President Robert N. Shelton has selected Jacqueline L. Mok, currently the vice provost for academic affairs at The University of Arizona, as the next vice president and chief of staff.

Her appointment, announced today, is subject to approval by the Arizona Board of Regents at its meeting next week.

"Jacqueline Mok is an extremely talented professional, and I am
thrilled to have her assume this new challenge," Shelton said. "Her
exceptional background and unique skills are an ideal fit for this
position, which will serve as one of my closest advisers."

In this role, Mok will be the University’s primary liaison with the Arizona Board of Regents and will serve as a senior adviser on Universitywide policy and programmatic matters.

She also will be a member of Shelton’s Cabinet, the president's P-20 Council and the president's Advisory Group.

"Having been a cultural and educational policy practitioner in the public and nonprofit sectors as well as in universities, I look forward to working with President Shelton and the University community to advance our great institution," Mok said. "There are exciting issues that the UA will face in the future. I am honored that President Shelton believes I can contribute to the next stage of the University’s development."

Mok succeeds Edith Auslander, who announced in January her intention to retire as of June 30.

In her current position, Mok is the lead administrator for academic affairs on behalf of the executive vice president and provost.

Mok joined the Office of the Provost in 2004, after having served as assistant dean and associate dean in the College of Fine Arts. Prior to joining the UA, Mok worked for six years at the University of Washington as a program developer of continuing education programs in the arts.

She also served for five and a half years as a cultural attaché, with international postings as a member of the United States diplomatic corps in Paris; Lagos, Nigeria; and Colombo, Sri Lanka. Mok has been the education director for Seattle Opera, an arts education consultant for the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in New York City and a music education specialist in New York and Texas schools.

Mok received her bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College in Vermont. She earned her master’s degree in music education from the University of North Texas and her doctorate in arts education from New York University. She also has participated in the HERS/Bryn Mawr Institute for Women in Higher Education Administration and the Management Development Program at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.