Fred E. Genesee, director of the Division of Education at the University of California, Davis, since January 1997, is returning to McGill University. "Regrettably, personal and family commitments will pull my wife and me back to Montreal at the end of spring quarter," Genesee said. "I consider myself quite fortunate in that this past year and a half on the Davis campus has been a challenging and exciting professional experience, and I have received such generous support and cooperation from the campus and from my division colleagues. I hope I have been able to make contributions that will extend beyond my brief stay." A native of Canada, Genesee had been a professor in the McGill University psychology department since 1978. His research over the years has focused on second-language learning and teaching in pre-school to adult learners, particularly the evaluation of alternative forms of second-language education for elementary- and secondary-level students. He has been a key player in UC Davis' Academic Outreach Initiative, designed to boost the academic success of Sacramento-area kindergartners through 12th-graders. "The Division of Education has made great strides under Director Genesee's leadership," said UC Davis Chancellor Larry N. Vanderhoef. "UC Davis remains committed to building upon Fred's initiatives, especially those that involve the campus with the K-12 community in developing effective strategies for improving public education. On a personal level, no matter how successful UC Davis is at coping with Fred's loss, I will miss him very much." Jonathan H. Sandoval, professor of education, will become interim director July 1 and will serve until a permanent successor is selected. A formal search will be launched in the fall. "We are very fortunate that Professor Sandoval, who had earlier served as interim director of the Division of Education, was willing to take this task on again," said Provost Robert D. Grey. "Jon's leadership experience and his dedication to education and to the division will serve the campus well as we undertake a national recruitment for Fred's successor." Sandoval's research interests include the prevention of school failure, the promotion of mental health in schools and the preparation of educational and psychological professionals.