Cary Granat Will Lead Moody College as Dean
Media executive Cary Granat will step into the dean role at the University of Texas at Austin this September.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in People
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The University of Texas at Austin has appointed Cary Granat, a co-founder of Walden Media and Egeria Media, to serve as dean of the Moody College of Communication. Granat is scheduled to officially assume the position on Sept. 28, 2026.
Why it matters
The appointment places an operator with 30 years of media industry experience at the helm of a top-ranked academic institution. For local employers and communication firms, this leadership transition signals a shift in how the university may align its curriculum with current industry trends.
The Moody College of Communication holds the 1st place ranking among public universities in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject. The incoming dean brings 30 years of professional experience in media industries, including 15 years on a Tufts University steering council.
The players
Cary Granat
A seasoned media executive who previously led Walden Media and held executive roles at Miramax-Dimension Entertainment.
Anita Vangelisti
The current interim dean of the Moody College of Communication who will become senior associate dean for academic affairs.
Moody College of Communication
A top-ranked academic institution within the University of Texas at Austin focusing on communication and media studies.
The details
Granat will transition from his current role as co-founder and co-CEO of Egeria Media to oversee the college. The university finalized the selection following a process led by a consultative committee chaired by the dean of the College of Fine Arts. Current interim dean Anita Vangelisti, who has served in the capacity since August 2024, will move to the position of senior associate dean for academic affairs.
Timeline
August 2024: Anita Vangelisti began her service as interim dean.
September 22, 2026: The university announced the appointment of Cary Granat.
September 28, 2026: Cary Granat will officially begin the dean role.
Market Landscape
The appointment follows the college's achievement of a first-place ranking in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, setting a benchmark for the incoming dean's performance. The move reflects a broader trend of institutions selecting leaders with direct industry experience to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial media operations.
Local business operators should monitor the college's strategic shifts in curriculum or internship programs under new leadership. These changes will likely influence the pipeline of talent available to Austin-based media and communication firms over the next few years.
The takeaway
The appointment of a career media executive as dean indicates a strategic pivot toward industry-aligned education. Stakeholders should watch for the college's new partnerships with private media entities starting in the 2026 academic year.
Further reading
For more updates on professional movements in the city, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TheWrap.
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