July 13, 2017
Dear Members of our Campus Community,
I am pleased to share with you the news that our colleague and Dean of Extension, Professor Michael T. Brown, has been confirmed today by the UC Board of Regents as the next Provost and Executive Vice President – Academic Affairs in the University of California Office of the President, effective September 5, 2017.
We are proud and delighted that Dr. Brown will serve in this important leadership position for the University of California. Although we will miss him on campus, he will maintain his appointment as Professor of the Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology Department in our Gevirtz Graduate School of Education.
Professor Brown served as Chair of the Systemwide Academic Senate from 2007-2008, and prior to that as Vice Chair from 2006-2007. Among his many contributions was his visionary leadership of the Senate in efforts in developing policies to advance the quality, access, and affordability of UC. Dr. Brown previously served as Vice Chair (2002-2004) and Chair (2004-2006) of the systemwide Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, where he led work leading to eligibility reform for greater excellence and diversity in undergraduate student admissions.
Serving as our Dean for University Extension for the past eight years, Dr. Brown has provided dynamic and innovative leadership, forming an excellent team to advance UC Santa Barbara’s mission as a public university. Under his leadership, Extension has generated surpluses, contributing almost 25% of its revenues to campus academic departments and deans. It also has developed new international collaborations and online and hybrid programs.
For a description of his new responsibilities, please see the news release being sent out by UC Office of the President this afternoon.
Professor Brown received his B.A. degree in psychology (1978) from UC Irvine, and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in counseling psychology from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. He was elected as fellow in the American Psychological Association for work articulating and demonstrating empirical linkages among sociostructural, psychological, cultural and career choice variables, especially as they pertain to women and racial/ethnic minority groups. He has served as a professor in the Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology Department in our Gevirtz Graduate School of Education for 24 years.
We are excited that UCOP is gaining an experienced leader committed to shared governance, institutional excellence, and diversity. On behalf of all of us at UC Santa Barbara, I am honored to thank him for his many contributions to our campus, and to wish him and Kristina all the best.
Sincerely,
Henry T. Yang
Chancellor