BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (IUSTV News) – David Tolchinsky will serve as the next dean of The Media School at Indiana University, the school announced Thursday.

The announcement comes nearly two years after James Shanahan, the school’s founding dean, stepped down to return to the faculty. Walter Gantz has served as interim dean since July 2021.

Tolchinsky comes from Northwestern University, where he was director of the Pritzker Pucker Studio Lab, and a professor of radio, TV, and film.

IU President Pamela Whitten described Tolchinsky as “an innovative leader and community builder.”

Tolchinsky brings years of industry experience, and has won over eleven awards internationlly.

He earned an MFA in film/video production from the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television and a BA in composition/video/performance art from Yale University.

Tolchinsky will assume the role of dean on September 11.