ICF Welcomes its Incoming Chair, Dr. Mary Walshok

On June 14, 2007 Dr. Mary Walshok was elected as the new Chair of ICF.  She comes to us with a very extensive and prestigious background as author, educator, industrial sociologist, philanthropist, and community leader.

Dr. Mary Walshok’s career has been one of great achievements, enthusiasm, integration, and over-all instruction.  She joined the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 1972 and has been there ever since.  In 1981, Dr. Walshok was appointed as the Dean of University Extension and Associate Vice Chancellor of Public Programs at UCSD.  She has a team of 275 employees and 4,000 instructors, who embody community awareness and connect communities through educational and programmatic endeavors.  She actively participates and contributes her knowledge and leadership into making UCSD what it is today by “expanding its local impact, national reputation and global reach.”

Her most celebrated programs have been Global CONNECT and the San Diego Dialogue which have helped the San Diego region establish relationships with other parts of the world, such as with Asia, Canada, Latin America, and Europe.  The results of these programs have been astounding and have shown that the San Diego region better understands cross-border relationships.

Due to her work and dedication, Dr. Walshok has been distinguished with many awards and honors, including the Kellogg National Fellowship, and an induction into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame in 2006.  The most prestigious award was in 2002 when she was decorated with the Knighthood, First Class of the Royal Order of the Polar Star, established by Swedish King Fredrik I in 1748, and authorized by present King Carl XVI Gustaf in recognition of her work and development of Sweden CONNECT, a program modeled after UCSD CONNECT.  This honor had not been awarded to a person in the San Diego community in thirty years.

Dr. Walshok’s three decades of leadership at University Extension, her role as Associate Vice Chancellor of Public programs at UCSD and her sincere passion for the community has made her a “dynamo” of public service and philanthropy.  She has held positions on numerous boards, including the Girard Foundation, The California Council for the Humanities, President of the Francis W. Parker School Board of Trustees, and the Board Chair of the San Diego Foundation from 2001 – 2003. 

As Chair of the International Community Foundation, there is no doubt that she will carry her life-long dedication of service and education into the work of ICF.  We are delighted to have her on board!