Member Spotlight: Jim Brown
What is your Academic Federation job title?
Continuing Educator
What is your working job title (if different)?
Chair of Agriculture, Environmental and Life Sciences
Director of Fermentation Science
In which department/unit do you work?
I work in the Division of Continuing and Professional Education (CPE).
CPE partners with campus faculty, employers, and experts to develop programs targeted to career changers and the 60-year curriculum. We are entirely self-supporting, and at the same time we contribute extensively to campus activities and outreach. I get to be entrepreneurial: Create a program, find instructors, and market the program locally and internationally for a wide range of subject areas. I also teach professional, graduate, and undergraduate students in great programs such as Brewing.
What do you like most about your job?
I get to be very nimble and no day is like the one before. I get to choose areas I'm passionate about to pursue.
How long have you been in your current position?
12 years.
How long have you been at UC Davis?
I graduated from UC Davis with a B.Sc. in Fermentation Science and a Ph.D. in Microbiology in 2002. I started my current position in 2008.
In the past five years, have you had any role in Academic Federation events or activities?
I have attended chair orientations and the meet & greets.
In the past five years, have you served on any Academic Federation committees?
- Vice Chair and member - Academic Federation Executive Council
- Member - Academic Federation Committee on Committees
- Chair - James Meyer Distinguished Achievement Award
- Academic Federation Representative - Graduate Council
- Member - Distinguished Service Award Subcommittee
- Chair and member - Academic Federation Personnel Committee
- Member - Academic Federation Panel for Chancellor Search
Any other comments you would like to share?
I would like to encourage everyone that has not served on an Academic Federation committee to do so. It is extremely rewarding and engaging, and is expands your perspective in your important role as a member of the UC Davis community.