We write to share news with you that the University of the Arts has announced David Yager as its next president and CEO. David, who has served our campus as dean of the Division of Arts since 2009, will assume this new post in Philadelphia on January 15.
For more than six years, David has been an outstanding dean for UC Santa Cruz while also furthering his research as a distinguished professor of art.
During his tenure, he created two Ph.D programs, a master's and MFA program, as well as a number of new majors including an undergraduate major in gaming and playable media.
Despite budgetary challenges, David has focused on building on the division's excellence and core strengths and generating revenue to support its mission. Four new professors are starting in the division this year. With the support of donors, he recently gave summer research funding to doctoral students who are close to completing their degrees, as well as money from the Arts Dean's Fund for Excellence to support new faculty research projects.
David is the founder and director of UC Santa Cruz's Innovation and Design Lab, which creates new knowledge in the health and wellness industries, through a holistic approach to innovation and design research. Additionally, he has launched a new research project on the culture of the country club during the Presidential Eisenhower era.
We are in the process of consulting with members of the arts division, Academic Senate leadership, and others about the appointment of an interim dean to succeed David. We will make a formal announcement as soon as that process is completed.
In the meantime, please join us in wishing David the very best in his new position and in thanking him for his important service to our campus.
