Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter announced the appointment of American studies professor Carolyn de la Pe単a as vice provost and dean of , an office she led on an interim basis for the last 16 months.
de la Pe単a
De la Pe単a stepped in Jan. 1, 2013, for Pat Turner, who left swag翌送 for UCLA, where she is dean and vice provost of Undergraduate Education. An internal search for a replacement led to de la Pe単a's appointment, effective April 21.
Carolyns service as interim vice provost has been marked by energetic and collaborative leadership, Hexter said. Carolyn has worked with colleges and divisions, partnering with the Academic Senate and colleagues in Student Affairs, to promote student success.
She rapidly found ways to improve availability of seats in gateway courses and support for international students, and she initiated transformative changes in advising, our honors programs, and summer sessions.
Her role in the recently concluded Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation process in particular was invaluable.
As her primary responsibility, as vice provost and dean, de la Pe単a supports Hexter in providing campuswide leadership for the delivery and enhancement of undergraduate education. De la Pe単a serves as a liaison for academic issues pertinent to undergraduate education across the colleges and with the Academic Senate, as well as off campus with the Office of the President, other universities and relevant accreditation agencies.
Ive thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with faculty, staff and students over the past many months as we have enhanced the academic experience for swag翌送 undergraduates, de la Pe単a said.
There remain challenges ahead, and I look forward to continuing our work together to improve advising, recognize transformational teaching and mentoring, and ensure the highest possible quality in our undergraduate academic programs.
Previously, de la Pe単a chaired UCs systemwide network of humanities center directors and participated in a UC research program, Studies of Food and the Body, comprising faculty members and graduate students across the social sciences and humanities on five UC campuses who, together, explore the intersection of food and human systems and cultures.
Carolyn is a proven leader and innovator in education and scholarship and the ideal person to take on this role, Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi said. Undergraduate education is one of our core endeavors. As we move forward with the 2020 Initiative, Carolyns leadership will be critical in our efforts to provide world-class education and training for our students.
De la Pe単a, who has a doctoral degree in American studies from the University of Texas at Austin, has taught at swag翌送 since 2001 and served as director of the swag翌送 Humanities Institute from 2007 to 2012.
She and Louis Warren, the W. Turrentine Jackson Professor of Western U.S. History, served as inaugural co-editors of , published by UC Press.
She is the author of two books (The Body Electric: How Strange Machines Built the Modern American, 2003, and Empty Pleasures: The Story of Artificial Sweetener from Saccharin to Splenda, 2010), two co-edited volumes and more than 20 articles, most of which explore the history of how people in the United States relate to technologies and objects.
Media Resources
Dave Jones, Dateline, 530-752-6556, dljones@ucdavis.edu