Rice Names Baylor College Dean as VP for Student Affairs

Contact: Michael Cinelli
Phone: (713) 527-4807

Rice Names Baylor College Dean as VP for Student Affairs

Rice president Malcolm Gillis announced today
the appointment of Zenaido Camacho, senior associate dean at Baylor
College of Medicine, as the university’s next vice president for
Student Affairs.

Camacho, 51, is also a full professor in the college’s pathology
department and an associate professor in the community medicine
department.

"Zenaido Camacho is an exemplar of a new type of student affairs
leader at research universities," Gillis said. "He not only holds a
Ph.D in a traditional academic discipline, but also over two decades
he has accumulated a wealth of experience in dealing with a wide
range of issues and problems in student life. At Rice, his
responsibilities will include advising, career counseling, the honor
system, student health, the residential college system and special
needs of international students, the Marching Owl Band and the
student center.

"Dr. Camacho also brings substantial experience in attracting
and retaining highly qualified minority students and will work
closely with other Rice officials in assuring that Rice maintains a
supportive environment for them."

Camacho, a native Texan and one of 11 children in his family,
earned a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry/psychology from Baylor
University in 1964, a master’s in biochemistry/physiology from
Baylor and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Texas at
Austin in 1970.

After graduation, Camacho joined the faculty of Washington State
University as an assistant professor of pathology. He was named
assistant professor at the University of Washington School of
Medicine in 1975, where he served as assistant dean for student
affairs from 1975 through 1983. In 1981 he was named associate
professor of research and medical education.

At the University of Washington, Camacho was chair of the
Student Promotions Committee. He was also a member of the Dean’s
Advisory Council.

Camacho joined the Baylor College of Medicine faculty in 1983.
He served on numerous committees at the college, including those
involved with medical school admissions, graduate medical education,
student financial aid and affirmative action.

He is also a member of the Baylor Minority Faculty Association
and is coordinator of the college’s participation in the American
Association of Medical Colleges’ Project 3000 by 2000.

"The challenge of moving to an outstanding academic institution
such as Rice excites me," Camacho said. "I am honored that the board
and President Gillis have selected me from many qualified candidates
to work as a member of the community of administrators, faculty,
students and staff."

Camacho takes over the vice president for Student Affairs post
from Sarah Burnett, who has filled the position on an interim basis
after Ronald Stebbings completed his appointment and returned to the
Rice faculty at the end of the 1992-93 academic year. Burnett
remains dean of students at Rice.

Rice University is an independent, coeducational, nonsectarian
private university dedicated to undergraduate teaching and graduate
studies, research and professional training in selected disciplines.
It has an undergraduate student population of 2,674, a graduate and
professional student population of 1,449 and a full-time faculty of
437.

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