UC Davis’ potential inspires Katehi

4.21.10

When people ask you why you came to UC Davis, what is it about UC Davis that was the attraction for you?

There are two things: first, the strength of the institution and second, the fact that the university has done very well in many ways. From the scholarship area, in terms of faculty having been distinguished nationally and conducting research that is very new and at the center of the national agenda for its potential of moving forward.

It became clear when I was speaking with President Yudof about a year ago as I was considering this position that UC Davis was the one campus in the UC system that had the strongest indicators for success in terms of growing in research expanding in new directions and in terms of hiring very successful faculty who have become known and many more who are becoming known in their own areas of expertise. So, a lot of these indicators suggest that this is the place where someone can not only make an impact through hard work, but make an impact that is going to be visible.

The other thing is that this institution has the characteristics that were compatible with my strengths. It was a land-grant institution. I truly believe in public education, and it is the way that the land grants have defined it.

And also the fact the campus has been known for translational research. In my own area, being an engineer having done work that has translated into products, I felt my strength was not only doing basic research but also translating this into products. That made me feel my background was compatible with the school and also the potential of the school to do something very substantive in a very visible way.

Why do you think you were well-suited for the position at UC Davis?

I believed that I was ready when I was living back in Illinois. And the time you think you are ready is when you start having thoughts that a chancellor would normally have, when you think that your own ideas would be more appropriate. Second, the university was compatible with my background and values.

What’s been the biggest surprise?

The positive surprise is I anticipated the strength, the quality in this institution and the potential. From what I have seen, the quality is far greater and the potential is far bigger.

The negative surprise is I had always been told that UC Davis has a civil environment and a civil campus, and the events of the last few weeks have surprised me greatly.

Compare the campus climates between where you came from in Illinois and UC Davis.

In many ways they are very similar. Both are land-grant institutions with a deep sense of commitment to public education and with strong sciences. The difference that I felt about UC Davis, among those that I spoke with earlier and even now, is that it is more ready to take the first step. Faculty, staff and students are ready to take a risk — a lot more than I thought the community was willing to do at Illinois.

Is there anything that you have yet to see or do on campus?

I think I put my hands pretty much on everything so far.

Is there more to learn? Absolutely. There are specific groups and colleges that I need to learn about. We need to finalize our priorities so than we can move forward instead of worrying about what we have to cut today. I hope that, by the end of this year, we are going to be in much better shape. I think we have seen the worst of budget cuts.

What is the biggest challenge?

The challenge that I see is not intrinsic of the position, but a characteristic of the times. We have to focus on taking the actions we need today — in terms of cuts, in terms of eliminating positions, in terms of addressing the issue of salaries, in terms of addressing the need to start recruiting and so forth — at a time when we need also to focus on developing plans for moving forward. The events we live in today can be so overwhelming that the times can take the focus away from the future. We need to keep our eyes on the long-term goal as we take actions today for the things we need to do.

What is the best part of the job?

The ability to meet great people who are truly committed, who are eager to do new things. It is exciting to work with a team and create a leadership team that is vibrant and can move the campus forward in very exciting ways.

What does it mean to you to be the chancellor of the UC campus that is closest to the State Capitol in Sacramento?

It’s a great advantage to be close to where the action is and to have the opportunity to meet with legislators, to help them understand the importance of the university — the critical contribution that this institution is making to the state and the public — and to work with them to ensure that the institution remains protected as we go through these difficult economic times.

At my previous institution, we were always at a distance — about two hours. So it is a very exciting location and provides us with some wonderful opportunities in terms of programs and research outreach.

What thoughts were going through your mind as you were presented with the Chancellor’s Medal?

On the serious end, it’s a great deal of responsibility. You take on the responsibility to move the institution forward and the well-being of many people depends on me. When you collect yourself during those minutes, it brings a great deal of weight on your shoulders. People really depend on you and believe in you for the many things you have promised to do.

On the light end, I thought it was funny because I thought I would never be a chancellor. If anybody had told me years back I would be a chancellor, I would follow a different career because I always thought it was such a waste of time to be an administrator. I always felt that the administration was working against the interest of the faculty. And so, I’m trying to run away from that model.

Mitchel Benson is UC Davis’ assistant vice chancellor for University Communications.

On the UC Davis home page: Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi participates with Adam Loberstein, editor-in-chief of the California Aggie, at a meeting with student journalists, vice chancellors and deans. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis photo)