May 20, 2011

TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY
 
Dear Colleagues:
 
I am pleased to announce that Executive Dean David Marshall has agreed to chair the search committee for our next Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs, to succeed Paul Desruisseaux, who left the university to pursue other interests after 11 years of distinguished service.
 
I would like to thank Dean Marshall for his willingness to chair this committee. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Paul for his leadership of our Office of Public Affairs, and for his tremendous accomplishments and dedication to our university.
 
Paul worked closely and collaboratively with our administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni, supporters, community members, and friends in order to tell the UC Santa Barbara story in an exciting and effective way. He represented our campus to the public, helping us to be open and responsive to the media and others. Whether dealing with celebrations or tragedy, good news or bad news, he managed campus communications with sensitivity and clarity. Having worked at The Chronicle of Higher Education for 20 years before joining UCSB, Paul brought a keen journalistic perspective and professionalism to the position. His editorial expertise, combined with his deep understanding of our university, was evident in the many campus publications, press releases, websites, and other materials produced by him and his office.
 
Initiatives launched under his leadership include the recently redesigned UCSB home page and UC Santa Barbara Today, a new periodical developed to highlight campus activities and to strengthen alumni, parent, and community engagement with our campus. Through these and countless other efforts, Paul helped to increase the visibility of our campus; promote the accomplishments and contributions of our faculty, students, staff, and alumni; and enhance UC Santa Barbara's image and stature both nationally and internationally. 
 
We are grateful for Paul's exceptional contributions to our campus over the past 11 years. We wish him and his wife, Maggie, the very best in all that lies ahead.
 
Sincerely,
 
Henry T. Yang
Chancellor