UC Berkeley Registrar to Serve as Interim Dean

UC Berkeley University Registrar Susanna Castillo-Robson will step up as interim dean of students starting Monday, while campus officials conduct a nationwide search for the recently vacated position.

Castillo-Robson, who was appointed Wednesday by Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Genaro Padilla, will take over for outgoing Dean of Students Karen Kenney, who will leave her post later this month to direct the Alameda branch of Girls Inc., a non-profit organization.

Castillo-Robson will maintain her job as university registrar in addition to stepping up temporarily as the link between students and the university.

To meet the demands of the additional job, Castillo-Robson will make daily rounds between her two offices, devoting the morning hours to her registrar duties and running the Office of Student Life in the afternoon, she said.

"It will be a major juggling act on my part, but student affairs and (Office of Student Life) activities are two areas I've always been very interested in," Castillo-Robson said. "I'm very excited. This is a great opportunity."

Castillo-Robson, who graduated in 1974 from Stanford University with a master's degree in history, has served UC for nearly 28 years in a variety of administrative positions, from general operations manager at UC Berkeley's International House to director of student affairs and services at the UC Office of the President.

Castillo-Robson has also worked as the law school registrar at both Harvard University and Stanford University, and has been UC Berkeley's registrar since 1994.

The breadth of her experience has given her a strong sense of familiarity with various members of the

university, from the deans of students at nine UC campuses to student government leaders, she said.

"People have asked me what the scope of my jobs have been, and I tell them, 'everything except for admissions and financial aid,'" she said. "I've worked with all the policies and critical issues in the student affairs arena; I think it's good training."

Her past collaborations with students include working with the ASUC on e-voting, as well as working with the Student Fee Referendum Committee.

Qualifications aside, Castillo-Robson said she has developed a variety of critical skills that will serve her well when she becomes the new dean of students.

"I pride myself in being a problem solver," she said. "I really, truly believe I'm a good listener and can see various sides of most issues."

Walter Wong, associate registrar and Castillo-Robson's colleague of eight years, said her past experiences as an advocate for the improvement of disabled access and student systems like Telebears and Bear Facts will strike a chord with many students.

"It's a great time for students to provide additional input for how to improve student systems," he said.

After meeting with Kenney later this week, Castillo-Robson said she plans on meeting early next week with the staff at the Office of Student Life so she can be brought up to speed on the leading issues on campus, which include handling the gradual lift of the campus alcohol moratorium.

Castillo-Robson will serve as dean of students until a replacement is selected in early January, she said.

"I'm a student at this point but I hope to learn quickly," she said.

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