Interim Provost, CEIS and CLASS Deans Selected
July 15, 2021
Dear Campus Community,
Following the announcement last week of Dr. Sylvia Alva’s appointment as CSU Executive Vice Chancellor, I have consulted with the Academic Senate and other faculty and university leaders on interim leadership for the Division of Academic Affairs to assure continuity of our mission and progress on our strategic priorities. It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. Iris Levine as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.
Dr. Levine has served as the dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) since 2018. She took on the additional role of the dean of the College of Education and Integrative Studies (CEIS) in January.
Dr. Levine joined Cal Poly Pomona as a faculty member in the Department of Music in 1990 and was promoted to department chair in 2000. She became interim dean of CLASS in 2017 and was subsequently selected as the permanent incumbent. Dr. Levine holds a master’s degree in choral conducting from Temple University and a doctorate degree in musical arts from the University of Southern California.
I am delighted that Dr. Levine will take on the role of interim Provost. She has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, dedication to both student and faculty success, and has been a champion for innovation in her roles as chair and dean. We look forward to her continued contributions to Cal Poly Pomona as interim Provost.
Dr. Sara Garver has been selected to serve as interim dean of CLASS. She currently serves as the associate dean for academic programs and student success in the college and is a professor in the Department of Geography and Anthropology.
She joined the faculty of Cal Poly Pomona in 1997. She earned her undergraduate, master’s degree and doctorate in physical geography from UC Santa Barbara.
Dr. Garver’s experience in and commitment to student success make her especially well-positioned to serve as interim dean of CLASS. We appreciate her dedication and expertise.
Dr. Hend Gilli-Elewy will serve as interim dean of CEIS. She joined the Interdisciplinary General Education (IGE) Department as assistant professor in 2005 before becoming associate professor then full professor. Dr. Gilli-Elewy currently serves as associate dean in CEIS. She earned a doctorate in Islamic Studies from the University of Cologne.
Dr. Gilli-Elewy is a dedicated educator with a passion for working with and supporting students. This new role will give her an opportunity to build upon the contributions she has made already to the college.
Please join me in thanking Drs. Gilli-Elewy, Garver, and Levine for their service in these crucial interim leadership roles. A national search for Cal Poly Pomona’s permanent Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost will commence in the fall.
Sincerely,
Soraya M. Coley, Ph.D.
President