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VANCOUVER, Wash. – Renny Christopher has accepted the position of vice chancellor for academic affairs at Washington State University Vancouver. She will take her post on Aug. 5.
Christopher most recently served as associate provost at California State University, Channel Islands.
The vice chancellor for academic affairs is WSU Vancouver’s chief academic officer.
Christopher will be responsible for academic development, coordination of academic programs, advancing campus diversity efforts, and development of infrastructure to support the growth of quality research and teaching.
“Renny’s experience as a part of a branch campus system will serve us well, she is collaborative and faculty oriented, and we are thrilled she has decided to share her administrative experience with WSU Vancouver,” said Suzanne Smith, chair of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Search Committee.
Christopher said she intends to spend her first year guiding the campus through the academic planning process in cooperation with faculty and administration.
“I’m looking forward to working with faculty. I had very positive interactions with many faculty while interviewing. I’m excited about the mission of the university and the cool research that’s going on,” said Christopher. “I’m eager to see the campus take the next step in its evolution and to be a part of it.”
Like many WSU Vancouver students, Christopher is a first-generation college student. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Mills College, a master’s degree in linguistics from San Jose State University and a doctorate in literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Christopher will take over for Carolyn Long, who served as interim vice chancellor for the 2012/2013 academic year. Long will return to the College of Arts and Sciences in the fall as associate professor in the School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs.
Christopher plans to reside in Vancouver when she relocates from California.
“I think the Pacific Northwest is a great place to live,” she said. “There is a good deal of consciousness about environment and the need for forward thinking in that area.”
She said she is looking forward to kayaking in the region.