February 27, 2014
Kenyon Chan named interim chancellor at University of Washington Tacoma
Kenyon S. Chan, former chancellor of the University of Washington Bothell, has been named interim chancellor of the University of Washington Tacoma, effective March 16, 2014.
He replaces Debra Friedman, who died Jan. 26 after a short battle with lung cancer.
Kenyon S. Chan
Chan became chancellor of UW Bothell in 2007 and served until last year. Previously, he was interim president of Occidental College in Los Angeles, where he had been dean of the college, vice president for academic affairs and professor of psychology since 2003.
During his tenure, UW Bothell enrollment rose from nearly 1,900 full- and part-time students to more than 4,600, with an emphasis on diversity and recruitment from all parts of the state.
In 2007, UW Bothell had a few core programs in three disciplines; today there are more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in three schools. To accommodate the rapid growth, the campus added 340,000 square feet of space in six years.
“We are fortunate that Chancellor Chan is willing and able to step in under these circumstances and provide leadership for the campus in Tacoma until the next chancellor is appointed,” said UW Provost Ana Mari Cauce. “His experience and success at UW Bothell will serve him well in Tacoma. I am confident that in the relatively brief time he will serve as interim chancellor, he will carry on the work Debra began and we will see good things happen.”
“I am honored to be appointed interim chancellor for the University of Washington Tacoma,” said Chan. “It is a privilege to serve the campus during this period of reaffirmation. I look forward to working with the outstanding students, faculty, staff and community that make UW Tacoma one of the most significant urban-serving universities in the country. We have exciting and important days ahead.”
Chan earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1970, a master’s in special education from UCLA in 1972, and a doctorate in educational psychology from UCLA in 1974.
He was an assistant professor in UCLA’s School of Education from 1973 to 1981 and was on the clinical faculty in behavioral sciences in the UCLA School of Medicine and Santa Monica Hospital Medical Center from 1983 to 1990. He served as chairman and professor of the Asian American Studies Department at California State University, Northridge, from 1990 to 1998.
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