Interim Dean Appointment, College of Science

Sent: May 19, 2026

From: Vincent J. Del Casino, Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dear Colleagues,

I want to thank everyone who made nominations for the Interim Dean in the college. I had some fantastic conversations with amazing colleagues and appreciated the opportunity to connect with many of the leaders in the College. I am pleased to announce that I have asked Dr. Shelley Cargill to step into the role beginning in July as Dean Kaufman steps back into his role as a faculty member. I have enjoyed working with Dr. Cargill over the last seven years and most recently in her capacity as both the Associate Dean of the College as well as the Interim Associate Vice Provost for Student Success. Dr. Cargill is well suited for the interim role and I am excited to work with her as we continue to move the College of Science forward over the next year. 

As background, Dr. Cargill joined SJSU as a temporary faculty member in 2003, teaching physiology courses in the Biology Department. In 2009, she was hired into a tenure track line as assistant professor specializing in Physiology where she led an active research lab in reproductive physiology, specializing in how ovarian impact influences aging. Dr. Cargill rose through the ranks and became the Biology Department Chair in January 2019, a position she held until she became the Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Student Success in the College of Science in July 2021. As Associate Dean, she has played an active role in college leadership, collaborating within the college with chairs, faculty, and staff to ensure that programs are delivering on our promises to support students. She collaborates across campus on committees and individually advocating for and representing the college at all levels of the institution. Dr. Cargill has also made deep connections with the wider San José community during her time at SJSU and she will continue to represent the college well in that community over the next year as we continue to elevate the presence of SJSU in Silicon Valley and beyond.

As we move into the summer, I want to thank everyone in the College of Science for their amazing contributions to the success of our students, campus, and community. We will launch a national search for a permanent dean in the fall. A call for nominations for faculty, staff, student, and community representation will go out early in the semester with the hope of launching the search in September. 

I want to thank Dr. Cargill for taking on this interim role during a period of transition. 

Sincerely,

Vincent J. Del Casino, Jr.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs