Two Woman Deans at the University of California, Berkeley Are Stepping Down to Return to Teaching

Carla Hesse, executive dean of the College of Letters & Science and dean of the Division of Social Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, is stepping down from her administrative posts and returning to a full-time faculty position. She served as executive dean since 2014 and dean of the social sciences division since 2009. In these positions, she established an external advisory board, oversaw record-breaking fundraising campaigns, and created a new global studies major. She has taught modern European history at the university since 1989.

Dr. Hesse holds a bachelor’s degree in history and French literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Princeton University in New Jersey.

Jennifer Wolch, dean of the College of Environmental Design, has announced her retirement as dean, effective next summer. She has served as dean since 2009 and is the first woman to hold the position. During her tenure, she increased interdisciplinary academic offerings, renovated and created physical learning and social spaces in the college, increased diversity among the college’s faculty and staff, and boosted financial support for students. She will be returning to a full-time faculty position upon her retirement as dean.

Dr. Wolch holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a master’s degree in geography from California State University and a Ph.D. in urban planning from Princeton University.