Provost's Welcome
Provost K. Wayne Yang
Wayne has been the Provost of John Muir College since 2018. He is a champion of climate action education, a member of the Indigenous Futures Institute, and a seeker of JEDI knights. He likes to chat with students over coffee at MOM's Café, catch waves with beginner surfers at La Jolla Shores, and mess up the line dances at Muir College's signature events such as Dia de Los Muertos, Night in NOLA, and API+You.
Fun fact: He publishes under the pen name, la paperson!
A Greeting from Provost K. Wayne Yang
I would like to welcome all to John Muir College. Inspired by the life and work of John Muir, environmentalist pioneer and founder of the Sierra Club, our college community values sustainability, diversity, and environmental justice.
Our motto is “Celebrating the Independent Spirit,” we offer students from every major maximum freedom to choose courses that meet individual goals and interests within a framework that insures breadth and depth of knowledge across three major disciplinary areas. These requirements combine individual choice and responsibility. Our college encourages experiential learning programs such as education abroad, UC-DC, and our College Academic Mentor Program. Muir College is also home of the Environmental Studies minor.
John Muir College is a special place that is known for its welcoming, supportive community. Our students are involved in a host of organizations and activities; Muir students are recognized and respected for their individuality, fostering their Independent Spirit.
At the Provost’s Office, we are dedicated to the student experience. Our professional and caring advising and student affairs staff is ready to help guide your independent spirit and channel it into a successful and fulfilling educational journey.
K. Wayne Yang
Provost, Muir College
What is a provost?
At UC San Diego, the Provost serves as both the academic and administrative leader of his or her college. One provost compared the role to that of a mayor of a small town—and the analogy is apt. As the college’s head, the Provost:
- Manages the college’s educational and business affairs and serves as supervisor of the college’s staff
- Develops college curriculum, in consultation with college faculty
- Oversees the programs and activities of college life
- Acts as the college’s representative with alumni, parents, and families
- Serves on several campus-wide committees
The provost also remains a tenured member of the university’s faculty and continues to engage in scholarly research and teaching.
College Discretionary Statements
Muir College leadership occasionally issue discretionary statements about current events that impact our students, staff, faculty, and broader community. The nature of these statements are to express care and provide resources for support for our student community, rather than necessarily support particular causes.
Nonetheless, because expressions of care will likely touch on the impact of political issues, we are developing internal processes on how to make such statements, consistent with Regents Policy 4408: Policy on Public and Discretionary Statements by Academic Units.
College Leadership Discretionary Statements. These statements are issued and signed by senior staff which includes the Deans, Associate Deans, Directors, and Provost. Such statements require unanimity and consensus in the crafting/wording of the statement. This means that the college leadership does not simply re-issue other statements.
Version: 10-2-2024 approved by senior staff (by consensus)
Student Statements - Different policies govern student statements. Generally, the College does not publish nor promote student statements, but we may reference them in appropriate informational links when needed. Referencing student statements does not imply endorsement.
For more information:
Regents Policy 4408: Policy on Public and Discretionary Statements by Academic Units
