Posted by Philip Poole on 2012-08-17

Sarah C. Latham, Samford University's vice president for operations and planning, has resigned to accept a position as vice chancellor for business and administrative services for the University of California at Santa Cruz effective Sept. 10.

Latham, a California native, came to Samford in 2002 as director of institutional effectiveness and administrative faculty in political science, where she has continued to teach regularly. She became executive assistant to the president in 2006 and was named vice president in 2008. Latham also had served as a member of the 2006 presidential search committee that recommended current Samford President Andrew Westmoreland. She also coordinated a multi-year strategic planning process for the university that was approved by the board of trustees in 2009 for immediate implementation.

"The decade I spent at Samford has been the most rewarding time of my life," Latham said. "I will miss this amazing community of friends who are so passionate about the Samford mission.  I am proud of the work we have done and I know that Samford will continue on its incredible upward trajectory."

As vice president of a new organizational unit, Latham led strategic planning, institutional research, facilities, venue management, residence life, public safety, emergency management and other key administrative areas. Under her leadership, several major capital projects have been completed or are in process and renovations and refurbishing has occurred in many residence facilities. Latham also led a process that streamlined calendar planning and facilities management.

"I am grateful for Dr. Latham's considerable service to those of us at Samford, and I am glad to celebrate new opportunities that will expand her influence in higher education," Westmoreland said. "When I asked her to take on additional responsibilities in administration, I made it clear that I would support her advancement in the field as opportunities presented themselves. I am convinced that this is the right opportunity for her, and all of us at Samford offer our congratulations to this valued friend and colleague as she begins the next chapter of her life and career."

Westmoreland said he would oversee operations and planning for the short-term while working with staff and others on campus to determine long-term needs.

 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.