UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Wayne Smutz, executive director of the Penn State World Campus and associate vice president for Academic Outreach, has been named dean of Continuing Education and Extension at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), pending approval of the UC Regents.
A California native, Smutz will be returning to his West Coast roots to lead the expansion of UCLA’s blended and online learning programs across Southern California. Reporting to the executive vice chancellor and provost, Smutz’s appointment is effective Oct. 15.
"Wayne Smutz has served Penn State with distinction for more than 30 years," said Craig Weidemann, vice president for Penn State Outreach. “During his tenure, the World Campus has continued to experience incredible growth. He has played an instrumental role in helping to provide adult learners with the opportunity to pursue their educational goals. We wish him the very best in his new position with UCLA.”
With Smutz's departure, Weidemann has appointed a World Campus Executive Team responsible for oversight of all facets of the World Campus to sustain momentum toward the significant goal of 45,000 students. Weidemann will oversee this team.
In his role at Penn State, Smutz has overseen the delivery of credit-based programs for adult learners online through the World Campus and through Continuing Education courses. He was also responsible for the learner-centric approach developed by the World Campus and its focus on fostering student success.
He has been at Penn State and in the continuing education field for more than three decades, serving in roles related to credit and noncredit program development, conferencing, marketing and e-learning.
"Penn State has provided me with incredible opportunities to address educational and societal issues, opportunities you wouldn’t necessarily get elsewhere," said Smutz. "They didn’t happen on their own. They happened because there are many really great people who are dedicated to Penn State and its mission."
Smutz holds a doctorate in higher education and an master of arts degree in political science from Penn State. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley.