The University of Hawaii has announced Patricia Cooper is joining the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education.

She will become interim dean of the Graduate Division on Oct. 1, when Dean Peter Garrod becomes interim assistant vice chancellor for research relations.

Cooper is currently associate dean for academic affairs at the university’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. She has served as associate dean at SOEST for the past 12 years.

Cooper is an UH alumna and former faculty member in the Department of Geology and Geophysics.

She said she looks forward to working with administrators, faculty, staff and students to advance graduate education in Hawaii.