08/24/2026
Welcome to the start of a new academic year!
What makes Annenberg such a remarkable place is the people who make up this community. Every day, our students, faculty, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, staff, alumni, and partners ask important questions about the role communication plays in shaping our world. How are stories told, and whose voices are heard? What influences our politics, cultures, and identities? How do information and ideas move through societies? And how can communication contribute to a more informed, equitable, and humane future?
These questions have long defined Annenberg's mission, and they continue to guide our work today through our strategic vision, Connected Futures. As that vision takes shape, it is fostering new partnerships in research and teaching, supporting innovation across the School, and deepening our engagement beyond the University.
This year also marks an exciting milestone as we welcome the inaugural cohort of students in our new Master of Communication and Media Industries program. Drawn from a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds, these students bring expertise and experiences that span industries, disciplines, and communities. Their perspectives will enrich classroom conversations and strengthen the collaborative spirit that defines Annenberg.
This year also offers moments to reflect on the individuals whose contributions have left a lasting mark on Annenberg. We will honor the life and legacy of Monroe Price, whose pioneering scholarship helped shape the field of communication. We will also celebrate Barbie Zelizer's extraordinary career and her enduring impact as a scholar, mentor, field-builder, and champion of this community. Their contributions remind us that institutions are ultimately defined not only by the ideas that shape them, but by the people who nurture these ideas and the relationships they inspire.
Welcome back and welcome to Annenberg.
