Contreras, Norbash Appointed AVCs for Faculty Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

UC San Diego professors Frances Contreras and Alexander Norbash have been appointed to serve as associate vice chancellors for Faculty Equity, Diversity and Inclusion beginning January 2017. In their new academic leadership role, they will be providing direction in advancing the university’s goal of achieving and sustaining faculty equity, diversity, and inclusion and enhancing the climate for all faculty at UC San Diego.

Alexander Norbash

Alexander Norbash is a professor of radiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine and has 20 years of administrative leadership in higher education. He currently serves as the chair of the Department of Radiology for UC San Diego Health. Norbash is an interventional neuroradiologist with research interests that include translational engineering collaborations resulting in novel tools and materials for endovascular neurologic therapies. He served as the assistant dean for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs from 2011-2015 at Boston University School of Medicine, where he led multiple initiatives to enhance diversity and inclusion. He holds a Master’s of Science in management from Harvard School of Public Health with experience in leadership development, strategic planning and teamwork. A Fellow of the American College of Radiology, Norbash serves on their Board of Chancellors and is the president-elect of the Society of Chairs of Academic Radiology Departments.

Frances Contreras

Frances Contreras is an associate professor in the Department of Education Studies and most recently served as co-director of the joint doctoral program in Education Leadership at UC San Diego. She has more than ten years of administrative leadership both at UC San Diego and the University of Washington College of Education, where she directed their higher education program. Her research focuses on issues of equity and access for underrepresented students across a P-20 continuum. Her work has been published in leading education journals and presses, including Harvard Educational Review, Educational Policy, Harvard University Press, and Teachers College Press. Contreras’ most recent books include: Achieving Equity for Latino Students, Expanding the Pathway to Higher Education through Public Policy and The Latino Education Crisis with P. Gandara. She was honored as an “Emerging Scholar” and the “Top 25 to Watch” among academicians in the United States by Diverse Magazine. More recently, Contreras was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award by the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs for her work to address Latino student equity.

The appointments were announced by Becky Petitt, vice chancellor for the office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, noting, “We are fortunate to have colleagues with their extensive knowledge, experience, and expertise to serve the institution in this capacity.”