Dear Colleagues,
We are delighted to announce that Lisa García Bedolla has been reappointed as vice provost for graduate studies and dean of the Graduate Division for a second five-year term, beginning July 1, 2024.
Dean García Bedolla's leadership over the past five years has been instrumental in advancing our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; moreover, her accomplishments have significantly enriched our graduate student community and programs. She is a steadfast leader who, even in challenging times, always prioritized her team and the graduate student experience.
Aside from her effective oversight of over 13,000 graduate students, Academic Senate policy implementation, and over 50 career staff members throughout her tenure, Dean García Bedolla has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to supporting our graduate students through their full journey, from outreach to degree conferral. Some of her achievements include:
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The implementation of the five-year funding initiative for all admitted doctoral students starting in fall 2022;
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An increase in graduate fellowships that includes providing support for a successful campaign that raised over $420 million, with 58 $1 million endowed graduate fellowships;
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Expanded outreach efforts that tripled the number of programs eligible for fee waivers, and launching new recruitment strategies and annual events;
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Establishing, in partnership with the Divisions of Equity and Inclusion and Student Affairs, the Inclusive Excellence Hub, which provides community and support to minoritized graduate students;
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Developed the Path to the Professoriate program, which provides guidance and support to first-year doctoral students.
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Created the Graduate Peer Support Provider program to provide graduate students with wellness support;
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Neurodiversity Task Force: In partnership with the Division of Equity and Inclusion, Dean García Bedolla launched a Neurodiversity Task Force to develop recommendations for supporting neurodivergent graduate student needs.
Additionally, Dean García Bedolla is also a distinguished scholar in the Berkeley School of Education and has published extensively, contributing to the discourse in her field.
Dean García Bedolla's visionary leadership and tireless advocacy for Berkeley’s graduate students have had a transformative impact on our graduate programs and community. We are incredibly fortunate to have her continue in her role.
Please join us in congratulating Lisa García Bedolla on her reappointment.
Sincerely,
Carol T. ChristChancellor
Benjamin E. Hermalin
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost