Executive Board
Geno Mehalik
VP, Programs
My pronouns: He/They
Communities I serve: At The Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center (The Ashe Center), we are devoted to providing quality, accessible, state-of-the-art healthcare and education to support the unique development of all UCLA students. Personally, I manage the HRC Healthcare Equality Index certification for The Ashe Center, so I am especially focused on eliminating health disparities for LGBTQ+ folks seeking care during their college experience.
Why I love working with students: It’s inspiring to see our Bruins break down barriers in all areas –from gender roles to more political causes like gun safety legislation, safeguarding democracy, and climate justice– all to build a more inclusive, service-driven world for the rest of us. Our students often see us when they are feeling exhausted and unwell, so it’s especially gratifying to provide them with the support and care they need to continue to thrive.
Geno Mehalik, MPA
A UCF alum (BA, Ad/PR ’05), I worked in healthcare marketing for 6 years before beginning a new adventure: An AmeriCorps service year managing a conservation grant in California’s Central Valley. Next, I attended CSULB (MPA ’14) and began work as a student affairs professional and UCLA Bruin. As Outreach Manager for The Ashe Center, I’ve expanded my role marketing student healthcare services to include spearheading our center’s HRC HEI certification and planning campus-wide vaccination fairs. Away from the office, I sit on the board for The Dru Project, a nonprofit combating gun violence and providing scholarships to queer youth.
Geno Mehalik (he/they)
Originally from Miami, Florida, Geno graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2005 with a BA in Advertising/ Public Relations from the Nicholson School of Communications. A few years ahead of Drew at UCF, they shared many of the same friends and ran in the same small, Orlando circle – frequently geeking out over pop culture on LiveJournal well past midnight.
During his 10 years in Orlando, Geno was active in grassroots advocacy with Equality Florida, GOTV efforts for the 2008 Obama campaign, and for more than five years, he led corporate fundraising for the American Heart Association as part of his work at Florida Hospital. In 2010, he sought adventure out west, and moved sight unseen to Yosemite National Park, serving a year with AmeriCorps managing a water conservation grant in California’s Central Valley. After completing his AmeriCorps contract, he earned his MPA at California State University Long Beach and began work in student affairs in higher education. He is an active member of American College Health Association and recently presented on his work in queer visibility in student health with the Human Rights Campaign.
Geno now resides in Long Beach, CA, and will soon celebrate his 10th year at University of California Los Angeles in student health administration. In his free time, he is an unapologetic Swiftie, avid queer birder, and most importantly, he is passionate about his work with The Dru Project, specifically combating gun violence, lifting up queer folks through access to education and scholarship, and cultivating donor engagement for the organization.