SAN DIEGO—The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) has appointed UC San Diego’s Peter F. Cowhey, Dean Emeritus and Qualcomm Chair of Communications and Technology Policy Emeritus of the School of Global Policy and Strategy, to its Board of Directors. He joins the board at the height of The Nat’s 150th anniversary—a historic moment for the Museum and its role in the region’s conservation.
An author, educator, and thought leader with experience in government relations, Cowhey will bring his vast knowledge and innovative thinking to the organization. “Peter’s vast national and international policy expertise combined with his deep connection to UCSD will serve our organization well,” said Judy Gradwohl, the Christy Walton President and CEO of the San Diego Natural History Museum. “In addition, he brings a broad perspective through his involvement with California Council on Science and Technology which will be valuable as we launch the Urban Nature Alliance, a major statewide initiative.”
Cowhey joined the UC San Diego faculty in 1976. He was director of the University of California's system-wide Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation from 1999-2006 and Associate Vice Chancellor-International Affairs from 2007-2009. He was the Interim Executive Vice Chancellor of UC San Diego in 2016-2017. Cowhey became dean of the School of Global Policy and Strategy in July 2002.
He has served in many leadership positions in government and the nonprofit world. He served in senior positions for international economic and technology policy in the Obama and Clinton Administrations. Cowhey is currently the chair of the board of directors for the California Council on Science and Technology and the past board chair of the Grameen Foundation USA, the U.S. foundation supporting the work of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
Cowhey has a Ph.D. in Political Science from University of California, Berkeley. He currently lives in La Jolla.
About the San Diego Natural History Museum
The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) is one of California’s oldest and most respected cultural and scientific institutions. Founded in 1874 by a small group of citizen scientists, the Museum works to preserve and protect this amazing place we call home. The Museum is located at 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 in Balboa Park. For more information, call 877.946.7797 or visit sdnat.org. Follow The Nat on Twitter and Instagram and join the discussion on Facebook.
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