Outgoing School of Media and Public Affairs Director Frank Sesno announced he will serve as the school’s director of strategic initiatives in closing remarks to the SMPA community Saturday.

Sesno will conclude his tenure as the school’s leader Tuesday after more than a decade at the helm and step into his new role upon his return from a yearlong sabbatical that begins this summer. He encouraged SMPA students to remain resilient in the face of uncertainty and to continue advocating for values of “inquiry, empathy, inclusion.”

“Through the difficulties and uncertainty we face, I wish you the very best,” Sesno said. “Take care of yourselves. Support your family and friends. Read, write, report. Engage. And be sure to vote and get others to vote. Thank you for making this a special place. You make me #SMPAProud.”

Sesno said he decided to step down to devote more time to personal writing and video projects and Planet Forward, a project dedicated to teaching college journalism students about environmental storytelling, which he started 11 years ago. Media and public affairs professor and former school associate director Silvio Waisbord will take over as director on July 1.