James Soto Antony Appointed UC San Diego Graduate Division Dean

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James Soto Antony has been appointed dean of the Graduate Division at the University of California San Diego, effective September 1, 2019. A University of California alumnus, Antony currently serves on the faculty of the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University, and is director of Harvard’s Higher Education Program. At UC San Diego, Antony will also hold a tenured faculty appointment in the Department of Education Studies.

“Dr. Antony’s research and teaching—which focus on educational innovation and the preparation of forward-thinking leaders—aligns well with UC San Diego’s mission,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “With more than 20 years of leadership experience in both public and private higher education settings, his strategic, creative and inclusive approach to higher education and the graduate experience will serve not only our Graduate Division but also the greater campus community.”

Antony holds both a doctorate and masters in Higher Education and Organizational Change as well as a baccalaureate degree in psychology, all from UCLA. Antony said he is excited to join UC San Diego, a world-leader in graduate education across all of its departments and programs.

He added, “Returning to the University of California system—the system that educated me, and that opened up a world of opportunity to me—is also personally exciting. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues to ensure that the UC continues to transform students' lives, the way it transformed mine.”

At Harvard, Antony also co-directs the university’s Management Development Program, which provides higher education leaders with the tools and insight to think more strategically, balance competing demands, and engage in dynamic leadership.

Prior to Harvard, Antony served as associate provost for Yale University, where he was involved with issues ranging from faculty development and diversity, to undergraduate leadership development. His experience also includes serving as a faculty member and associate dean of the Graduate School at the University of Washington where he led the creation of several graduate programs.

“UC San Diego’s Graduate Division plays a pivotal role in guiding today’s scholars on their upward trajectory to becoming tomorrow’s leaders,” said Elizabeth H. Simmons, executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “As dean of the division, James Antony will serve as a key member of the university's leadership team and promote high standards in research, education and governance, while championing and addressing the needs of our outstanding and diverse graduate student body.”

In addition to setting divisional goals in alignment with the university’s strategic plan, the role of dean of the Graduate Division also entails providing leadership to the academic divisions in the recruitment and retention of graduate students.

For more information about UC San Diego’s Graduate Division, go to this website.