Linda Chapin joined UCF in 2001 after having completed two terms as Orange County’s first elected mayor. As director of the Metropolitan Center for Regional Studies, her work focused on growth, the environment and other social policy issues. She retired Dec. 31, 2008, but plans to continue as a volunteer working on initiatives that began during her tenure.
Diane Trees, Ed.D., associate vice president of community relations, whose doctoral studies included a focus on the impact of higher education on metropolitan areas, is the new director of the Metropolitan Center. Trees said she looks forward to Chapin’s continuing involvement as a volunteer.