Judy K. Sakaki, vice president for student affairs and dean of students at California State University, Fresno, has been named vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of California, Davis.

Sakaki's appointment is effective July 1, pending approval by the UC Board of Regents.

In her new post, Sakaki, 49, will be responsible for programs and services that contribute to the campus's learning environment and enhance the academic and personal development of students.

"Judy brings to UC Davis an understanding of the importance of creating linkages between student services and the academic programs and substantial experience with diverse student populations," said UC Davis Chancellor Larry N. Vanderhoef. "Her expertise, insights and passion for providing an optimal learning environment will serve our students and our broader campus community very well."

Sakaki succeeds Carol F. Wall, who retired Jan. 1. Associate Vice Chancellor Robert G. Franks has been acting vice chancellor since Wall's departure.

"I am honored and very excited about joining the UC Davis community," Sakaki said. "I look forward to working with students, faculty, staff, administrators and members of the community. Together, we can make a difference."

Sakaki was selected after a seven-month search by a committee of faculty, staff and students that screened more than 75 applications and nominations from across the nation.

A veteran higher education administrator with more than 25 years of experience, Sakaki was an American Council on Education Fellow, a California State University Executive Fellow and completed executive leadership development programs at Harvard University and through the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

She has served as vice president for student affairs and dean of students at CSU-Fresno since 1997, providing administrative leadership to more than 35 student support programs and services. She was dean of student affairs from 1995 to 1997.

Previously, she held several posts at CSU-Hayward, including executive director of student academic services, 1989-94; special assistant to the president for educational equity, 1993-94; adjunct faculty member in the Department of Educational Psychology, 1981-94; associate director of the Educational Opportunity Program, 1983-88; counselor coordinator of the Educational Opportunity Program, 1980-83; and outreach and retention counselor, 1976-80. She also served as a counselor at a Hayward emergency shelter for battered women and children, 1975-76, and as assistant to the editor of the journal Psychology of Women Quarterly.

Her professional acknowledgments include Phi Kappa Phi Administrator Honors, Top Ten Business/Professional Woman of the Year award and a Friend of Summer Bridge Lifetime Award.

She is co-chair of the CSU Council of Vice Presidents for Student Affairs, was co-president of Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education, a member of the executive committee of the Northern California chapter of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and chaired a systemwide CSU subcommittee on alcohol policies.

Sakaki received a bachelor's degree in human development in 1975 and a master's degree in educational psychology in 1977, both from CSU-Hayward. In 1991, she received a doctoral degree from UC Berkeley in counseling psychology and higher education administration, with an emphasis in student affairs administration.

Editor's Note: A digitized photo is available from Amy Rafferty, aerafferty@ucdavis.edu, (530) 752-9836.