Muir College Faculty
The college system at UC San Diego was the visionary idea of the university's founding faculty, who wanted to give undergraduates something of the experience of a small liberal arts college while having the educational advantages of a large research university.
The Muir faculty established the college’s General Education and graduation requirements at its founding and makes changes to those requirements as necessary. In accordance with the College's by-laws, the faculty is represented by an elected six-member Faculty Executive Committee which advises the Provost, takes action on academic policies and other matters of concern to the faculty, and appoints other faculty committees as needed. Any changes to the by-laws are voted on by the entire faculty. The Writing Advisory Committee advises the Director of the Muir College Writing Program on matters relating to the College's writing requirement and participates in the hiring and review of MCWP professional staff.
Membership on College committees, including the Executive Committee and Writing Advisory Committee, counts as university service, necessary for promotion and merit advancement. Faculty also help out the College by discussing their research with students in the Freshman Honors Seminar and in many other ways. We are truly grateful to everyone who contributes to our efforts to make UC San Diego a stimulating and rewarding place for undergraduate students.
Provost Advisory Board - not elected members
Faculty Executive Committee
2026-2027
2021-2022
2020-2021
2019-2020
Academic Senate Representative Assembly
2025-2026
2021-2022
2020-2021
2019-2020
Muir College Faculty Ambassador Program
Join the Muir College Faculty Ambassador Program
John Muir College invites you to become a Faculty Ambassador, a role designed to bridge the gap between the academic heart of the University and the vibrant student life within our college. Muir is known for its "independent spirit," and our faculty are the cornerstone of that identity.
As a Faculty Ambassador, you provide students with the invaluable opportunity to see their professors as mentors and accessible members of the community. This program is designed to be high-impact for students while remaining low-stakes and flexible for your schedule.
Program Commitments
The Ambassador program consists of four core engagement points over the course of the academic year:
1. Orientation: The College System. Attend a brief orientation to the unique structure of the UC San Diego College System and the philosophy of John Muir College. Meet fellow faculty and see how the college staff supports students outside the classroom.
2. Student Engagement: "Dine with a Professor." Meaningful connections often happen outside the lecture hall. Meet once with a small group of students for a casual conversation at one of these Muir spaces:
- Lunch at the newly renovated Pines Dining Hall.
- Coffee at Middle of Muir (MOM’s) Café, the social heart of the college.
- Stop by for a relaxed, informal discussion during the Provost’s Salon Hours.
3. Celebrate Muir: Signature Events. Experience the "Muir Spirit" by attending one of our major annual traditions. These events are the highlight of the student experience, and faculty presence is deeply meaningful to our community. Options include:
- Cultural Celebrations: Dia de los Muertos, Festival of Black Joy, or You+AAPI.
- Academic Honors: The Caledonian Honors Society Induction.
- Commencement: Participating in the Muir College Commencement platform party.
4. Faculty Community & Discourse. Engage with your peers in a professional and social setting. Attend one college-sponsored faculty event, such as:
- Academic Senate Happy Hour or New Faculty Orientation.
- Symposia: Join discussions on timely topics like Artificial Intelligence, Civic Engagement, Academic Freedom, or Creating Communities of Care for our students.
Why Become an Ambassador?
Beyond fulfilling college service, this program allows you to influence the student experience directly. You help demystify the "Professor" persona, foster a sense of belonging, and gain a deeper pulse on the current student climate—all while enjoying the best coffee and food Muir has to offer.
Interested in joining? Please contact the Muir College Provost’s Office at Muirprov@ucsd.edu to sign up or to learn more about our upcoming orientation dates.
