Chancellor 

Gary S. May, the seventh leader of UC Davis, has said that his position is a cross between a school principal and the mayor of a small city. He is known as a dynamic leader with a passion for helping others succeed. May is also an accomplished scholar and engineer.

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

Mary Croughan serves as the number two person in the UC Davis administration, representing the chancellor in his absence. Mary is the campus’ chief academic and operating office and, in that post, she oversees the work of the deans and helps guide academic strategies.

Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer

After a BSC and a PhD in Organic Chemistry at the University of Glasgow, George joined ICI (a major UK Chemicals business) and spent 15 years in in Sales, Marketing and Business Management. Sectors covered included bulk petrochemicals, water treatment, electrochemical technology licensing, brine cavity usage and major power contracts. He then joined AstraZeneca Specialty Chemicals to lead their Japanese ink jet dye business. 

Dean, School of Law

Jessica Berg is Dean of the UC Davis School of Law. She received both her B.A. and J.D., with honors, from Cornell University where she was a notes editor of the Cornell Law Review. She received her MPH from Case Western Reserve University.

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics 

Rocko DeLuca leads athletics at UC Davis; he is responsible for the eligibility and welfare of student-athletes, program operations, fiscal planning and management, marketing and promotions, corporate sponsorships, television and radio contracts, and more.

Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff

Karl Engelback works closely with Chancellor May and has a hand in many as[ects of running the university. Besides earning two degrees from UC Davis, he has a wealth of knowledge that comes from different roles on campus since 2008. Shadowing Karl will likely mean many high-level meetings where impactful decisions are being made for the campus.

Interim Vice Chancellor of Human Health SciencesChief Clinical Officer for UC Davis Health

In his Interim Vice Chancellor of Human Health Sciences role, Hall is responsible for the strategic direction of UC Davis Health, including oversight of the UC Davis School of Medicine and Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. He will participate in campuswide policy development and strategic implementation through membership on the Chancellor’s Leadership Council and the Council of Deans and Vice Chancellors.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Pablo Reguerin, who earned his doctorate in education from UC Davis, oversees the nearly 30 units that make up the Division of Student Affairs, including programs and partnerships that promote student learning and success, personal growth and lifelong education.

Vice Chancellor for Finance, Operations, and Administration

Clare Shinnerl provides leadership and strategic planning in the areas of human resources, finance, budget planning, facilities management and campus planning and design, among other responsibilities. She is responsible for the university’s capital and operating budget totaling about $4.6 billion annually. 

Dean, School of Education

Tom Smith joined UC Davis in June 2024 as its dean of the School of Education. He is a highly accomplished researcher, educator, and leader with more than 30 years of experience in education, and has held several leadership roles at UC Riverside, including interim provost and executive vice chancellor, dean of the Graduate School of Education, and interim vice chancellor for Student Affairs.

Chief Campus Counsel

Michael Sweeney is UC Davis’ chief campus counsel and provides legal services related to all aspects of running a large university, from the First Amendment to undocumented students. Michael has worked as a UC Davis attorney since 2007; prior to that he was a civil rights attorney for the California Attorney General’s Office.

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

As the chief marketing and communications officer, Dana Topousis leads the Strategic Communications department. Dana has a team of news writers, videographers and photographers, social media experts, website managers and programmers, and marketing professionals who all help tell the stories of UC Davis.

Vice Chancellor of Inclusive Excellence

Renetta Tull is a passionate advocate, global mentor, education policy strategist, and champion for equity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). She is the first person to hold this position at UC Davis.

University Librarian

William Garrity is responsible for oversight of the UC Davis Library, one of the nation’s top academic research libraries and a major academic unit supporting the students and faculty of UC Davis, the healthcare professionals of UC Davis Health, and the public. Garrity brings more than 30 years of experience working in university libraries, health science libraries and information technology.

Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)

Tammy Kenber assumed the role of Chief Human Resources Officer for UC Davis and UC Davis Health in December 2022. Kenber's priorities focus on people and cultivating a holistic and rewarding work environment throughout each phase of employment, from candidacy to retirement, for all employees. 

Director of Audit and Management Advisory Services

Ryan Dickson oversees the team that reviews and monitors how the university at large manages its operations, adheres to governance processes, manages systems of internal control and financial oversight, and complies with laws, regulations and university policies for both the Davis and Sacramento campuses. Prior to joining AMAS, Dickson was a lecturer in the Department of English for three years.