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Provost's Communications Summer 2019
Dr. Steve Perez's messages to students, faculty, and staff.
Academic Affairs Administration Personnel Update, July 17, 2019
July 17, 2019
In concurrence with President Nelsen, and after consultation with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, I am pleased to announce that Dr. William DeGraffenreid has agreed to serve as Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. Dr. DeGraffenreid joined the faculty of Physics and Astronomy at Sacramento State in 2002. He holds a B.S. in Physics from Cal Poly Pomona and a Ph. D. in Chemical Physics from the University of Maryland, College Park. He has numerous publications and is the recipient of several external grants.
Dr. DeGraffenreid has served as the President of Sigma Pi Sigma, the Physics Honor Society; was the Chair of the 2016 Quadrennial Physics Congress, the largest meeting of physics undergraduates in the country; and is the Chair of the American Institute of Physics’ Education Research Group. On campus he has received the University’s Outstanding Teaching, University Service, and Community Service Awards. In addition, he helped plan the planetarium and observatory in the Ernest E. Tschannen Science Complex; served as co-investigator for the NSF-funded CSU-COMPARE program; developed faculty research opportunities (including four Physics faculty members with NSF research support); and spearheaded the development of Sacramento State’s High Energy Physics Program at CERN in Switzerland.
Dr. DeGraffenreid previously served as the Chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy (2011-18), Interim Associate Vice President for the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development (2017 – 2018) and he has most recently served as Special Assistant to the Office of the President since last September.
Along with the CSU system, we are continuing our suspension of travel activity to this region. We have contacted our students who are studying abroad to make sure they are safe. We have shared information with them about symptoms of coronavirus and what steps they should take if they start to experience any type of illness.
This situation is dynamic and evolving. We will continue to monitor it and to follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health. We also will continue to check in with our students abroad and to inform them about any changes that occur locally or internationally.
Sacramento is experiencing cold and flu season, and we should all make every effort to prevent the spread of germs. I encourage all who are unwell to contact their primary care provider. Students can access care through Student Health & Counseling Services at The WELL. Please take care of yourself. I wish you all a safe and successful spring semester.
Carlsen Center Leadership, June 28, 2019
June 28, 2019
In concurrence with President Nelsen, I am pleased to announce that beginning July 1, 2019, the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will be led by the team of Mr. Jyoti Das, Board Chair of Cognitive Exchange, and Dr. Christine Miller, Interim Vice Provost for Strategic Services, until the selection of a new Executive Director concludes in Fall 2019. Mr. Das will serve as Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and Dr. Miller will serve as Administrator-in-Charge; they will work together to direct the activities of the Carlsen Center and to advance its strategic aims. The Carlsen Center is integral to Sacramento State’s commitment to be a force for transformative change in the regional community as an “Anchor University,” and I’m confident Mr. Das and Dr. Miller will be catalysts for such change through their leadership of the Center in the next several months.
Appointment of Interim Dean, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
June 20, 2019
With the concurrence of President Nelsen and after consultation with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Lisa Hammersley will be appointed Interim Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics for the upcoming academic year. Dr. Hammersley will be stepping in after the departure of Dean Joanna Mott, who has accepted the position of Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Oregon Technical University.
Dr. Hammersley is an accomplished leader. Prior to her current position as Associate Dean in the College, she was Lead Project Director for the CSU-Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (CSU-LAMP) program, and has advanced the goals of the University through contributions to key initiatives such as the Platinum Analytics predictive enrollment software, the Graduation Initiative “Finish in Four” campaign, the Next Generation Learning Management System Task Force, the Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Board, the One World Initiative, the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Global Engagement, the Faculty Senate, and several other college and campus wide committees. In addition, she has served as administrator-in-charge for the college and has assisted the college dean in undertaking key managerial duties including issues related to students, academic personnel, scheduling, budget and communication strategies within the college.
Dr. Hammersley, a professor in the Department of Geology, holds a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Geology from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, and a Ph. D. in Geology from the University of California, Berkeley. She joined the geology department in 2003 and has received numerous honors and awards, including the Outstanding Scholarly and Creative Achievement Award, the Outstanding University Service Award, and the Outstanding Teaching Award for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Dr. Hammersley has an extensive record of scholarly publications and has won nationally competitive grants to support innovative research projects involving students.
Please join me in congratulating Dr. Hammersley on her appointment as she assumes this leadership role during an exciting time for the College: the anticipated Fall 2019 opening of the Ernest E. Tschannen Science Complex.
Dean Joanna Mott accepts offer to join Oregon Tech
June 14, 2019
Dr. Joanna Mott, who was named dean of Sacramento State’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM) two years ago, is leaving the University to become provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Oregon Institute of Technology.
Dr. Mott will assume her new position at Oregon Tech, in the southern Oregon town of Klamath Falls, on July 31, 2019.
