Shalanda H. Baker, a policymaker and academic with expertise in energy justice, environmental policy and climate change mitigation, will serve as the University of Michigan’s first vice provost for sustainability and climate action.

Currently the director of the Office of Energy Justice and Equity and the secretarial adviser on equity at the U.S. Department of Energy, and formerly the department’s chief diversity officer, Baker will advance sustainability education and research across U-M schools and colleges.

The Board of Regents approved her appointment June 20.

The vice provost for sustainability and climate action will lead interdisciplinary engagement on environmental topics, explore opportunities to integrate sustainability within core curricula and support critical research that addresses the climate crisis.

The position also will advance U-M’s role as a living-learning lab toward climate solutions, in collaboration with Business & Finance, the Office of Campus Sustainability, Student Life Sustainability, the Graham Sustainability Institute, Michigan Medicine, and schools, colleges and units.

“I’m so delighted to take on this inaugural role and join U-M’s rich tradition in the fields of climate and sustainability,” Baker said. “I can’t think of any university better situated to address the urgency and complexity of the climate crisis and serve as a force-multiplier for justice. Academic institutions are critical incubators to accelerate equitable climate solutions. I’m excited to get to work.”

Baker will assume a five-year appointment Sept. 1, reporting to the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. She also is expected to be recommended for appointment as a professor of environment and sustainability in the School for Environment and Sustainability, with tenure, at the July board meeting.

Read the full story in the University Record.