New University Leader Kicks Off First Day On Campus

VALLEJO, Calif., Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Kicking off her first day on the job at Touro University California, CEO and Senior Provost Shelley Berkley will address students and faculty in Lander Hall A of the campus.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140113/SF44710)  

The former Nevada Congresswoman was appointed to the position of CEO and Senior Provost of Touro's Western Division in December of 2013, and will oversee both California and Nevada Campuses. Berkley represented Nevada's first Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2013.  She was the first woman to serve the District and held the position for seven terms. 

Berkley also served on Nevada State System of Higher Education's Board of Regents for eight years and previously served in the Nevada State Legislature.  Her distinguished record of achievements and national prominence make her perfectly suited to take on this esteemed role.

 "Shelley Berkley is an extraordinary addition to the Touro leadership team. Her leadership positions in government, legal background, and community engagement will be a tremendous asset to the campus," said Dr. Marilyn Hopkins, COO and Provost of TUC. "In addition, she is passionately committed to our values of social justice, pursuit of knowledge and service to others. I look forward to her arrival and helping her actualize her vision for the two campuses in the Touro Western Division."

Berkley was the first person in her family to attend college, graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a degree in political science and obtaining her juris doctorate from the University of San Diego, School of Law.  Prior to her political career, she served as an attorney for the Nevada State Commerce Department, in-house counsel for Southwest Gas Corporation, and Vice President for Government and Legal Affairs for the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas.

About the Touro College and University System

Touro University California is a Jewish nonprofit, independent graduate institution of higher learning founded in 1997 on three Judaic values: social justice, the pursuit of knowledge and service to humanity. The university, home to 1,400 students, has professional programs in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, public health, and education. Faculty, staff and students have a powerful commitment to academic excellence, evidence-based professional practice, interdisciplinary (inter-professional) collaboration, and active engagement with a global community. The university also has a research agenda funded by the National Institutes for Health (NIH), Gates Foundation, and other extramural sources. To learn more, visit www.tu.edu or call 707-638-5200.

SOURCE Touro University California