Iowa State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences announced the appointment of Tracy Lucht as the 18th director of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.
Lucht, a nationally recognized media scholar and professor in the School, has been serving as interim director since July 1, 2025. She was appointed to a five-year term as director following a national search.
“I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Tracy Lucht has accepted our offer to serve as the next director of the Greenlee School,” said Benjamin Withers, dean of the College of LAS. “An alumna of the School who has returned to advance steadily in her career as a respected teacher, first-rate scholar and excellent citizen of the School, college and institution, she promises to bring a well-honed understanding of the strengths of the School and its potential for the future.”
Lucht holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Iowa State and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. Lucht previously worked as a copy editor at USA Today, the Washington Post and the Des Moines Register. A winner of the National Award for Excellence in Teaching from the American Journalism Historians Association and a former president of the organization, Lucht has taught courses in writing and reporting for the media, news and feature editing, journalism history and qualitative research methods. She has published several books and many articles on the history and experiences of women in the U.S. media.
A member of the Greenlee faculty for nearly 14 years, Lucht has held leadership roles in the School’s undergraduate and graduate programs. Her priorities as director include expanding the high-impact experiences available to students, building relationships with industry and civic partners and pursuing external funding opportunities.
“The Greenlee School is well-positioned for a new era of growth, innovation and excellence,” Lucht said. “With the launch of our new majors and multimedia studios, we are excited to invite the next generation of journalists and creators to join us in shaping the future of communication.”
The School launched a major and minor in sports media and communication in fall 2025. Digital storytelling, an interdisciplinary program created with the Department of Music and Theatre, will begin in fall 2026. The School continues to offer undergraduate degrees in advertising, journalism and public relations and has a master’s program known for its flexible tracks in theory and research and professional and strategic communication.
“I am continually impressed by the accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students and alumni – not to mention the kindness and support they show to one another. I am humbled and honored to lead such a special and prestigious group,” Lucht said.
Journalism education began at Iowa State College in 1905, making the Greenlee School one of the earliest established programs in the country. It has been continuously accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC) since the body was established in 1948.
“The search committee viewed Dr. Tracy Lucht as an excellent choice to be the next director of the Greenlee School. Participants in the search process recognize her deep institutional knowledge and long-standing commitment to the School. She is viewed as an authentic, collaborative and trusted leader with strong communication skills and an ability to foster a positive culture. These qualities will serve her well in her role leading the School,” said Leana Bouffard, professor and chair in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice and chair of the search committee.