Leadership

Kristin G. Esterberg

Chancellor Kristin G. Esterberg

Kristin G. Esterberg, Ph.D., joined UW Bothell on October 1, 2021, to serve as the University’s fourth chancellor. Prior to joining UW Bothell, she was president of the State University of New York at Potsdam. Earlier in her career, she was provost and academic vice president at Salem State University in Massachusetts and deputy provost at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Chancellor Esterberg’s research has centered on gender and sexuality, social identities, research methodology, and social organization and change.

Go to the Office of the Chancellor website to learn more.

Chancellor’s Executive Team

Rebecca Ehrlichman Blume

Rebecca Ehrlichman Blume

Vice Chancellor for Advancement

Rebecca Ehrlichman Blume joined UW Bothell as vice chancellor for UW Bothell Advancement in April 2022. She was previously assistant dean for Mission Advancement & Engagement at the UW’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance for more than seven years. There, she oversaw the school’s community engagement, marketing and communications, fund development and strategic partnerships. A UW alumna, Blume received her master’s in public administration from the school in 2010.

Jessica Graham

Jessica Graham

Chief of Staff

Jessica Graham joined UW Bothell as chief of staff in the Office of the Chancellor in March 2023. Her higher education experience includes roles as director of the Office of the Secretary and chief of staff to the general counsel at New York University and as deputy chief of staff to the president at the Institute of International Education, a global not-for-profit. Graham received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and her master’s degree in nonprofit management from The New School in New York City.

Scott James

Scott R. James, Ed.D.

Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs

Scott James became vice chancellor for Enrollment Management (including Undergraduate Admissions) and Student Affairs in June 2021. He holds a master of education in administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University and a doctorate in higher education leadership and policy from Vanderbilt University. Before joining UW Bothell, James served in high-level leadership roles at Salem State University, Harvard University, New Jersey City University and other higher education institutions.

Sharon A. Jones

Sharon A. Jones, Ph.D.

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Sharon A. Jones was named vice chancellor for Academic Affairs in April 2019. She was previously the dean of the University of Portland’s Shiley School of Engineering. Jones is the chief academic officer on campus, overseeing UW Bothell’s five schools. Jones has worked as a professional engineer and holds a doctorate in engineering and public policy.

Mary Mahon

Mary Mahon

Executive Assistant to the Chancellor

As executive assistant to the chancellor at UW Bothell, Mary leads the administrative staff of the Office of the Chancellor and contributes to the development and implementation of campus-wide strategic and operational goals. Prior to starting her role at UW Bothell in 2019, Mahon spent 12 years at UW’s Seattle campus in classified and professional staff roles for Transportation Services, Facilities Services and Finance. Before coming to the UW, she worked in various management and administrative positions in real estate and finance. 

Gowri Shankar

Gowri Shankar, Ph.D.

Vice Chancellor for Planning & Administration

Gowri Shankar was named vice chancellor for Planning & Administration in April 2021, after serving as interim for more than a year. He provides leadership in key areas related to administrative, financial, facilities and human resource operations. Shankar is a recipient of the UW Distinguished Teaching Award and has served as the chair of the UW Faculty Organization. He holds degrees in Accounting and Finance.

Caroline Titan

Caroline S. Titan, Ph.D.

Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Campus Diversity Officer

Caroline S. Titan, vice chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, joined UW Bothell in July 2021. She has focused her professional career on creating working and learning spaces where equity and community restoration are integral to institutional success. Titan’s approach to DEI draws from multi-disciplinary experiences in education policy research, K-12 education systems, legislative analysis and nonprofit organizational development. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan and from the University of Maryland.

University leadership

UW Bothell academic administration

UW Bothell leadership groups