In this edition of Org Chart, Dateline UC Davis is sharing news of a number of recent appointments to lead various institutes at UC Davis, as well as leadership positions within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Continuing and Professional Education. Read on to find out more.

Dateline UC Davis welcomes news of appointments of various kinds for faculty and staff, for publication in Org Chart (formerly titled Transitions). Send information to dateline@ucdavis.edu.

1 executive associate dean, 2 associate deans

The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has named Professor Jason Bond the new executive associate dean, or EAD, after serving on an interim basis in that position for several months. Professor Anne Todgham is the new associate dean for agricultural sciences and Professor Amanda Guyer is associate dean for human and social sciences.

“Each of them brings a breadth of experience to their roles and will build upon that commitment and leadership to the college,” Dean Ashley M. Stokes said. “I am very excited to strengthen our leadership team with their expertise and dedication.”

Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute director

The Office of Research announced the appointment of Andrea C. Alfaro as the new director of the Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute, or CMSI, and professor in the Department of Animal Science, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Alfaro succeeds Jay Stachowicz, a professor in the Department of Evolution and Ecology, who served as the interim director of the research unit for the past two years.

In her role, Alfaro also assumes responsibility for the Bodega Marine Laboratory, or BML, the core research and educational facility of CMSI, succeeding John Largier, a professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy and director of BML since April 2022.

“Andrea is well-suited to excel in her leadership role at CMSI, bringing a deep scientific background in marine sciences and an impressive track record of success leading large, multidisciplinary projects,” said Simon Atkinson, vice chancellor for research at UC Davis. “I would like to thank Jay and John for their admirable contributions throughout their leadership terms and their support to ensure an effective transition.”

Continuing and Professional Education associate dean

Alison Book has been appointed associate dean for Human Services within the Division of Continuing and Professional Education, or CPE. Human Services — CPE’s largest portfolio — delivers training, workforce development and educational support services to human services professionals and organizations across California through state, county, university and community-based partnerships.

Book joined UC Davis Human Services in 2017, and her experience includes training, coaching and consultation for the child welfare workforce with an emphasis on leadership, organizational improvement and implementation science to support best practice.

“Alison has done exceptional work as executive director of Human Services, and over the past year and a half, she has also been a key contributor to our Senior Leadership Team,” said Juliet Greenwood, dean of Continuing and Professional Education. “Her thoughtful, service-oriented leadership has played a vital role in shaping our goal as a statewide leader in workforce development and advancing the impact of our division.”

Davis Humanities Institute director

Jenny Kaminer has been named director of the Davis Humanities Institute, or DHI. Over the past two years, Kaminer has chaired the DHI Visioning Committee, leading a collaborative effort to reimagine and revitalize the institute.

“I am confident in Professor Kaminer’s leadership to advance these goals and to strengthen DHI as a campus hub for connection and ideas across the arts, humanities and beyond,” said Estella Atekwana, dean of the College of Letters and Science.

Kaminer is a professor of Russian and has an affiliated faculty position in the Department of Comparative Literature. Kaminer has been with UC Davis since 2009. Most recently, she was awarded the 2025 College of Letters and Science Teaching Award. In addition to her work with the DHI, Kaminer previously served as chair of the Department of German and Russian and dean’s office faculty advisor for the arts and humanities in the College of Letters and Science.

Institute of Transportation Studies director

The Office of Research announced the appointment of Alissa Kendall, the Ray B. Krone Endowed Professor of Environmental Engineering, as the new director of the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies, or ITS-Davis. Kendall succeeds founding director Dan Sperling, who has led the institute since its establishment in 1991.

“Professor Kendall is a proven thought leader and natural collaborator certain to deliver immediate and long-term advancements through the institute,” said Simon Atkinson, vice chancellor for research at UC Davis. “She is an excellent choice to build upon the success established throughout Dan Sperling’s leadership.”

Kendall has served as associate director of ITS-Davis for the past year, helping guide the institute’s expansive research, education, and policy engagement portfolio. She is an internationally-recognized scholar in industrial ecology and lifecycle assessment, with over 100 peer-reviewed publications spanning transportation, infrastructure, energy and agriculture. Her work has provided rigorous insights into the environmental impacts of vehicles, fuels and infrastructure systems, advancing science-based solutions for climate and mobility challenges.

GradPathways Institute director

Archana Venkatesan, professor of religious studies, has been appointed as the first-ever faculty director of the GradPathways Institute for Professional Development, or GPI, Graduate Studies announced.

The GradPathways Institute is central to UC Davis’s commitment to equitable graduate student outcomes, retention and robust support for postdoctoral scholars. During the last academic year, Graduate Studies has reimagined and broadened the GradPathways Institute to include more than professional development. Venkatesan will be responsible for leading the program’s transition to a more holistic model consisting of four key areas: mentoring; equity and inclusion; professional development; and career readiness. She brings a wealth of experience both as a celebrated scholar and innovative leader who will ensure GPI’s success in this new era in keeping with the university’s strategic and fiscal goals

“We’re so excited to welcome Professor Venkatesan,” said Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies Jean-Pierre Delplanque. “Her vision, experience and leadership will help establish GPI as a cornerstone of UC Davis’s graduate student and postdoctoral success infrastructure at this pivotal juncture.” 

Institute of the Environment interim director

The Office of Research announced the appointment of Clare Cannon as the interim director of the Institute of the Environment, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

Cannon is an associate professor in the Department of Human Ecology, where she, as an interdisciplinary scholar, studies the intersections of social and environmental justice. Using a diverse array of approaches including community-engaged, quantitative, spatial and qualitative methods, Cannon focuses on examining environmental injustices, advancing climate resilience through adaptation, and investigating health disparities related to stress, vulnerability and violence.

As an interim director of the institute, Cannon will leverage her research expertise, experience and deep understanding of environmental and climate justice to lead the Institute.

4 endowed chairs, 1 research scholar

The School of Law has appointed four luminary faculty members to open endowed chairs. The chairs were established previously through generous gifts from alumni and are awarded to faculty members who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, as well as in teaching and service.

• Professor of Law Afra Afsharipour was named the John D. Ayer Endowed Chair.
• Distinguished Professor of Law Vikram Amar received the Daniel J. Dykstra Endowed Chair.
• Professor of Law David Horton was named the Fair Business Practices and Investor Advocacy Endowed Chair.
• Professor of Law Chimène Keitner received the Homer G. Angelo and Ann Berryhill Endowed Chair.

Separately, the School of Law named Distinguished Professor of Law Lisa Pruitt the inaugural Brigitte Bodenheimer Research Scholar.