The VP of Special Projects position requires the coordination of events that foster community between faculty, staff and students. Chief among these duties is programming the Emerging Research Speaker Series in collaboration with the Faculty Senate. This program has the potential to bring exciting new perspectives and discoveries from talented researchers that can and should be shared with the community. For the past 12 years, I have served in high level academic administrative roles, including my present position as Director of UCLA Extension Dept. of Humanities and Sciences. These academic experiences have given me the ability to identify relevant challenges and share important ideas and opportunities with key campus leaders. I see myself as being able to work with the Faculty Senate and identifying emerging research projects that would be of interest to the UCLA audience and the community at large.

In my current role, I oversee a community-based weekly speaker series, entitled Beyond the Headlines, which has a proven 30-year track record that expands knowledge to the LA community. Each week this program features a timely current event topic of international, national, or local importance. In managing that program, we identify exceptional content experts and/or researchers from UCLA in the fields of economics, law, politics, science, etc. I envision working with the Faculty Senate on the Emerging Speaker Series as a compliment to the type of work that I currently do with the Beyond the Headlines speaker series at Extension.

The Staff Assembly Scholarship and Awards program allows the recognition of outstanding staff members who want to pursue additional education at UCLA. In managing large departments over the years, I have a discernable eye to identify staff members who should be recognized for their abilities that contribute to the success of academic organizations. I have experience on a national level through working with the American Assoc. of University Women. This organization rewards scholarships to women who are affecting change in their communities. I served as a panel member for the Career Development Grant program for 3 years. The UCLA Scholarship and Awards program would be a natural continuation of this type of work of which I am familiar. I am a firm believer in lifelong learning and being a part of an organization that provides scholarships to make ongoing education possible would be an honor.

The Department of Humanities and Sciences at Extension provides open access courses to the greater Los Angeles community. This year my department alone has served over 19,000 students who are pursuing their continuous educational needs. Most, if not all, of our students are working adults throughout Los Angeles with very busy lives. I know that how we service these unique adult learners is critical to their satisfaction with their UCLA experience. My experience with Extension students would be of benefit to this board position.

I am interested in developing a greater connection with the entire UCLA family, which would not only be personally rewarding, but would also advance UCLA Extension’s mission to enhance campus collaborations and community outreach. By managing and participating in Staff Assembly sponsored activities, opportunities to meet new colleagues and develop stronger relationships with staff and faculty throughout campus would grow exponentially. As I have now been a Director at Extension for three years, I have a better perspective on how my skills and abilities can contribute to overall benefit of UCLA.

As Vice President, Special Projects, my goals are:

My primary goal would be overseeing special projects that foster community, and which have a broad appeal throughout UCLA. Measuring that goal would be accomplished through increased engagement and participation in Staff Assembly activities by faculty, staff and students. A second goal would to contribute 110% to the Board, and being of assistance to the President and my fellow Board members in all activities throughout my term.