Division of Continuing and Professional Education Dean Paul McNeil has announced his retirement from university service effective July 1, to care for his aging parents on the east coast.

McNeil arrived in Davis in December of 2014 from the Columbia School of Continuing Education, where he had served as senior vice dean.

“Paul brought many new ideas to UC Davis and effected a number of structural and organizational realignments within the division,” said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Ralph J. Hexter. “While I regret the suddenness of his departure, I completely understand that aging parents require sustained support. I wish Paul all the best.”

Hexter cited McNeil’s leadership in renaming the division from its previous title of University Extension to Continuing and Professional Education to better reflect and communicate the division’s mission. In addition, CPE’s partnership with Coursera for delivering online programs has been a boon for both traditional and continuing students.

Chancellor Gary S. May has appointed Senior Associate Dean Susan D. Catron to provide interim leadership to the division. In her current role, Catron leads academic strategic planning, oversees the division’s professional education portfolio, and directs an innovation incubator responsible for identifying, assessing and nurturing new program initiatives. She leads a team of 100 academic and professional staff across three academic centers, and focuses on creating synergies across multidisciplinary teams. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from UC Davis, and a master’s degree in public policy from California State University, Sacramento.

Hexter will launch a national search for a permanent dean in the 2018-19 academic year.