Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Congratulations to all of our
Academic Affairs
2014-2015 Star Performers
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Rady School of Management
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Casey-Jo ArnoldStudent Services CoordinatorRady School of Management
When Rady's Graduate Programs Office was understaffed and a large majority were new to their jobs, Casey-Jo became their "go-to"
person. She was able to figure out the answers to their questions and direct them
to the appropriate UCSD department.
• Laurel NelsonDirector of Graduate Student Services
Rady School of Management
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Josuè AyalaFiscal AnalystRady School of Management
Josuѐ is able to present fiscal information in a manner tailored to his audience and maintains a demeanor that allows his
audience to feel comfortable asking any questions.
• Len LaFebreAssistant Dean, Finance & Administration
Rady School of Management
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Frances DiazCurriculum/Facility Support CoordinatorRady School of Management
Frances is like a chameleon; she never imposes
her style on anybody and quickly adapts herself to any environment.
• Hyoduk ShinAssistant Professor of
Innovation, Information Technology & Operations
Rady School of Management
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Christine McMahanDean's Executive AssistantRady School of Management
Christine has built strong relationships throughout the Rady School and regularly brainstorms with colleagues to ensure that
internal processes are effective and efficient.
• Maria LofftusAssistant Dean,
Academic Affairs & Special InitiativesRady School of Management
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Division of Arts &
Humanities
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Susan BernalStudent Affairs ManagerHistory & Philosophy
Susan has exhibited innovative and proactive leadership…Susan is an effective communicator and supervisor, and staff as
well as faculty have come to know and trust her.
• Debra AmbroseBusiness Officer
Philosophy
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Sheena GhanbariProgram Promotions ManagerVisual Arts
Sheena works tirelessly in promoting our graduate and undergraduate exhibitions, activities, and events…She is one of the
most professional and hard-working staff members I have worked with, and she is a
valued member of the Department.
• Jacqueline GriffinBusiness Officer
Visual Arts
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Nancy GuerreroUndergraduate Program CoordinatorHistory & Philosophy
Because of her passion, she consistently advances the idea of philosophy as a viable
major where pre-med, pre-law and even science-driven students can see an
alternative to the more traditional paths of academia.
• Debra AmbroseBusiness Officer
Philosophy
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Trevor HenthornManager of Audio ComputingMusic
Trevor helped create an internship program for many first-generation students and
students from underrepresented backgrounds. This is an important
contribution to diversity because it provides students with important experience in working with state-of-the-art facilities.
• Rand SteigerDepartment Chair
Music
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Yuka NakanishiFiscal and Human Resources ManagerVisual Arts
As a senior faculty member asserts, “not only does Yuka never miss a deadline... She has us covered every time, which results in significant gains for us – on grant quality,
clarity, acquisition, and administration.”
• Alena WilliamsAssistant Professor
Visual Arts
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
MaryBeth WardGraduate Student CoordinatorTheatre & Dance
She has made a strong bond with our graduate students, who refer to her as
“Mama Mary” and “Marybest.” She helps them develop plans that enable them to accomplish their
objectives expeditiously and in accordance with their personal aspirations.
• Marianne McDonaldProfessor
Theatre
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
University Extension
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Douglas KrzywickiProgram Services SupportUniversity Extension
Constantly we hear, "oh my gosh... Doug made it so easy; he was so informative and helpful." We all feel appreciated by him and now feel it is time to make sure
we appreciate him.
• Grace MillerDirector of Public Service Cluster
University Extension
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Melissa WeberWeb ProducerUniversity Extension
She has developed processes and communication tools that help everyone in
the department contribute to their full potential. We have
actually been able to grow our outlets and platforms because of
her dedication and efficiency.
• Lynn BurnstanManaging Director of UCSD-TV
University Extension
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Jacobs School of Engineering
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Jenniffer BourgeoisFund ManagerStructural Engineering
Jenniffer shows initiative by identifying areas where improvement is necessary
within the fiscal unit and offering positive suggestions for improvement. Her loyalty
and dedication to the Department is greatly appreciated by her co-workers
and faculty.
• Maria IbarraFiscal Manager
Structural Engineering
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Joni CiarlettaFiscal ManagerElectrical & Computer Engineering
Joni’s commitment to the University is evidenced everyday as she shares her
knowledge with those around her and works to improve the way we do business so that those we serve can pursue their research,
teaching and educational goals.
• Stephanie NavridesBusiness Officer
Electrical & Computing Engineering
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Paul GrecoSenior Development EngineerStructural Engineering
His dedication has helped advance the research mission of the Department and the reputation of this university in the
structural engineering field.
• Benson ShingVice Chair
Structural Engineering
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Linda Mc KameyStudent Affairs ManagerMechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Linda has taken the initiative to develop relationships and partnerships with her
fellow co-workers to improve department morale. Linda and her staff have
developed a strong bond and are a team that works together on every level.
• Nicholas BusanAssociate Development Engineer
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
G. Stephen PorterSenior Development EngineerStructural Engineering
He is clearly very dedicated, technically excellent, and a vital asset
to the success of the department's undergraduate
curriculum.
