve gotten to meet and work with hundreds of outstanding students.  Our successes, however, would not have happened if it weren’t for dedicated faculty and a great support staff,” shared Rayburn.

“Dr. Rayburn and I are pleased to announce that Dr. Patrick Merle has agreed to be the next IMC division head,” wrote Dr. Gary Heald, director of the School of Communication, in an email to faculty and staff today.

Merle, a French native, has an extensive background in journalism and public relations with an emphasis in political communication. He has worked as editorial assistant to the Paris Bureau Chief at the New York Times, Deputy News Editor at Eurosport, and Editorial Assistant to the European Bureau Chief at the Christian Science Monitor. He is well loved by his students, recently honored with the Transformation Through Teaching award.

“I am honored to be nominated to direct such a fundamental area in our communication programs and genuinely grateful for the opportunity. I thank Dr. Rayburn and Dr. Heald for their generous support and trust since I joined the faculty in August 2013,” said Merle.

Moving forward, Merle says he looks forward to talking with alumni of the program who are working in the industry and academia to best understand the program. Current undergraduate and graduate students will be included as Merle moves forward as division head of the program.

Find more information on the Integrated Marketing Communication program here, more on the School of Communication here.