For immediate release
September 17, 2009
Contact: Rachel M Pugh
202-687-4328
rmp47@georgetown.edu
CBS News Journalist to Head Georgetown's Journalism Master's Program

Washington, D.C. -- Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies Dean Robert Manuel today announced the appointment of veteran Washington journalist Denise Li as associate dean for the Master’s of Professional Studies Journalism Program

“Denise Li brings to Georgetown the right balance of experience as an accomplished reporter and producer with demonstrated excellence in the field of journalism,” Manuel said. “She will help prepare our students to become leaders in today’s challenging print, broadcast and digital news environments.”

Li returns to her alma mater after spending more than 20 years on CBS News’ award-winning broadcast Face The Nation -- one of the longest-running news programs on television. She has served as the program’s associate producer, producer and senior producer.

During her tenure at Face The Nation, Li managed the editorial and visual content of the broadcast, coordinated the program’s live production needs, increased bookings of exclusive newsmakers and helped Face The Nation score repeated double-digit ratings gains. She also has served as a CBS News special events producer, a position that allowed her to cover elections, inaugurations and other major news events.

"Our loss is Georgetown's gain,” said CBS’s Bob Schieffer. “Denise is one of the smartest people in network television. We're really going to miss her. But I know she'll bring the kind of practical hands-on experience that is going to be a real benefit to Georgetown. We send her on her way with our congratulations and thanks for more than 20 years of great work at CBS News."

Prior to her position with Face The Nation, Li worked as a broadcast associate producing news segments and features for CBS News’ award-winning Nightwatch program with Charlie Rose. 

In addition to her experience in broadcast news, Li spent many years writing researching and reporting for TIME magazine, where she covered Asia, Europe, the former Soviet Union and Africa.

Li also helped launch a successful series for TIME-LIFE Books as the lead reporter for their Library of Nations Series on China and Japan. 

“I’ve had the privilege of working with Bob Schieffer and some of the best journalists and technical professionals in the business – covering some of the most influential newsmakers and important events of our time,” Li said.  “I’m excited now to be bringing that experience to Georgetown and using it to help the next generation of journalists reach their potential.”

Over the years, Li has been active in Washington D.C.'s Chinese-American community, and she has developed and taught Mandarin and Cantonese language programs for Chinese American youth in the D.C. metropolitan area.

A 1979 graduate of Barnard College, Li earned her master’s degree in liberal studies from Georgetown University in 1986.

About Georgetown University

Georgetown University is the oldest and largest Catholic and Jesuit university in America, founded in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll. Georgetown today is a major student-centered, international, research university offering respected undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in Washington, DC, Doha, Qatar and around the world. For more information about Georgetown University, visit www.georgetown.edu.