SUBJECT:

Appointment of Dr. Becky Petitt as Vice Chancellor - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (VC-EDI)

Following a comprehensive nationwide search, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Becky Petitt as UC San Diego’s next Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (VC-EDI), effective March 23, 2015. She will report to the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, with an indirect reporting relationship to the Chancellor.

As VC-EDI, Dr. Petitt will be a member of the Chancellor's Cabinet, and serve as the lead senior executive responsible for providing a holistic and integrated vision on all major equity, diversity and inclusion efforts at UC San Diego. She will help lead the institution effectively in productive collaborative partnerships throughout the campus and with external constituents to catalyze change in this area. Additionally, she will oversee the Office for EDI which is charged to partner with all campus units to address diversity across all areas of UC San Diego’s mission including outreach, recruitment, retention, and climate.

Dr. Petitt has twenty-four years of progressive leadership and management experience with a proven record of success in diversity work across the university community, including faculty, staff, and students. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Diversity and Chief of Staff to the Office of the Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity at Texas A&M University. As an adjunct faculty member, she has taught courses focused on educational administration, social justice, and organizational development. This unique combination of disciplinary knowledge informs her excellent command of issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion, in higher education. Her research interests include racial, gender, and economic inequality, service employees in the Academy, organizational development, and organizational change. In her current role, Dr. Petitt works with the leadership team to lead, implement, and assess strategic diversity initiatives.

Dr. Petitt’s experience, scholarship, and commitment to issues of equality make her well qualified to provide leadership as UC San Diego’s VC-EDI. We look forward to her partnership in our efforts to create a more welcoming, diverse and inclusive campus community. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Becky Petitt to UC San Diego.

Pradeep K. Khosla Chancellor Suresh Subramani Executive Vice Chancellor