Division of Continuing and Professional Education Dean Paul McNeil has announced his retirement from university service effective July 1, to care for his aging parents on the east coast.
McNeil arrived in Davis in December of 2014 from the Columbia School of Continuing Education, where he had served as senior vice dean.
鈥淧aul brought many new ideas to 嘿嘿视频 and effected a number of structural and organizational realignments within the division,鈥 said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter. 鈥淲hile I regret the suddenness of his departure, I completely understand that aging parents require sustained support. I wish Paul all the best.鈥
Hexter cited McNeil鈥檚 leadership in renaming the division from its previous title of University Extension to Continuing and Professional Education to better reflect and communicate the division鈥檚 mission. In addition, CPE鈥檚 partnership with Coursera for delivering online programs has been a boon for both traditional and continuing students.
Chancellor Gary S. May has appointed Senior Associate Dean Susan D. Catron to provide interim leadership to the division. In her current role, Catron leads academic strategic planning, oversees the division鈥檚 professional education portfolio, and directs an innovation incubator responsible for identifying, assessing and nurturing new program initiatives. She leads a team of 100 academic and professional staff across three academic centers, and focuses on creating synergies across multidisciplinary teams. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from 嘿嘿视频, and a master鈥檚 degree in public policy from California State University, Sacramento.
Hexter will launch a national search for a permanent dean in the 2018-19 academic year.