Dear HSU Colleagues,

Dr. Rhea Williamson, who has served as HSU’s Dean of Research, Economic and Community Development since 2011, has informed me that she intends to retire from the university on July 6, 2016.

Rhea began her academic career in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at San Jose State University where she taught courses in environmental engineering including water and wastewater treatment, water chemistry and laboratory methods. After 17 years of teaching, which Rhea states, “is the best job in the entire world”, Rhea entered the world of administration as San Jose State's Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, then as CSU East Bay’s Associate Vice President of Research and Sponsored Programs, and finally at her destination campus, HSU, as Dean of Research, Economic and Community Development.

Rhea holds a B.Sc. from SJSU degree with a Marine Biology emphasis. Her undergraduate experiences working directly with faculty mentors (who remain dear friends to this day) and her research experiences at the Moss Landing Marine Laboratory were instrumental in developing her passion for supporting undergraduate research. Rhea earned a Ph.D. in 1987 from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley where she investigated the chemical and biological impacts of waste on water quality. While at Berkeley she received the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching award.

Rhea leaves HSU with a feeling of accomplishment. She attributes her successes to her team, a willing and patient faculty, support from the campus, an engaging local community, and being a member of a university that recognizes the important role research, scholarship and creative activities play on our campus. Please join me and wish Rhea the very best as she embarks on new and exciting adventures.

Sincerely,

Alex

Dr. Alex Enyedi

Provost & V.P. for Academic Affairs