College of Science Staff
Pierre V. Sokolsky
Pierre V. Sokolsky was named dean of the College of Science effective July 1, 2007. Sokolsky joined the University of Utah physics faculty in 1981 and was promoted to full professor in 1988. He served as the physics department chairman from August 2003 to July 2007.
Sokolsky is a world-renowned expert in ultrahigh-energy particle physics, including gamma rays, cosmic rays and neutrinos. He is a member of the American Physical Society and the International Society of Optical Engineering. In 1999, he was awarded the University of Utah Distinguished Research Award and, in 2002, was named a Guggenheim Foundation Fellow.
He has written several textbooks and book chapters and has published more than 200 papers, including 58 research articles in peer-reviewed journals.
E-mail: sokolsky@science.utah.edu
Peter C. Trombi
Peter C. Trombi, professor of mathematics, became the College of Science Associate Dean for Student Affairs on July 1, 2004.
Trombi began his career at the U. of U. in 1976 specializing in mathematical group representation. He has worked as the math department director of graduate studies since 1992 and has served on numerous university level committees. He is particularly well-versed in student issues.
When not busy with university duties, Peter enjoys hiking, gardening, and reading.
E-mail: trombi@science.utah.edu
brian t. saam
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Brian Saam, associate professor of physics, became the College of Science Associate Dean for Advancement on July 1, 2008. This position is unprecedented, and reflects the new focus on alumni relations and development in the college.
Saam will be responsible for establishing a College of Science Alumni Association, and for coordinating efforts with the University of Utah capital campaign that will kick-off the public phase in October 2008!
Glenda L. (Wise) Woods
Glenda L. (Wise) Woods began working at the University of Utah in 1970, and has held positions in Long Range Planning (1970-1971), Dean of Students/Office of Student Affairs (1971-1973), Department of Physics (1981-1984), and finally, the College of Science Dean's Office (1987-present), accruing over 27 years of experience at the U. Glenda serves as the Administrative Manager to the Dean, and in 1995 received the prestigious Presidential Staff Award for Outstanding Service to the University, which at that time was awarded to only four University of Utah employees each year. Glenda is responsible for the management of the College of Science Dean's Office; specifically, in hiring, training and supervising office support staff; scheduling and coordinating office assignments, events and deadlines; involvement in college council policy and procedures, development and outreach activities; responsible for budgeting, purchasing and accounting decisions; and serving as the college liaison between the university's central administration and the college's four departments -- Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
E-mail: woods@science.utah.edu
Jeffrey D. Driggs
Jeffrey D. Driggs has been working for the University of Utah development operation since 2001, as director of annual giving and a regional major gifts director in the university's Central Development Office. He became director of development for the College of Science in July 2006. Prior to coming to the U he worked in development communications for the LDS Foundation for 17 years. Jeff's responsibility in the College of Science is to serve alumni and donors in helping them fulfill their charitable desires. He is responsible for directing our capital campaign efforts to raise funds for the college's priorities: scholarships, faculty chairs and professorships, and program and building needs for the college and the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
For development information, please email Jeff at driggs@science.utah.edu
Lisa Batchelder
Lisa Batchelder joined the Deans Office in November 2006 as the administrative program coordinator. Lisa manages the various scholarship programs in the college, including the ACCESS Scholarhsip program, and works closely with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
Lisa and her husband, Guy, have two children, Jaime and Gage. They enjoy the outdoors and their numerous pets.
E-mail: batchelder@science.utah.edu
Angela Brown
Angela Brown is the Senior Accountant for the College of Science. She researches, interprets, and creates reports on all dean's office and college-wide accounts, and assists the administrative manager with preparing and transferring the college's budget accounts.
Angela earned a B.S. degree in accounting at the U, class of '89. She was hired in the College of Science in November 2004.
Angela is an avid scuba diver and an assistant scuba instructor. She enjoys traveling and scuba diving at locations all over the world. She also loves wildlife and all animals and currently shares her life with her favorite cat, "Biscuit."
E-mail: abrown@science.utah.edu
James DeGooyer
James DeGooyer is the Public Relations Specialist for the College of Science. He organizes the College's public outreach programs such as Frontiers of Science and Science at Breakfast, creates promotional materials, maintains college web pages and publishes research magazines.
Jim is a U of U alum with a BFA, class of '95. He enjoys hiking and biking the outdoors of Utah. He and his wife, Monica, have two sons: Zachary, 17, and Ethan, 5.
E-mail: jdegooyer@science.utah.edu
Shelly DeWitt
Shelly DeWitt is the Administrative Assistant for the College of Science Dean's Office. She recently was awarded the University of Utah Staff Excellence Award for 2008. Shelly currently coordinates the MSSST Program and works closely with the Statewide Science and Mathematics Enterprise Committee. Shelly is a U. alum with a BS in Psychology and Gender Studies, class of 2008.
Shelly enjoys reading, scrapbooking, volunteering in her community and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Russ Prague, have three daughters: Nevin, 15, Zoe, 13, and Shera, 7.
E-mail: dewitt@science.utah.edu
Kim Nmezi
Kim Nmezi is the newest addition to our office; she joined our team as the office
assistant in August of 2009. She currently attends the university as an
accounting major and anticipates graduation in 2011.
She and her husband Brian married in October 2008 and live in Taylorsville. Kim spends much of her time playing the bagpipes and traveling with the Wasatch and District Pipe Band.
Kathy CummINgs
Kathy Cummings is the Development/Public Relations Assistant. She joined the College of Science staff in March 2008.
She has a home-based business, Postcards-as-art, which provides reproductions of antique postcards and images in the form of Ceramic Tiles, Note Cards, and Magnets to Historical Societies and Gift Shops. She enjoys history, reading and travel.
E-mail: cummings@science.utah.edu