July 2, 2018
 

Dear Members of our Campus Community,

After two years of outstanding service as Interim Dean of our College of Creative Studies, Professor Kathy Foltz has decided to return to teaching and research, effective July 1, 2018.

I am deeply grateful for Professor Foltz’s commitment to our students and our university. She has provided exemplary leadership for CCS, serving with passion and dedication in this role. She oversaw the 50th anniversary celebration of CCS, and has worked tirelessly with all of our colleagues to ensure that CCS continues to innovate and thrive.

Upon the strong recommendation of the Faculty Executive Committee of CCS, I am pleased to announce that Professor Bruce Tiffney, former Dean of CCS, has graciously agreed to return as Interim Dean for one year as the search for our next Dean continues in the fall.

Professor Tiffney previously served as CCS Dean from 2005 to 2016, and has contributed to our campus community in countless ways since first joining our Geological Sciences faculty in 1986. He has participated in numerous campus, Academic Senate, and systemwide committees, including chairing the CCS Executive Committee for six years and co-chairing the Chancellor’s Campus Sustainability Committee for the past ten years.

Professor Tiffney is an internationally acknowledged expert on the evolution of terrestrial plants. He has received numerous honors for his achievements in research and teaching, including election as Fellow of the Geological Society of America, and a UCSB Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award.

I appreciate the consultation provided by our Chair of the Academic Senate, Executive Vice Chancellor, and faculty colleagues.

I also wish to thank our search advisory committee, chaired by Professor Omer Blaes, for their ongoing dedicated efforts on behalf of our campus.

Please join me in thanking Professor Foltz for her exceptional service. Please also join me in thanking Professor Tiffney for his sustained dedication to CCS and his willingness to provide leadership once again at the time of our need.

Sincerely,

Henry T. Yang
Chancellor