Amy Reynolds, associate dean for graduate studies and research for the Manship School of Mass Communication, will replace Manship Chair Bob Mann as director of the Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs starting Jan. 1, according Manship School Dean Jerry Ceppos.
The position was opened to Manship School faculty about a month ago, and out of the three applicants, Reynolds was picked because she possesses a strong academic background as well as professional news experience and the ability to execute projects, Ceppos said.
Reynolds said she is excited about her new role because she always had an interest in media and political public affairs.
The Reilly Center functions as the research component of the Manship School, Mann said.
The center aims to solve problems in the world of media and politics and advance good government initiatives. It brings people together to engage in dialogue and research on the media and political world, all while advancing the Manship School.
Ceppos said being the director of the center is not a full-time position, but one that goes along with other duties. He said he has not decided yet whether the new associate dean will be a promotion from within the school or an outside hire.
Reynolds will continue to teach one class a semester and will function as associate dean as well as director of the Reilly Center until a replacement is found for the dean position.
While she has only worked with graduate students since she arrived at the Manship School from Indiana University in 2010, Reynolds said accepting the new position will give her an opportunity to teach an undergraduate course, something she is looking forward to.
Although Mann is stepping down as director of the center, his work load will not decrease much.
Mann said while working as the director, he had many fulfilling experiences including exposing students to new places and ideas, bringing in high-profile speakers and traveling the country with students to learn about media and politics.
He said he decided to step down as director because he wants to devote more time to a series of books he and a colleague are writing, something that he has found increasingly difficult with his administrative duties for the Reilly Center.
“I love running the Reilly Center, I love the opportunities it gives me to pursue my passion for talking about media and politics and political history, but you just can’t do it all sometimes,”he said.
His decision to leave was also motivated by his desire to teach more.
Mann said he misses the daily contact with students because he only teaches one course. The course he teaches is typically a senior-level course, which doesn’t allow him to watch the students grow and develop relationships with them — one of the most satisfying aspects of his job, he said.
These decisions led to him stepping down from his administrative duties, but he will stay involved with the center, including editing the book series, remaining a senior fellow in the center and working with the annual John Breaux Symposium, he said.
It was Mann’s involvement in these initiatives that led to his recent induction into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame.
He said it’s an honor to be accepted and was surprised he was inducted after his first nomination because it typically takes a few years of nominations before induction.
Although Mann is stepping down from the center, he hopes to see it continue to grow.
Mann said the new director should continue his passion about student involvement in politics and media.
“I love running the Reilly Center, I love the opportunities it gives me to pursue my passion for talking about media and politics and political history, but you just can’t do it all sometimes.”

Gallery • 2 Photos

Lauren Duhon

Bob Mann, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs director and professor, has been elected to the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame. Mann is one of six people who will be inducted in 2014.