We’re excited to announce that Dr. Deepa Rao will be joining the Office of Academic Personnel at the University of Washington as the Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Development, effective October 1, 2024. This appointment follows a successful search that attracted faculty applicants from across UW’s tri-campus system.
As Associate Vice Provost of Faculty Development, Dr. Rao will oversee and support faculty affairs processes, leading key initiatives such as faculty development programming, mentorship, leadership training, and promotion and tenure reviews. Her responsibilities will also include expanded tenure workshops, faculty awards and recognition, department chair training, policy governance, and faculty code analysis across all three UW campuses. Dr. Rao will continue to hold her faculty appointment in the Department of Global Health.
With an impressive background, Dr. Rao serves as a Professor in UW’s Department of Global Health, co-appointed in the School of Medicine and the School of Public Health. As a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, she has led several large-scale, NIH- and CDC-funded projects focused on mental health services and stigma-reduction interventions globally. Her current roles include directing the MPH program and teaching courses like Rethinking Global Health and Global Mental Health. Dr. Rao is also Vice Dean for Faculty in the School of Public Health, where she developed a comprehensive faculty development program and helped revise the faculty handbook to incorporate community-engaged and antiracist approaches to scholarship, research, and service.
Dr. Rao’s career spans over 15 years at UW, during which she has been a strong advocate for students, staff, and faculty. As the inaugural chair of the Faculty Affairs Advisory Committee (FAAC), she has played a pivotal role in representing the School of Public Health on the FAAC and shaping policies to support a more inclusive academic community. Drawing inspiration from Paulo Freire, she is deeply committed to de-centering privilege and fostering multidirectional learning in her work.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the search committee—Leesa Hall, Shelley Kostrinsky, Trish Kritek, Maya Smith, and Marjorie Olmstead (Chair)—for their dedicated efforts in ensuring a successful search.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Rao to Academic Personnel as she steps into this vital role. We look forward to the exciting contributions she will bring to the University of Washington.