Meet Chancellor Assanis

Dennis Assanis is the sixth Chancellor of the University of California, Santa Barbara. He previously served as the President of the University of Delaware from 2016 to 2025. As Chancellor of UC Santa Barbara, Dr. Assanis is responsible for shaping the university’s long-term strategy and guiding the university in its teaching, research and service mission.

Read the full biography

 

 

A professional headshot of Dennis Assanis, featuring a smiling man with short grey hair, wearing a navy blue suit jacket, a white dress shirt, and a patterned blue and gold tie against a soft-focus outdoor background.

Schedule of Events

Join us May 27th as we celebrate the inauguration of Chancellor Dennis Assanis, the sixth chancellor of the University of California, Santa Barbara.

 

A dark navy blue photo of campus with Storke tower with text overlaid, "Inauguration of Dennis Assanis as the sixth chancellor of the University of California, Santa Barbara."

Ceremony Livestream
10 a.m.

Exterior image of Corwin Pavilion on UC Santa Barbara campus

Academic Symposium
3-4:30 p.m.

Corwin Pavilion,
UC Santa Barbara Campus

Calidore String Quartet group photo posing with instruments - Jeffrey Myers on violin, Ryan Meehan on violin, Jeremy Berry on viola, and Estelle Choi on cello.

Calidore String Quartet Concert
7 p.m.

Lobero Theatre,
Santa Barbara

Professor Steven DenBaars with Chancellor Dennis Assanis outside on UCSB campus.

Chancellor Dennis Assanis and his wife Eleni smile while talking to a student wearing a UCSB t shirt.

Chancellor and Mrs. Assanis with UCSB and UC colleagues.

Chancellor Assanis with UCSB students and two dogs

Chancellor Dennis Assanis takes a selfie on stage in the thunderdome with a crowd of students behind him.

Chancellor Dennis Assanis poses with a group of new faculty members.

Chancellor Dennis Assanis and his wife Eleni pose with Willie Brown, Associate Vice Chancellor for Housing, Dining, and Auxiliary Enterprises.

Chancellor Dennis Assanis and his wife Eleni pose with California Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón and Associate Professor Leah Stokes

Chancellor Dennis Assanis and his wife Eleni wearing blue shirts with gold UCSB scarves pose with Athletics Director Kelly Barsky at a soccer game.

Chancellor Assanis with UCSB cheerleaders.

Chancellor Assanis with UCSB faculty.