SAN MARCOS ---- Cal State San Marcos announced the appointment of political science professor Vicki Golich as the dean of the university's largest college, the College of Arts and Sciences, on Tuesday.

Golich, who has served as interim dean since August when Spencer McWilliams resigned from the position, has taught at Cal State San Marcos since 1992. She said she was extremely excited about the position, particularly since serving as interim dean gave her the chance to see the difference she could make in the college and the practices she could maintain.

"I want to continue the tradition of hiring really high quality faculty that are dedicated to education," said Golich, who lives in Fallbrook. "One of the things I do is review files for promotions and tenure and it's so exciting to read about the kind of things professors are doing to engage students in learning and the kind of research they are involved in and their contributions to the community."

Golich has already made an impact on the university. In 1994 she founded the university's Faculty Center for Professional Development and from 2001 to 2003 she served as chairwoman for the Department of Political Science. She has also served as chairwoman of the Academic Senate Budget and Long-Range Planning Committee and she directed the North County Higher Education Alliance Board.

Golich has a Ph.D. in international relations from the University of Southern California.

University Provost Robert Sheath, who ultimately made the decision after consulting with university President Karen S. Haynes, said Golich's previous experience, combined with the outstanding feedback he received from groups that met with the three final candidates, helped influence his decision.

"She has a warmth and an ability to work with a wide variety of people," Sheath said. "In a collegial environment, you need to get feedback and buy-in when making decisions. I think she will work well in that environment and that's really important."

Though Golich has taught at several other universities, including Penn State, Cal State Fullerton, USC and the University of Colorado at Denver, she said that she has never felt as comfortable as she does at Cal State San Marcos, making her appointment all the more meaningful.

"I love this campus," she said. "When I first came here I felt like a round peg in a round hole and I had spent time as a round peg in a square hole and that doesn't feel very good. There is an emphasis on teaching here and the students are much more highly motivated."

Golich's new role comes at a critical time for the College of Arts and Sciences. As the largest of the university's three colleges, with 70 percent of the students enrolled in its courses, many of the university's new programs will be within the college, including biochemistry, biotechnology, computer information systems, mass media and environmental studies.

Golich said she is ready to help the college grow in the right direction.

"The college is on solid ground for planning in the future," she said. "Despite the budget cuts, I have spent the past year talking about the perverse silver lining in my mind. We have been able to stop and take a breath since we have not been hiring. We have been able to think strategically about what these new programs mean and put together the principals to make the best decisions."

Despite her obvious enthusiasm, Golich said she really never intended to serve as dean. She said she will miss being in the classroom and teaching students.

"Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, I might have thought about (serving as dean)," Golich said with a laugh. "But I really enjoyed being a faculty member and I have already missed teaching. That's something I am going to have to learn to deal with."