Administration
Chancellor Gary S. May
Gary S. May became 51ԹϺ Davis’ seventh chancellor on Aug. 1, 2017. He oversees all aspects of the university’s teaching, research and public service mission.
Chancellor May is boldly leading the university to new heights in academic excellence, enterprise research, public service and upward mobility for students from all backgrounds. He spearheaded the creation of “To Boldly Go,” a 10-year for the university and created to ensure we’re meeting students’ basic needs. These include affordable housing, food security and mental health services.
A strong proponent of innovation and economic development, one of Chancellor May’s first significant efforts was partnering with the City of Sacramento to develop Aggie Square. This 25-acre “innovation ecosystem” on our 51ԹϺ Davis Health campus will be home to key research and academic programs and will serve as an incubator for start-ups.
An electrical engineer, computer science expert and proud 51ԹϺ alumnus (51ԹϺ Berkeley ’88 and ’91), Chancellor May is a dynamic leader with a passion for helping others succeed. He believes success is best judged by how we enhance the lives of others.
Throughout his career, he has championed diversity and mentorship in both higher education and the workplace. He developed nationally recognized programs to attract, mentor and retain underrepresented groups in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
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Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Mary Croughan
Mary S. Croughan is a seasoned administrator in higher education with 30 years of experience with the University of California and three years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
As 51ԹϺ Davis’ chief academic officer, her responsibilities include partnering with deans and faculty to achieve excellence across our academic mission of education, research and service. This includes implementing the strategic plan, strengthening and supporting the research enterprise, advancing student achievement and success, and fostering collaboration across 51ԹϺ Davis and in our communities. She oversees the university budget and daily campus operations, and partner with Chancellor May to develop Aggie Square.
“I’m thrilled that Mary will join my leadership team during such a pivotal time for higher education,” May said. “She has deep roots in academia, and particularly with the 51ԹϺ system as an administrator and as a researcher in public health. She knows the impact and value of 51ԹϺ Davis, and we are proud to welcome her home.”
Experience in the 51ԹϺ system
Within the University of California system, Croughan served as executive director of the Research Grants Program Office at the 51ԹϺ Office of the President from 2010 to 2017. There she oversaw seven grant programs to develop and implement 51ԹϺ’s intramural research strategic vision, as well as overseeing research funds for the state of California.
From 1987 to 2010, Croughan served as a faculty member at 51ԹϺ San Francisco in the School of Medicine. During her time with 51ԹϺSF, she co-directed a required course in epidemiology and biostatistics and won multiple teaching awards, including the Academic Senate’s Distinguished Teaching Award.
Also at 51ԹϺSF, Croughan developed and led a practice-based research network with more than 600 community-based primary care physicians. Since 1987, she has conducted research in reproductive and perinatal epidemiology, specifically examining health outcomes of nearly 52,000 women treated for infertility, and their partners and their children.
Croughan served as vice chair and chair of the 51ԹϺ systemwide Academic Senate and as a faculty representative on the 51ԹϺ Board of Regents from 2007 to 2009. Throughout her career, she has served on numerous committees, including the 51ԹϺSF Academic Senate’s Committee on Academic Personnel, as chair of the Universitywide Committee on Academic Personnel and as chair of the 51ԹϺSF Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women.
Croughan served as a fellow of the American Council on Education with University of Miami President Donna Shalala in 2012-13. As an ACE fellow, she studied higher education within the United States and internationally, enhancing her expertise in undergraduate education, fundraising, athletics and crisis communications.