The University of Washington’s provost, Ana Mari Cauce, was named interim president this afternoon by the UW Board of Regents, succeeding Michael Young, who is leaving to become president of Texas A&M University. The appointment is effective March 2.
“At a time when the university is thriving but also faces pressures regarding the role and funding of higher education, we believe Ana Mari Cauce is the perfect choice to lead the University forward,” said Bill Ayer, chairman of the Board of Regents, in a statement announcing the news.
A native of Cuba who grew up in Miami, Cauce received her Ph.D. in psychology from Yale University, and has served as the UW’s chief academic officer for the past three years.
Young was known for promoting commercialization, giving technologies developed inside the university a life off campus, and encouraging a more entrepreneurial mindset on campus. Seattle-area technology leader have said they don’t expect Young’s departure to slow those efforts.
The UW regents said previously that an an interim president would be named before conducting a search for the next permanent UW president.
