We are pleased to announce that professor Kimberly Lau, provost of College Nine and John R. Lewis College, has been awarded the Carol Freeman Award for Leadership in the Academic Senate. This honor is a testament to her extensive service record and exceptional contributions to academic leadership and collaborative governance at UC Santa Cruz.
Reflecting on this recognition, Lau said, “The Carol Freeman Award is especially meaningful to me because it recognizes collaborative work that I've been able to undertake together with Senate colleagues and staff from so many areas of campus. Participating in shared governance, working with others on new programs, and being part of a collective effort to push UC Santa Cruz to continue its tradition of excellence has been some of the most significant work of my career.”
Lau, who has served as the interim provost for College Nine and John R. Lewis College during the 2023-2024 academic year before her official three-year appointment, has been recognized for her dedication to enhancing student success and engineering a sea change in the culture of university service at UC Santa Cruz.
Richard Hughey, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education and global engagement, also highlighted the significance of this award, drawing parallels between Carol Freeman’s legacy and Kim Lau’s contributions. Carol Freeman was the founding chair of the Writing Program, the seventh Cowell College Provost, and a multi-term chair of the Committee on Educational Policy (CEP). She was instrumental in integrating the college and writing curriculum to comprehensively consider the first-year education of students. Carol applied her collaborative spirit and incisive intellect to various roles, always prioritizing the best outcomes for students through clearly-reasoned policies and processes.
“Kim Lau is an exceptional choice for this honor, with many parallels to Carol's own path," said Hughey. "As the ninth Oakes College Provost, Kim developed new innovations in support of Oakes College students, particularly first-generation college students. She has served in several campus and systemwide Senate roles with great distinction. I am exceptionally glad that Kim is now serving as the Provost of College Nine and John R. Lewis College, lending her commitment to students, to colleges, and to getting things done once again to the foundation of our student experience and development of living and learning communities.”
Lau’s leadership has made a significant impact on the colleges. She has sustained and expanded various programs, including the Slug Stories program and new initiatives in collaboration with the Institute for Social Transformation. Additionally, her work as co-chair of the Beyond Compliance Working Group led to a proposal and secured funding for a three-year campaign aimed at changing the campus culture around sexual violence and harassment. As co-chair of the 2040 Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) Planning Committee, she prioritized social justice and facilitated collaborations with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band.
Her focus on fostering a meaningful educational experience for all students aligns perfectly with the values celebrated by the Carol Freeman Award.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Kim Lau on this well-deserved honor and look forward to her continued contributions to the UC Santa Cruz community.
