To: UCSC Community
From: Campus Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor Alison Galloway
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Konopelski, professor of chemistry, as interim dean of the Jack Baskin School of Engineering. The appointment is effective July 1 and will continue through June 30, 2015, or until we fill the position on a permanent basis. Professor Konopelski succeeds Art Ramirez, who earlier this quarter announced his intention to step down as dean in order to focus on his research in materials science.
A physicist, Art joined the campus in 2009 and has led Baskin Engineering during a period of rapid growth. He has secured our place as a college of engineering for the 21st century, helping to build our top-ranked undergraduate and graduate programs in computer gaming, supporting our pioneering work in big data and storage systems research, and reaching out to Silicon Valley to build research partnerships with leading companies and expand student internship opportunities. During Art’s tenure as dean, the school established a new undergraduate degree in robotics engineering, a new master’s degree in games and playable media, and a new Department of Technology Management. Chancellor Blumenthal and I appreciate his leadership and wish him well as he joins the faculty in the Department of Electrical Engineering.
The campus is preparing to launch a national search for a permanent dean, chaired by Vice Chancellor for Research Scott Brandt. I’m grateful that Joe has agreed to serve on an interim basis. Joe joined the UCSC faculty in 1984 and has served the campus in myriad capacities, most recently as chair of the Academic Senate. Please join me in welcoming Joe to his new role.