IRVINE : UCI Names Woman Vice Chancellor

Kathleen T. Jones has been named UC Irvine’s vice chancellor for university advancement, becoming the first woman to hold a vice chancellor’s job at the campus, Chancellor Jack W. Peltason announced Tuesday.

Jones, 49, an elected trustee of the Laguna Beach Unified School District, is currently UCI’s assistant vice chancellor for advancement, the top deputy to the campus’ chief fund-raising and community relations officer. UCI has five vice chancellors and an executive vice chancellor.

Jones, who began her UCI career as a graphic artist in 1968, will succeed Vice Chancellor John Miltner on July 1, pending approval by the University of California Board of Regents. If her appointment is confirmed, Jones will also be the first woman in the nine-campus UC system to head a university advancement office. Miltner takes over as president of Millikin University in Decatur, Ill., on July 1.

“I’m delighted with the opportunity,” Jones said. “I’m looking forward to working with friends and colleagues on the campus, and friends and supporters in the community. I’m very optimistic about what we can do together.”

As vice chancellor, Jones will oversee private fund-raising for the campus, as well as university advancement and development, communications and alumni affairs. Private support is considered critical for the survival of even publicly supported universities. Last year, UCI raised $27.3 million in private funds for scholarships, fellowships and particular programs on the campus.

“Not only is Kathy Jones superbly qualified for this position, she has gained her qualifications as a member of the UCI family for two decades,” Peltason said in announcing the long-expected appointment. “She has risen to a position of respect throughout the country and in the advancement profession nationwide. UCI could have no finer representative for its advancement efforts.”

Jones, who has a bachelor’s degree in French, attributed her rise through the university ranks to her desire to “solve problems.” She said that as a graphic artist, she went from making drawings and poster layouts for university publications to involving herself in content questions. She eventually headed the publications division and subsequently the communications office.

“I’ve been just so fortunate, so really lucky in my career at UCI to be a part of the growth of the university,” she said.

Jones lives in Laguna Beach with her husband, Michael, and teen-age daughters Meg and Hallie. “They’re very pleased. They have really cheered me on,” she said.