Filed at 03:00 PM

Dianne Lynch, dean of the Roy H. Park School of Communications, will remain at Ithaca College, according to Kathleen Rountree, provost and vice president for academic affairs. Rountree announced the news on Lynch’s behalf at a meeting with Park faculty earlier today.

Lynch informed officials at the University of California at Berkeley of her decision to decline the position of dean at Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.

Lynch first turned down the position in March. UC Berkeley Provost Greg Breslauer forwarded Lynch's name to the Berkeley Board of Regents in May and she was approved as dean in July. Lynch planned to leave Ithaca College in January.

Rountree said Lynch had discussed the possibility with her a few weeks ago, but made her official decision today. Rountree said she is very excited that Lynch will stay with the college.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled,” Rountree said. “I think [Dean Lynch] has been a fabulous dean so far and will continue to do great work in the future.”

Rountree said Lynch will be informing students of her decision later today either via email or through her blog.