Dr. Sunny Lee was announced as the interim vice chancellor for student affairs for a two-year term commencing June 1, 2026.
Sunny has served as the associate vice chancellor and dean of students since 2020; she previously served in that role on an interim basis. Her steady leadership has led to the reimagination of centers that support student engagement, expansion of student legal services, leadership development, collegiate recovery programs, and major events coordination. She provided critical leadership during some of the university's most challenging times, including the global pandemic. Her unflappable leadership and expertise in conflict resolution, crisis management, and student leadership development have been instrumental in creating and maintaining a healthy campus climate; her mindfulness and commitment to equity and inclusion have transformed both the administrative and student spheres; and her astute management skills have guided and enhanced operations for a large portfolio of departments.
Before serving as the dean of students, Sunny served as the associate dean of students as well as assistant ombudsperson for students & postdoctoral appointees. Prior to joining UC Berkeley, Sunny was director of the Office of Student Life and Cultural Centers at Cal Poly Pomona, where she led cultural centers, clubs/organizations, re-entry, leadership development, and first-year experience programs. Earlier in her career, she served as assistant director of UC Irvine’s Cross-Cultural Center and Pomona College’s Asian American Resource Center. She has also sailed with the Semester at Sea study abroad program on three voyages as a resident director, assistant executive dean, and dean of students, overseeing residential and student life, crisis response, voyager safety and security, student wellness, and student conduct.
Sunny earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Claremont Graduate University, her M.Ed. in College Student Personnel from the University of Maryland, and her B.A. in Criminology and Law from UC Irvine. She has taught Student Development Theory and Multicultural Practice in Student Services at UC Berkeley Extension as part of the Student Affairs & Higher Education certificate program. She has also written and published on college student and racial identity development as well as women and leadership issues in higher education.
