Dean Anil Deolalikar
Summer is always an exciting time of transition.
This past June we conferred degrees to graduates of the Class of 2022 who, I am proud to say, are now the newest members of our growing alumni network. (View a video of the ceremony). This marked the first time we ever conducted a commencement ceremony just for public policy graduates (previously we had shared the stage with the School of Education). It was also a special occasion as we welcomed back MPP alumni from the Class of 2020 and 2021 so they could finally get the in-person hooding ceremony they so properly deserved.
After saying farewell to our graduates, this summer I am now in the midst of welcoming to the School our incoming freshmen and transfer students during Highlander orientation sessions. These new additions to the SPP family are high-achieving, socially-minded, and politically engaged - which is just the mold we strive for in our students.
And staying on the topic of transitions, I am delighted to announce that Dr. Mark Long of the University of Washington has been selected to serve as the School of Public Policy’s new dean. He begins his deanship on January 1st. As such, I will remain in the role for just a bit longer during the summer and fall quarters. I look forward to helping foster a seamless transition for Dean Long prior to his arrival.
In the meantime, summer may be a lax time, but I encourage you to still stay engaged with the School. On August 16th, our research center, the Inland Center for Sustainable Development will hold a seminar on the drought by Western Municipal Water District General Manager Craig Miller. Then on August 24th, another of our research centers, the Presley Center of Crime and Justice Studies, will hold a research roundtable on employers’ willingness to hire the formerly incarcerated. We hope to see you there.
Lastly, I invite you to watch our May 13th advisory board meeting to see just how far we have come as a School these past ten years.
Until the next newsletter, I wish you all a relaxing summer.