Indiana University East’s sixth chancellor began her first days on campus listening to students, faculty, staff and those in the community to develop a shared vision for the university. Chancellor Kathryn Cruz-Uribe officially started in her position Monday, July 1.

Cruz-Uribe said the trajectory of the campus’ enrollment growth – and IU East’s courageous innovative thinking – is what attracted her to the campus. It is her goal to keep that trajectory moving forward as well as focus on student success and to develop a plan that will keep IU East ahead of the changes coming in higher education.

Since 2007, IU East has seen unprecedented growth in its enrollment and experienced an 85 percent increase in the number of students enrolled in its more than 50 academic bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

“IU East is at the forefront in terms of higher education’s broader issues, and we will continue to innovate and do everything we can to continue to increase student success.  I’m very excited to get to know the campus and community and develop a vision together.”

Before joining IU East, Cruz-Uribe was at California State University Monterey Bay, since 2007. She led all aspects of the academic operations of the university and served as its second-in-command. Before that she was at Northern Arizona University from 1989 to 2007, serving four years as dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Cruz-Uribe said IU East and CSU Monterey Bay share numerous similarities including the focus both universities place on students and the emphasis on good teaching and learning. Both IU East and CSU Monterey Bay have about the same number of students enrolled, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college, and both campuses value and foster close community connections.

“As such, universities like IU East make a tremendous difference in the lives of their students,” Cruz-Uribe said. “I will enjoy meeting students, faculty, staff and community members and learning about their lives, their hopes and dreams and their accomplishments.”

Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Larry Richards served as the interim chancellor for the past year from June 2012 to July 2013. Richards, whose academic background is in engineering, business management and operations research, has served as vice chancellor and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at IU East since 2004. He returns to the position today to serve as IU East’s chief academic officer.

The campus will host a welcome reception for Cruz-Uribe on Wednesday, July 17, at 4:30 p.m. on the Whitewater Hall patio that will be open to the public.  A chancellor installation ceremony will take place later in the fall semester.