Mitchel Benson has been named the assistant vice chancellor for University Communications.

Benson has led UC Davis media relations as News Service director for nearly four years and has a background in journalism as both a California and national reporter for The Wall Street Journal and as a Capitol reporter for the San Jose Mercury News.

Benson, who has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, served as communications director for former state Treasurer Phil Angelides prior to joining UC Davis.

Benson replaces Lisa Lapin, who last fall took a job overseeing Stanford University’s communications.