Leadership news

De Acker

Campus ombuds
Start date: January 4, 2023

De Acker is reviving the Office of the Ombuds at UC Santa Cruz, after it closed in 2012 due to budget cuts. Acker founded the Office of the Ombuds at UC Merced in 2012 and has helped students, faculty, and staff work through difficult situations they’re navigating in the campus environment. “I really believe in the magic of ombuds,” Acker said. “When people are able to express themselves, sometimes the conversation will change.”

 

Teenie Matlock

Special adviser to the chancellor on Indigenous relations
Start date: January 16, 2023

Teenie Matlock, special adviser to the chancellor on Indigenous relations and most recently vice provost for academic personnel at UC Merced, is of Southern Sierra Miwuk lineage and is an active member of the American Indian Council of Mariposa County. She is engaged throughout the UC system in promoting inclusivity. In her role as special adviser, Matlock provides leadership and consultation on various matters and provides support to Native initiatives and opportunities. 

Ed Reiskin

Vice chancellor for finance, operations and administration
Start date: February 6, 2023

Ed Reiskin, vice chancellor for finance, operations and administration, spent more than 20 years as a public sector administrator, most recently as the city of Oakland’s top administrative officer. His background in the public sector, working to make a difference in the lives of marginalized people, aligns with the UC Santa Cruz mission. 

 

Eréndira Rubin

Chief campus counsel
Start date: March 16, 2023

With more than 10 years of experience in higher education, Eréndira Rubin will lead the Office of Campus Counsel and continue to provide clear and thoughtful legal advice. A collaborative leader with a deep understanding of the intricacies in public higher education, she effectively breaks down complex legal issues and offers helpful guidance to UC Santa Cruz leaders. Rubin joined UC Santa Cruz in 2019 as principal campus counsel, advising campus leaders on a wide array of legal matters, including intellectual property, privacy, data use, real estate transactions, contracts, licensing agreements, and labor relations. 

 

Kevin Domby

Executive director of public safety and UC Santa Cruz chief of police
Start date: May 1, 2023

Kevin Domby, the new executive director of public safety and UC Santa Cruz chief of police, comes to the campus after 23 years with the California Highway Patrol. He started and now finishes his career in the Santa Cruz area. Rising through the ranks, he has served as an officer, sergeant, lieutenant, supervisor, and acting commander and collaborated with local, state, and federal agencies in areas such as community outreach, emergency response, and incident command. 

 

Bryan Gaensler

Dean of the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences
Start date: August 15, 2023

Bryan Gaensler, the incoming dean of the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences, is currently director of the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto, where he is a professor in the David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and a Canada Research Chair in Radio Astronomy. Gaensler will succeed Paul Koch, who has served as dean since 2011.