Those of us who teach journalism at USC , if we checked our email last night, found the following message from Dean Ernest Wilson, the new-ish head of the Annenberg School of Communication at USC.

As you may already know, I have been appointed to the team advising President-Elect Barack Obama as he assembles his new administration. As this is an outstanding opportunity to help shape future public policy in communication, media and technology, I am delighted to serve our country in this capacity.

I will be wearing several hats during the presidential transition. I will be leading a team reviewing America’s international broadcasting services, including the Voice of America and the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and I will advise the transition team working with the U.S. Department of State on public diplomacy issues.

Effective Friday, December 5, I will take an official leave of absence from my position as dean of the USC Annenberg School until the end of the calendar year in order to serve on the Presidential Transition Team as a private citizen.

Dean Ernie is a good guy, and a smart guy. So…..what do we think? We think, Hey, Cool! This is good.