Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs
The Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs oversees the development and implementation of the University's academic policies. The Vice President of Academic Affairs heads it. Among its functions are proposing university teaching, student admission, and inclusion policies.
Mario Ponce Acevedo
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Sciences from the University of Chile. He later earned a Master's degree from the National Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA) in Rio de Janeiro and a PhD from the University of Paris-Sud, France. His research focuses on dynamical systems. He joined the Faculty of Mathematics at UC Chile in 2007, where he served as Dean for two consecutive terms. His leadership left a lasting impact through initiatives that continue to influence mathematics education at both the school and university levels. He has served as Vice President for Academic Affairs at UC Chile since 2025.
Core Functions
He is the authority in charge of developing and implementing the academic policy of the University and serves as the head of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
a) Proposes academic policies for undergraduate, master's, postgraduate, medical specialties, and doctoral programs.
b) Proposes, in conjunction with the Office of the President, policies for the development of the academic staff, their careers, and professional development.
c) Proposes university student admission policies and academic inclusion policies.
d) Ensures the integral formation, quality of life, and welfare of undergraduate and graduate students through the development of support and prevention activities in the areas of health, sports, and student development.
e) Approves, in conjunction with the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs and the Office of the Provost, the University's internationalization agreements in training projects, double degree and degrees, internships, and undergraduate and master's student exchange.
f) Proposes and coordinates the policies of the University's activities that consider training in other languages, the Bachillerato Inicia Program, and the UC College Preparatory Program.
To learn more about the duties and functions of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, read the Regulations of the Organizations that work with the Office of the President.
Offices
Offices
Office of Academic Affairs
This office is responsible for shaping and implementing the University’s educational project. It defines guidelines for the development of academic programs, ensuring their quality and effective integration across the institution and its academic units. It also leads cross-disciplinary initiatives such as General Education and Academic Integrity and actively fosters excellence in teaching and learning. It is led by Alondra Chamorro.
Director
Office of Teaching Development & Innovation
This office designs and implements policies aimed at enhancing pedagogical skills and fostering teaching innovation. It promotes excellence in education through faculty recognition, professional development, and performance evaluation. It also generates knowledge by researching and sharing evidence-based innovative practices. It plays a key role in advancing high-quality teaching and learning across the University. The office is led by Chantal Jouannet.
Director
Office of Learning & Student Academic Support
This office promotes the academic success of all students by implementing strategies such as diagnostic assessments, academic leveling, curricular adjustments, and academic support. It gathers and analyzes data on academic performance and progression to identify early alerts and provide targeted assistance. The office plays an active role in fostering high-quality teaching and learning across the University. It is led by Catalina García.
Director
Office of Student Affairs
This office supports student well-being and holistic development by fostering a strong sense of belonging and enriching the university experience through a wide range of services, activities, and extra- and co-curricular programs in areas such as student development, sports, health, and wellness. It implements initiatives that promote successful social integration and the development of employability skills, while also providing guidance to student government representatives.
Office of Student Admission & School Outreach
This office designs and implements the University’s admissions policies and manages the application, selection, and enrollment processes that include both centralized pathways and diverse, equitable direct-entry opportunities. It promotes undergraduate academic programs and provides early, systematic, and close engagement with schools to connect with prospective applicants. The office is led by Juan Echeverría.
Director
Registrar's Office
This office develops and implements policies related to academic processes and maintains secure and up-to-date records of students’ academic histories. It oversees key academic operations, including the annual academic calendar, classroom management, course scheduling, and registration. The office also provides official academic certifications and administers the awarding of degrees and diplomas. It is led by Gabriela Estay.
Director
English UC Language Center
This center supports the design, implementation, and quality assurance of the University’s English language programs. It also provides English-language support services to students, faculty, and staff that enhance community engagement and facilitate the dissemination of academic research. In addition to these core functions, English UC fosters lifelong learning through a wide range of programs and services. Its main initiatives include administering internationally recognized English proficiency exams and participating in joint projects to strengthen professional development. These collaborations involve a broad spectrum of institutions, including K-12 and technical schools, government agencies, universities, and private sector organizations. The center is led by Christopher MacGuire.
Director
University Entrance Exam Preparation Program
This program offers academic preparation courses to help students transition from high school to college. The courses build essential skills and strategies for success on university entrance exams and include vocational guidance. They are available in various formats across Santiago and other regions, including in-person and synchronous online classes, as well as intensive one-semester and yearlong programs. To promote equitable access, the program provides scholarships and financial aid. It also supports high school students and recent graduates throughout their journey, helping them prepare until they are successfully admitted to a university. It is led by Ariel Aguilar.
Director
Bachillerato Inicia
Ejecuta las políticas académicas del Programa Bachillerato Inicia, definiendo sus planes de estudio y mecanismos de articulación con las distintas carreras. Además, vela por la calidad de la docencia y acompaña a los estudiantes durante su permanencia en el programa mediante apoyo académico.
Director
Executive Office for Academic Affairs
This office advises the Vice President for Academic Affairs on strategic matters, contributing to the development and monitoring of the VRA strategic plan and fostering collaboration with UC Presidency offices and across VRA departments. It oversees the VRA financial and operational management, supports the administration of its various offices, and evaluates the economic implications of academic program design and redesign. This office is also responsible for the financial and strategic management of VRA projects funded by public resources. It is led by Ignacia Torres.