• Michael ToddVice Chair
Structural Engineering
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Ji SongFinancial/Human Resources ManagerNanoEngineering
Ji has developed into a strong leader over the years, and she is sought after by various campus departments to participate in committee work and for advice on implementing fiscal policy or procedures.
• Carolyn SheehanBusiness Officer
NanoEngineering
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Lindsay WaltonFaculty AssistantStructural Engineering
Lindsay is the kind of person who takes time out of her stressful and busy work schedule to get to know as many graduate students and coworkers as possible.
• Raquel HallHuman Resources Coordinator
Structural Engineering
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Yvonne WilsonGraduate Student Affairs CoordinatorStructural Engineering
Yvonne's outstanding work in graduate student recruitment has resulted in the admission of
13 new PhD students and 75 new MS students in 2013-2014, which is a
significant increase from the previous year’s 1 new PhD student and 48 MS
students admission.
• Jiun-Shyan ChenProfessor, Director of
Center for Extreme Events ResearchStructural Engineering
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Biological Sciences
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Dennis HickeyStaff Research AssociateBiological Sciences
Dennis has also volunteered thousands of hours to service within the San Diego
community since 2010, from foot patrol to rescue services. Dennis has received
numerous community awards and citations for his contributions to the community.
• Lorlina AlmazanUndergraduate Labs Operations Manager
Division of Biological Science
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Laura TaAcademic Personnel ManagerBiological Sciences
Laura has truly excelled at a very demanding and critically-
important position as the Academic Personnel Manager and, moreover,
she appears to do so effortlessly.
• Martin YanofskyChair
Cell & Developmental Biology
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Hanako WylesAssistant Safety CoordinatorBiological Sciences
Hanako also coordinated with Facilities Management to reduce the
autoclave vacuum dry cycles to 10 minutes, which has eliminated long vacuum drying time and has substantially reduced water
usage.
• Victoria ScalesEH&S Specialist
Division of Biological Science
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Office of the Executive
Vice Chancellor
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Renee LeeSummer Session Student Affairs ManagerSummer Session, Office of the EVC
Recently, Renee resolved a serious problem with Summer Session third party
collections…over the past year, more than $300,000 of collection debt has been
resolved.
• Becky ArceDirector of Summer Session
Summer Session, Office of the EVC
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Research Affairsand ORUs
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Marilyn HardeeStaff Research AssociateAnimal Care Program
She has improved the communication between researchers and the Animal
Care Program and because of her effort, the number of investigators requesting
our services has tripled since 2010.
• Alice K SmithAssociate Director – Health Services
Office of Animal Research
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Melanie MaddoxStaff Research AssociateCenter for Human Development
She also organized data collection events in remote locations, as far away as Chula Vista, in order to ease the burden on families, and she made sure we had
Spanish-speaking researchers on hand to address any concerns from our monolingual
Spanish-speaking parents.
• Terry JerniganDirector of Center for Human Development
Cognitive Science
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Brandi PateAdministrative AnalystCenter for Energy Research
Her holistic approach enables her to create visions and policies that
work not just for her employees in the fiscal area, but
for everyone in the department.
• Jennifer GriffinBusiness Officer
Sustainable Production of Food & Fuel
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Janet ShinBusiness OfficerCenter for Human Development
Janet’s performance in meeting peak demands, while continuing to support ongoing and growing
programs, were outstanding and won the admiration of her colleagues.
• Nicolas SpitzerProfessor
Division of Biological Science
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Physical Sciences
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Robin KnoxFund ManagerPhysics
Since she has been the fund manager, we have been able to increase the funding applications by a factor of
almost 4 and have increased the total awarded funding by more than
70%.
• Sunil SinhaProfessor
Physics
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Erica LennardStudent Affairs DirectorChemistry & Biochemistry
She not only ensures that our educational machine functions properly, but she does
so with the highest level of quality and efficiency that I have ever seen in
any staff or faculty member.
• Seth CohenChair
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Marijana VukovicStaff Research AssociateChemistry & Biochemistry
In Professor Sailor’s 25 years at UCSD, Marijana is the absolute best lab support staff person that he has ever
encountered.
• Michael SailorProfessor
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Social Sciences
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Emmanuel (Manny) dela PazStudent Affairs ManagerSociology
Manny is extremely active on campus committees and served as the GradNet
Vice Chair and GradNet Chair. Manny brings a great deal of empathy to
his job, as well as, all of his other work skills.
• Shanley MillerBusiness Officer
Sociology
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Jamie LloydUndergraduate AdvisorCommunication
She is constantly supporting faculty and students to overcome obstacles in order to
achieve their goals.
• Renee JohnsonAcademic Personnel Specialist
Communication
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Carlos MartinezInformation Technology Systems AnalystDean's Office, Division of Social Sciences
Carlos is always looking out for others, whether it be customer service for IT calls, assessing a person's anxiety level and being
able to alleviate it, or simply showing humanity and kindness at times when the
pressure cooker of declining resources and additional work keeps getting turned
up.
• Ezra Van EverbroeckDirector of Information Technology
Dean’s Office, Division of Social Sciences
Academic Affairs 2014-2015 Star Performer
Congratulations to all of our
Academic Affairs
2014-2015 Star Performers