Leadership in Dean of Students Office

To: UC Santa Cruz Community

From: Campus Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor Alison Galloway

I am writing to share news of changes in the Campus Life division, and the Dean of Students Office.  On an interim basis, we are adopting a model of shared leadership of the division.  Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Alma Sifuentes has been on leave from the campus, with Assistant Dean of Students Lucy Rojas overseeing the unit’s day-to-day operations.

Mary Knudtson, executive director of Student Health Services, will assume the role of interim associate vice chancellor.  In addition to Student Health Services, she will provide leadership oversight to the Office of Physical Education, Recreation, and Sports (OPERS) and represent Campus Life and the Dean of Students office as a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet and the Administrative Leadership Team.  Mary will be the conduit between Campus Life and the Dean of Student organizations and the campus and systemwide leadership. 

Lucy has agreed to serve as interim Dean of Students. She will be responsible for managing the services provided by the Dean of Students Office, which includes Slug Support, and Student Conduct, and will also fulfill the role of Dean of Students for the campus.  Located at 245 Hahn, the Dean of Students office operates under an “open door” policy, providing quality support services to students.

I am grateful to both Lucy and Mary for their leadership during this period.