Provost Welcome
Meet Our Provost
Kimberly J. Lau
Provost of John R. Lewis College and College Nine
There are four major components to the academic mission at College Nine— advising, classroom learning, encouraging academic excellence, and monitoring academic standing. The College Provost is a faculty member who isin charge of supervising these four components. At College Nine, our provost is Professor of Literature, Kimberly J. Lau.
About the Provost
Professor Kimberly Lau, from the Department of Literature, serves as Provost of College Nine and John R. Lewis College. She has held the role since 2023, after first serving as interim provost, and brings a wealth of experience in campus leadership and undergraduate education.
Provost Lau previously served as Provost of Oakes College (2008–2014), chaired the UC Santa Cruz Academic Senate, and was Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs in the Humanities Division. Her research and teaching explore fairy tales, race, feminism, and women’s health activism.
At College Nine and John R. Lewis College, Provost Lau is especially inspired by the colleges’ themes of international and global perspectives and social justice and community. She has helped sustain and expand signature programs while also developing new initiatives, from broadening student storytelling projects to creating collaborations with the Institute for Social Transformation and the Global and Community Health Program.
Lau is committed to building on the colleges’ strong foundation and working with students, staff, and faculty to create meaningful academic and co-curricular experiences that prepare students
College Nine’s theme of International and Global Perspectives emphasizes the importance of both diversity and unity in understanding individuals and societies. Students interested in these issues, either as their major focus or as part of their general education, are encouraged to join the College Nine community.
– Campbell Leaper, College Nine Founding Provost