Associate Chancellor Karl Engelbach, chief of staff to Chancellor Gary S. May, sent this letter to the Council of Deans and Vice Chancellors today (Oct. 16):

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Dear CODVC Colleagues,

After 30 years of service to UC Davis, Marj Dickinson, assistant chancellor for Government and Community Relations, has decided to retire at the end of December. As the founding leader of the campus's Government and Community Relations program, Marj has served our campus with passion, intelligence and integrity. We will miss her wise and strategic counsel while we celebrate her service and well-earned retirement.

Throughout her tenure, Marj has established enduring, credible and effective relationships with local, state and federal elected officials and community opinion-leaders throughout the region. She has increased their awareness, understanding and support for UC Davis. She has recruited, supported and empowered staff who bring sophisticated, strategic and diverse experiences, relationships and perspectives to the university.

Mabel Salon, currently director of community relations and local government relations, has graciously agreed to provide interim leadership to the Government and Community Relations team as we review the longer-term organizational structure for these functions and activities at both the Davis campus and Sacramento campus.

I have been fortunate to share a professional journey with Marj that predates our time at UC Davis. I thank Marj for her remarkable dedication to UC Davis, where she is recognized as a leader among her UC and higher education peers.

Later this year, we will celebrate Marj’s many contributions to UC Davis, the Sacramento region and to higher education. Please join me in thanking Marj for the numerous contributions she has made to UC Davis.

Sincerely,

Karl M. Engelbach
Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff