Rafael Lorente

Rafael Lorente became dean of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism on July 1, 2023. Previously, he was the associate dean for academic affairs, director of the master’s program, a senior lecturer, and director of the Capital News Service Washington, D.C., and Annapolis bureaus.

Before joining academia, Rafael, a 1998 Merrill master’s alum, was a journalist at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald, mainly focused on legislative and political matters and higher education. As a reporter in Washington for the Sun Sentinel, he covered the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, the attacks of Sept. 11, and U.S.-Cuba relations. 

Complete Bio - Philip Merrill School of Journalism

Research Interests: 

• Local, state and national news coverage
• Experiential journalism education
• Journalism accreditation