After the resignation of former UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism Dean Neil Henry last summer, the search for the new dean has begun, campus administrators announced Wednesday.

In an email sent to academic titles, deans, directors and department chairs, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost George Breslauer invited nominations and applications for the position, which will begin July 1, 2012. Currently, former dean Tom Goldstein is serving as interim dean.

According to the email, top candidates should have a record of distinction in journalism or journalism education, leadership skills and an understanding of the changing roles in media. Candidates must also be eligible for tenure in the graduate school, which means they should have published, edited, created or produced a superior body of work, Breslauer wrote.

“We are looking for someone who will carry on the traditions we have established here … both a commitment to the values and ethics of traditional journalism and the ability to adjust rapidly to the changes to our business that have come about because of technology,” said Robert Gunnison, director of school affairs at the graduate school and a member of the committee charged to review applications for the position.

The nine-member committee includes faculty from the school, student alumni and faculty from the broader campus and is chaired by Henry Brady, dean of the Goldman School of Public Policy, Gunnison said.

All nominations and letters of intent to apply must be received by Jan, 16, Breslauer said in the email. Those who wish to be considered as candidates must submit statements of interest and curriculum vitaes by Feb. 12.

“It is a national search and we expect to entertain candidates from just about any place,” Gunnison said. “The more candidates there are, the better the search will be.”