Dear colleagues,
I write to inform you that Linda Burton has decided to step down as the Dean of the School of Social Welfare on June 30, 2024, at the end of her current five-year term. This is not a decision that Linda came to lightly given her unwavering investment in the well-being and future of the school. She has been called upon to join an innovative interdisciplinary collective of community leaders, scholars, practitioners, policy-makers, and investors to engage in a year-long planning project to develop high-impact sustainable health and well-being policies and programs for economically disadvantaged families and children in America’s southern and rustbelt rural communities. These issues have been at the core of Linda’s research for four decades and present a unique and important opportunity for her to make a difference in these communities.
Through the end of her term, Linda will continue her strong leadership of the school as important work on several key initiatives continues. These ongoing efforts include completing the school’s academic program review and strategic planning processes, aligning faculty and staff workloads with the school’s plans for financial sustainability, and streamlining and revitalizing the school’s curriculum. She also will continue to focus on refining the school’s administrative infrastructure for greater efficiency and effectiveness, enhancing the school’s diversity and belonging climate and pursuing funding opportunities to increase graduate fellowships and financial support for students.
Chancellor Christ and I are committed to the success of the School of Social Welfare and to ensuring continuity of strong leadership. We are in discussion with Linda about the short- and long-term leadership needs of the school and will keep you updated as plans for the future take shape.
Please join me in thanking Linda for her skillful leadership of the School of Social Welfare and her dedicated service to Berkeley.
Sincerely,
Benjamin E. Hermalin
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost