Effective Sept. 1, 2026, Steven Helfand, a distinguished development economist whose research on agricultural productivity, rural poverty, and policy reform in Latin America has earned international acclaim, will begin his appointment as Interim Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS) at the University of California, Riverside.

A member of the UCR faculty for more than 30 years, Helfand is a veteran administrator who served as Chair of the Department of Economics from 2017 to 2023. During his tenure, he guided one of the college’s largest departments through the complex operational transitions of the pandemic era.

A legacy of academic leadership and teaching excellence

Helfand joined UCR’s Department of Economics as an assistant professor in 1995 after earning his Ph.D. and M.S. in agricultural and resource economics, as well as a B.A. in history, from the University of California, Berkeley. His appointment as Interim Dean reflects a career marked by leadership at every level of the institution:

• Departmental stewardship: As Chair of economics from 2017 to 2023 and graduate advisor from 2016 to 2017, he expanded research opportunities and strengthened graduate mentoring.
• Global engagement: He served as director of the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) in Brazil from 2006 to 2009 and chaired UCR’s Latin American Studies Program from 2002 to 2006.
• Instructional distinction: A passionate educator whose courses range from undergraduate global poverty to advanced graduate theories of economic development, Helfand received the CHASS Distinguished Teaching Award for the 2010–2011 academic year.

Pioneering research on global development and climate resilience

Beyond his administrative roles, Helfand is a globally recognized scholar in agricultural economics and poverty in Latin America. His empirical research, frequently supported by major international bodies including the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has shaped public policy debates across Latin America.

His recent work investigates the intersection of climate change, prolonged drought, and productivity in Brazilian agriculture, offering critical insights into how sustainable policy interventions can mitigate environmental shocks on global food systems. In recognition of his foundational contributions to the field, Helfand was named a fellow (Membro Legendário) of the Brazilian Society of Rural Economics, Administration, and Sociology (SOBER) in 2022.

A future vision for CHASS

As Interim Dean, Helfand will focus on elevating the research profile of the college, improving teaching and the student experience, and advancing UCR’s mission as one of the nation’s premier public research universities for social mobility.

Helfand succeeds outgoing Dean Daryle Williams. A national search for a permanent dean will commence soon.