Jolie Kerns appointed director for Physical & Environmental Planning Services

To: UC Santa Cruz Community

From: Traci Ferdolage, Associate Vice Chancellor- PPDO

I am very pleased to announce Jolie Kerns as the permanent Director of Physical & Environmental Planning Services. Jolie will transition into her permanent appointment on October 1, 2019.

Jolie is an experienced licensed architect, LEED certified professional and skilled leader in large-scale institutional projects and campus planning. Her collective professional design and owner representative experience of over 20 years makes her uniquely qualified to steward UC Santa Cruz’s campus legacy.

I am confident her collaborative and open style will contribute deeply to the long-term evolution of the campus’ built environment while ensuring balance with a respect for the natural landscape. Jolie’s experience leading complex, challenging, and often controversial projects with a wide range of engaged stakeholders will serve the campus well. Jolie has worked at UCSC since 2014, first as a senior architect and for the past two years as the interim director of campus planning.

Prior to joining UCSC, Jolie was the owner/principal of her own firm and also worked as an associate for Toshiko Mori Architect and other firms in both New York and San Francisco. Jolie received her B.A. in Architecture from UC Berkeley and her M.A. in Architecture from Columbia University.

I would like to thank the members of the search committee including committee chair Jean Marie Scott and members Nicole Vamosi, Steve Houser, Teresa Buika, Alex Jones, Chrissy Thomure, and Courtney Trask. Their time and effort contributed to this successful outcome. My thanks are also extended to Toni Porath, Anne Gavin, and the talent acquisition staff in Staff Human Resources who handled all of the logistical and recruitment activities for the search.
Please join me in congratulating Jolie on her appointment.