Â鶹´«Ã½

Mitchel Benson has been named the assistant vice chancellor for University Communications.

Benson has led Â鶹´«Ã½ media relations as News Service director for nearly four years and has a background in journalism as both a California and national reporter for The Wall Street Journal and as a Capitol reporter for the San Jose Mercury News.

Benson, who has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, served as communications director for former state Treasurer Phil Angelides prior to joining Â鶹´«Ã½.

Benson replaces Lisa Lapin, who last fall took a job overseeing Stanford University’s communications.