During her tenure at Sac State, which began in June 2017, Dr. Mott helped prepare for NSM’s move into the new Ernest E. Tschannen Science Complex, which is scheduled to open for classes in September.
Sacramento State President Robert S. Nelsen lauded Dr. Mott’s contributions to the University.
“I have had the opportunity to work with Joanna at two different institutions now, and I am incredibly pleased to watch her career move in this direction,” Dr. Nelsen said, referring to their time together at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
“She has been instrumental in the completion of the new science complex, and I wish she could be here to see the doors open in the fall. Oregon Tech is lucky to have Joanna, but she will always be part of the Hornet Family. I wish her the best in her new role.”
Dr. Mott began her academic career at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and moved on to James Madison University before accepting the dean’s position at Sacramento State.
At Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Dr. Mott was hired as an Assistant Professor in biology in 1994, moving up until being named professor and chair of a new Department of Life Sciences. She served in that capacity from 2006 until 2011, when she accepted the job as head of James Madison’s Biology Department, a position she held until being hired by Sacramento State.
During her career, she helped generate in excess of $6 million through more than 80 grants and contracts, building on her strong record of applied environmental research.
A transition plan for NSM will be announced following consultation with the Faculty Senate.
Please join us in thanking Dr. Mott for her service and contributions to Sacramento State and its students.
UPDATE, Dec. 7, 2019: The University continues to investigate this incident, working with law enforcement and our Student Conduct office. If you have additional information, please go to Reporting Misconduct page. Thank you.
Academic Affairs Personnel Update, June 11, 2019
June 11, 2019
After consultation with the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, and in concurrence with President Nelsen, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Robin Carter will be appointed as Interim Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, after the departure of Dr. Fred Baldini, who has accepted the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Samuel Merritt University.
Dr. Carter brings to this position extensive experience as an accomplished administrator with a successful track record as Chair of the Division of Social Work, Associate Dean of the College she will now lead, Founding Interim Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion and, most recently, as Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. The depth and scope of her administrative experience includes budget and resource allocation, accreditation, faculty workload and compensation, assessment, program development and student success, to name a few. She has also held major leadership positions in statewide and national organizations and is the recipient of numerous awards. Dr. Carter is ‘Made at Sac State,’ having earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Master of Social Work at Sacramento State. She received both her Master’s and Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. Please join me in thanking Dr. Robin Carter for her willingness to bring her considerable leadership skills and abilities to bear in the College of Health and Human Services. Dr. Carter will serve in the Interim Dean role for a year while a search is performed for the next permanent Dean of the College.
Because of Dr. Carter’s appointment, there will be an opening in the Office of the Provost as Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs. The Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs has principle responsibilities for overseeing faculty personnel, faculty development, and budget management. As such, the Interim Vice Provost oversees the Office of Faculty Advancement, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and other responsibilities as assigned by the Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Other duties can be found in the complete job description. Those wishing to be considered for this interim position are asked to submit a letter of interest and resumé for Interim Provost Perez’s review by July 1, 2019 to cjohnson@csus.edu.
Dean Fred Baldini accepts offer to join Samuel Merritt University
June 10, 2019
Expressing gratitude and respect, Sacramento State President Robert S. Nelsen and Interim Provost Steve Perez announce that Dr. Fred Baldini, longtime dean of the College of Health and Human Services, will leave Sacramento State to become provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Samuel Merritt University, effective July 8, 2019.
Dr. Baldini was appointed HHS dean in 2010. He has been a valued faculty member at the University for more than 30 years.
“Dean Fred Baldini is an institution at Sacramento State,” Nelsen says. “He not only was ‘Made at Sac State’; he helped make Sac State. He will be missed, but he will do great things for the students at Samuel Merritt.”
Among his many accomplishments as dean, Dr. Baldini led the successful push to develop and build state-of-the-art teaching, research, and clinical facilities at Folsom Hall. He also was actively involved in academic advancements, including the addition of two doctoral programs (Physical Therapy and Audiology), a Master of Public Health, and a Health Services bachelor’s degree.
Before becoming dean, Dr. Baldini served nine years as chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science. He was selected to receive an Outstanding Teaching Award in 1994 and an Outstanding Service Award in 2003 on behalf of the College of Health and Human Services.
Dr. Baldini has served on several community and professional boards, and was director of the Human Performance Lab and the United States Olympic Committee/National Wheelchair Athletic Association’s Disabled Athlete Training Camp. Dr. Baldini has been active in management and leadership as well as alumni affairs.
Dr. Baldini received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Sacramento State before earning a doctorate in exercise science from Arizona State.
A transition plan for HHS will be announced following consultation with the Faculty Senate.
Please join us in thanking Dr. Baldini for three decades of valued service and exceptional contributions to Sacramento State and its students.
Archive of Provost Communications