Vincent E. Price

Vincent E. Price. Vincent E. Price is an American academic administrator and scholar of communication studies who has served as the tenth president of the University of Pennsylvania since 2017. A former provost of Duke University, his career has been distinguished by leadership in higher education administration and significant research on public opinion, political communication, and the influence of mass media. Price's tenure at Penn has focused on advancing interdisciplinary scholarship, expanding access and inclusion, and strengthening the university's engagement with Philadelphia and the global community.

Early life and education

Born in Los Angeles, Price was raised in southern California. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies. He then pursued graduate work at Stanford University, where he received both a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in communication. His doctoral dissertation examined the formation of public opinion, laying the groundwork for his future scholarly investigations into media effects and political discourse.

Academic career

Price began his academic career as an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Michigan. His research and teaching quickly gained recognition, leading to promotions to associate and full professor. In 1998, he moved to the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication, where he held the Steven H. Chaffee Professorship. During his time at Penn, he also served as director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, overseeing research on media, politics, and adolescent health. In 2009, he was appointed provost of Duke University, a role in which he oversaw all of the university's academic and budgetary affairs.

Research and contributions

Price's scholarly work is centered in the fields of political communication and public opinion. He has authored and edited several influential books, including *Public Opinion* and *Communication Concepts 4: Public Opinion*. His research has extensively analyzed the role of mass media in shaping societal debates, the dynamics of deliberative democracy, and the impact of new communication technologies on civic engagement. He has collaborated with colleagues at institutions like the University of Chicago and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and his work has been published in leading journals such as the *Journal of Communication* and *Public Opinion Quarterly*.

Leadership and administrative roles

As provost of Duke University, Price was the chief academic officer, responsible for the university's schools, libraries, and research centers. He played a key role in initiatives to enhance interdisciplinary programs and global partnerships. Upon becoming president of the University of Pennsylvania in 2017, he launched the *Penn Compact 2022*, a strategic framework emphasizing inclusion, innovation, and impact. His administration has overseen the expansion of financial aid through initiatives like the Penn First Plus program, significant investments in life sciences research in University City, and the development of the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, D.C..

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, Price has been elected to prestigious scholarly societies, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the International Communication Association, which awarded him its Fellow status. He has received honorary degrees from institutions such as the University of Glasgow and Tsinghua University. For his leadership in higher education, he has been honored by organizations including the Anti-Defamation League and the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:University of Pennsylvania faculty Category:University of Pennsylvania presidents Category:Duke University provosts Category:American communication scholars Category:American academic administrators Category:University of California, Santa Barbara alumni Category:Stanford University alumni Category:People from Los Angeles