On the weekends, Otis Scott can be found relaxing with a good book, jogging or cheering for the San Francisco 49ers, but during the day, he is Sacramento State’s no-nonsense associate dean of the college of social sciences and interdisciplinary studies, taking the place of the former dean, the late Susan McGowan.

Scott, who chaired the ethnic studies department, has been at Sac State for almost 27 years, serving as a professor as well as president of the National Association for Ethnic Studies and editor of the journal, Ethnic Studies Review.

Scott attended college in Ohio at Central State University where he then decided to join the Air Force and attend the University of Maryland. Scott earned his baccalaureate and Masters degrees from Sacramento State and received his doctorate from Union Graduate School in Cincinnati.

“I enjoyed speaking on behalf of the department as a chair,” Scott said. “The job was very time consuming, but the pluses outweigh the minuses,”

As an associate dean, Scott is positioned to help the department and its faculty with instructional programs.

“With this new position, I am hoping in time I will be of better assistance to faculty and to make sure our program is always strong,”

Scott is also active in the Cooper-Woodson College Enhancement Program (CWC), an association dedicated to recognizing and upholding African American culture.

When he’s not watching the 49ers play or reading a good book, Scott also enjoys fixing things around the house and woodworking.

“I’ve been accused of being a workaholic,” Scott said.

Scott said he is looking forward to the challenges of his new position and hopes to contribute even more to what is already in the social sciences and interdisciplinary department.