Campus News
John Bollard to serve as interim VC for Student Affairs and Success
I am confident John will support the outstanding work of our Student Affairs and Success staff members while maintaining momentum on the division’s strategic priorities aimed at helping students thrive.
Dear Campus Community,
I am pleased to announce that John Bollard has agreed to serve as interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success, effective Sept. 12. He will lead the division until a permanent vice chancellor is selected. We expect to launch a national search during the coming academic year.
John joined UC Santa Cruz in early 2023 as associate vice chancellor for student health and wellness and chief well-being officer. He oversees the services that support students’ physical and mental health, including medical care, counseling, advocacy, health education, and outreach. As chief well-being officer, he also advises campus leaders on public health issues and other matters affecting student health and safety.
Before coming to UC Santa Cruz, John spent more than two decades at UCLA, primarily in senior administrative leadership roles at the Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center.
John is especially well positioned to take on this role. He knows our campus, our students, and the work of the division, and he previously served as interim leader of Student Affairs and Success for six months during the 2024-25 academic year. That experience, combined with his deep background in student health and university administration, will allow him to deliver strong and steady leadership.
John will assume the role following the departure of Akirah Bradley-Armstrong, who is leaving UC Santa Cruz next month to become Vice Chancellor for Student Life at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During her tenure, Akirah transformed the Division of Student Affairs and Success into a more unified and collaborative organization with a sharp focus on empowering students and advancing their success. I am deeply grateful for her leadership and the lasting contributions she has made to our campus.
I am confident John will support the outstanding work of our Student Affairs and Success staff members while maintaining momentum on the division’s strategic priorities aimed at helping students thrive. He brings the judgment, experience, and collaborative approach needed to keep the division moving forward during this transition. I appreciate his willingness to serve our campus by taking on this important leadership role.
Sincerely,
Cindy
Cynthia Larive
Chancellor