Martin M. Chemers has accepted the position of interim campus provost and executive vice chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz. Tapped by Chancellor M.R.C. Greenwood to succeed John B. Simpson, he will step down as dean of the Division of Social Sciences to assume his new post effective December 1, 2003. The appointment of Dr. Chemers is pending approval by University President Robert C. Dynes and the UC Board of Regents.
"I am delighted that Dr. Chemers has accepted my invitation to assume this pivotal position," Greenwood said. "He brings proven leadership strengths and a keen understanding of the campus's aspirations and priorities. I am confident his knowledge of the campus and dedication to our continued success will result in significant accomplishments during his tenure."
As the campus provost and executive vice chancellor, Dr. Chemers will serve as the chief academic officer and chief operating officer, and will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing academic programs and academic personnel programs, campus operations, and budgetary matters. The campus provost and executive vice chancellor acts for the chancellor in her absence.
"This is a tremendous opportunity and an exciting challenge," Chemers stated. "Even before I arrived at UC Santa Cruz in 1995, I knew this to be a very special place. Now, I am eager to work with my colleagues to build on the present academic distinctions of UC Santa Cruz toward even greater achievement."
Dr. Chemers has earned an international reputation for his research and teaching in organizational psychology. He is widely regarded among social psychologists as one of the foremost scholars on cross-cultural and social psychological aspects of leadership. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, a Fellow of the American Psychological Society, and President-Elect of the Society of Experimental Psychology.
Dr. Chemers has extensive academic administrative experience. Prior to coming to Santa Cruz, Dr. Chemers was Henry R. Kravis Professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology and director of the Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College. Previous to his appointment at Claremont, he was professor and chairman of the Department of Psychology at the University of Utah, from 1970 to 1987.
Dr. Chemers received his B. S. (Honors) in 1964, his M.S. in 1966, and his Ph.D. in 1968, all from the University of Illinois. He has published numerous books and articles in internationally noted journals on subjects that include leadership effectiveness and organizational development. His latest book is An Integrative Theory of Leadership, published in 1997 by Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Commenting on the appointment of his interim successor, John B. Simpson noted, "Dr. Chemers brings to the office of campus provost and EVC an exceptional scholarly record and extensive administrative experience. He is an inspired choice, and I am very pleased to congratulate him and wish him every success." Simpson has accepted the presidency of the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York.
