Carolyn Thomas, vice provost and dean for Undergraduate Education, has been appointed provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at her alma mater, California State University, Fullerton. She will join the administration there on July 15.
A member of the 嘿嘿视频 faculty since 2001, Thomas became vice provost and dean on Jan. 1, 2013, serving on an interim basis until receiving the permanent appointment later that year. A highly engaged leader, she has implemented an ambitious agenda of advancing equity in the classroom, and evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning.
鈥淐arolyn has been an extraordinary leader and advocate for excellence in undergraduate education,鈥 said Ralph J. Hexter, provost and executive vice chancellor. 鈥淪he is passionate about the importance of teaching in the research university and about finding the best ways to help all our students advance and reach their full potential.鈥
Alma mater welcomes her back
Fram Virjee, president of Cal State Fullerton, (May 29): 鈥淲e at Dr. Thomas鈥檚 alma mater are proud and grateful that her passion for equitable access to public higher education has become a lifelong commitment to reinvest its transformative power in others.
鈥淭he Titan Family has long admired her work, leadership, and achievements from afar 鈥 at times with a pinch of jealousy, perhaps, but always with a huge sense of pride 鈥 and we are honored to not only welcome her home, but also thank 嘿嘿视频 for the two decades of opportunities it provided one of our best and brightest.鈥
Thomas earned high honors upon her graduation from CSUF with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American studies and German. She went on to the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Ph.D. in American studies.
A professor in the Department of American Studies, she has written two books, including Empty Pleasures: The Story of Artificial Sweeteners from Saccharin to Splenda (2010); and co-edited two books. She and history professor Louis Warren were the founding co-editors of Boom: A Journal of California from UC Press.
An advocate for first-generation college students
CSUF offers 110 degree programs and is known for its success in supporting first-generation and underrepresented students. Thomas has championed the same causes at 嘿嘿视频, by growing high-impact programs such as First-Year Seminars and restructuring the University Honors Program, which now offers a distinctive four-year curriculum representative of the campus鈥檚 diversity. New summer programs for incoming international and transfer students, and the innovative Quarter at Aggie Square, were also developed under her tenure.
A first-gen college graduate herself, she led 嘿嘿视频鈥 First Generation Faculty initiative, unique within the UC system for its faculty-facing approach. She championed the importance of academic advising, creating a new office to unify and support advising staff.
She has been a dedicated teacher and researcher throughout her time at 嘿嘿视频. She was a Chancellor鈥檚 Fellow (2008-13) and received the Chancellor鈥檚 Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research (2005-06). She has previously served as undergraduate and graduate faculty advisor, department chair and director of the 嘿嘿视频 Humanities Institute.
In consultation with Chancellor Gary S. May, Provost Hexter will immediately initiate a process to identify an interim vice provost and dean, with the hope that this person could be appointed in late June or early July. A search for a new vice provost and dean replacement will begin under the leadership of the new provost and executive vice chancellor, not yet selected, who will succeed Hexter as he steps down to focus on his teaching and research.