SMC Appoints Lorenz New VP Of Academic Affairs

Santa Monica College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Georgia L. Lorenz as Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Lorenz steps into the position on July 1 to replace Jeff Shimizu, who is retiring after more than 20 years in leadership roles at SMC.

"Dr. Lorenz has an impressive grasp of strategic planning," said SMC Superintendent/President Chui L. Tsang. "Her efforts to maximize student access during our major budget crisis – and to integrate Global Citizenship into our classes and culture – have made Santa Monica College more effective at helping our students succeed in a rapidly changing world."

Dr. Lorenz started at SMC in 2005 as Director of Instructional Services. She was named Associate Dean of Instructional Services in 2006, and has been SMC's Dean of Instructional Services since 2008.

As Dean of Instructional Services, Dr. Lorenz has been responsible for developing and managing SMC's annual academic plan of more than 7,100 classes, with approximately one in eight delivered online. She has worked to develop and launch new academic programs, including baccalaureate partnerships and emerging interdisciplinary programs, and helped develop Career Technical Education programs in response to workforce needs. She has also helped establish entrepreneurial partnerships that create new opportunities for international education. All 23 of SMC's academic departments and chairs report to Dr. Lorenz on matters related to instruction, ranging from curriculum and program development to faculty hiring and evaluation.

Dr. Lorenz currently serves as a member of the board for First Place for Youth, an organization dedicated to helping foster youth build the skills they need to make a successful transition to self-sufficiency and responsible adulthood.

Dr. Lorenz earned a PhD in Educational Policy, Planning and Administration at USC, where she received the Delta Epsilon Dissertation Award of Merit. She holds a Master of Science in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University.