Visionary Seminar Series
The Visionary Seminar Series aims to explore the vision of a variety of experts on the future of education and research in the scientific areas encompassed by the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture and is sponsored by the COLSA Entrepreneurial Faculty Development Fund.
A New School of Natural Sciences at the University of California’s 10th and Newest Campus- UC Merced
Maria Pallavicini, Ph.D. Professor and Founding Dean; School of Natural Sciences at University of California, Merced
Thursday, March 27th 12:40 - 2:00 PM in Kingsbury Hall, N101
The School of Natural Sciences at UC Merced, the first research university to be built in the 21st century, began in 2002. The campus and the school are founded on the recognition that the most rapid advances in solving complex problems are often found at the interface of disciplines. Creating an inter-disciplinary environment, while valuing the strengths of core disciplines, is a challenge faced by many universities. Developing a new school provides opportunities to “start from scratch,” to consider new infrastructure to support innovative curricula and cutting-edge research, and develop shared governance so that faculty and administration work together toward common goals. As Founding Dean of the School of Natural Sciences, recruitment of the founding faculty for campus opening in 2005, implementation of research programs and new curricula, and development of school governance, has provide unprecedented opportunities to work with faculty to shape the academic environment of the newest UC campus. Building a school of Natural Sciences from scratch is a lesson in evolution, requiring flexibility, adaptation, and creativity of both faculty and the administration. The history and trajectory of the School of Natural Sciences at UC Merced, with lessons learned, opportunities met and yet to be met, will be described.
Seminars are free and open to the public. No reservations required.
