Public Communications has new name, AVC
Lisa Lapin, director of the News Service at UC Davis since 1999, is the new assistant vice chancellor for University Communications. She assumed her new duties in May, replacing Maril Stratton, who is now assistant chancellor for communications in the Office of the Chancellor and Provost. Lapin is responsible for all operations of University Communications, formerly Public Communications, including the Publications and News Service units. She oversees media relations, Web and electronic communications, design, Dateline, UC Davis Magazine, broadcast and strategic communications for the campus.
Before coming to UC Davis, Lapin spent 15 years as an editor and reporter at major daily newspapers, including The Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News and Los Angeles Times. She has a bachelor's degree in print journalism from the University of Southern California.
Sylvia Wright, who has been a senior public information representative for science in the UC Davis News Service since 1997, is serving as interim director of the News Service.
CSU administrator to head enrollment support
Leon Washington has been named Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Academic Support. Leon replaces Yvonne Marsh, who retired June 30. He will join the campus Aug. 1.
Washington will have responsibility for areas related to undergraduate admissions, enrollment, financial aid, student academic support services, student-centered research and analysis, and the use of technology in support of student services and programs. He will offer leadership to: Undergraduate Admissions, Advising Services, Financial Aid, the Learning Skills Center, Services for International Students and Scholars, the Office of the Registrar, Student Affairs Research and Information and School/University Partnerships.
Washington has more than 20 years of experience in higher education administration. Most recently he has served as associate director for system enrollment management services in the California State University Chancellor's Office, with responsibility for enrollment management and planning for the 23 campuses of the CSU system.
Alumna named AVP; to guide undergraduate research center
Gail Martinez has been named Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies. For two years she has been a 50 percent principal investigator for a grant from the Hewlett Foundation for the General Education in Research Universities Program. She also has served as a 50 percent academic coordinator for Vice Provost Patricia Turner, focusing on programs to enhance an integrated vision for the undergraduate experience.
In her new post, Martinez's responsibilities include the development and implementation of an undergraduate research center, management of the general education scholars capstone projects initiated under the Hewlett grant; implementation of WASC reaccreditation review recommendations related to general education, and leadership for a learning communities pilot program at The Colleges at LaRue.
Martinez has been with UC Davis for 22 years, including 12 years with advising services, where she served as program coordinator for the Mentorship for Undergraduate Researchers in Agriculture, Letters and Science. She received her doctorate in education in 2000 from UC Davis.