E&I Staff Spotlights

Executive Director, Cal NERDS
Director, STEM Equity & Success - Division of Equity & Inclusion How would you describe Cal NERDS to someone who has never heard about it before?

Cal NERDS is creating a diverse STEM workforce. We are a vibrant community of STEM undergraduate and graduate innovators and leaders. Our scholars become professional NERDS in industry, academia, or government.

Can you describe your job/role?

My work supports STEM undergraduates and graduate students. It involves running diverse STEM programs, directing a student center, creating STEM initiatives, problem solving...

Co-Associate Director, Berkeley Underground Scholars How would you describe Berkeley Underground Scholars to someone who has never heard about it before?

Berkeley Underground Scholars (BUS) is a student support program that centers on formerly incarcerated and systems-impacted people in higher education. Focusing on recruitment, retention, advocacy, and wellness; the program offers a wide variety of opportunities and resources for both current and prospective students who have experienced incarceration or the incarceration of their close relative(s). As an alum of the program, I can...

Student Parent Center Lead Peer Advisor How long have you been at Berkeley?

I have been at UC Berkeley for three years, working at the Student Parent Center while completing my undergraduate degree.

What do you love most about working here?

I love building a sense of community with other student parents and creating a space where we can support and lean on each other. This work has allowed me to grow as a person by gaining experience in outreach, event planning, and marketing. I am always finding new ways to engage with our student parent community.

What's your job?

I am a Lead Peer Advisor at...

Director of the Re-entry Student Program What's your job?

I work as the Director of the Re-entry Student Program.

How long have you been at Berkeley?

I have been at Berkeley for about four years. My first role was working with undergraduate students in the Physics Department. I then began my role in the Re-entry Student Program in September 2024.

What do you love most about working here?

The re-entry student community is the most driven, passionate, and impressive student community that I have had the opportunity to work with. I’ve also felt very fortunate to have such a supportive community...

Senior Financial Analyst How long have you been at Berkeley?

I am thrilled to have joined UC Berkeley six weeks ago and I am eager to contribute to and ensure the institution's inspiring mission and principles of community.

What do you love most about working here?

I am deeply inspired by the commitment to equity and excellence that permeates the culture here. What I love most is the opportunity to contribute to the mission of an institution that is shaping future leaders. Specifically, I value the collaborative spirit of my colleagues and the passion of our diverse students. Being in a role...

Assistant Director; South Asian, Southwest Asian, and North African (SSWANA) How long have you been at Berkeley?

I’ve been at UC Berkeley since August 2021. I graduated from here in May 2025 with a degree in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, and a minor in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures. I began working here after graduating and officially started in this role in January 2026. I’ve held a variety of roles on campus, and my strengths lie in marketing, communications, data analysis, and community-centered work. It’s been a beautiful experience, and I’m thrilled to be here.

W...

Mental Health Coordinator and Licensed Psychologist How long have you been at Berkeley?

I’ve been at UC Berkeley for 11 years, which is wild! This includes my first year here as a Postdoctoral Fellow.

What do you love most about working here?

I love that most people are here because they are committed to some form of progress whether that is for their own lives, the lives of others, or both.

What's your job?

Currently, I’m the mental health coordinator for the Undocumented Student Program (USP). I am one of the two licensed providers that offer ongoing therapy to USP students.

What's a great...

Digital Communications Specialist at the Othering and Belonging Institute How long have you been at Berkeley?

It will be five years in October since I started at the Othering and Belonging Institute (OBI) at UC Berkeley.

What do you love most about working here?

The people attracted to the area and the institution. Some faculty that come to mind are Darieck Scott, Eric A. Stanley, and Karen Nakamura, as well as the students who are now my colleagues, and some have even become friends too. In a way, without traveling all over the world, I’ve had the chance to meet folks from different corners...

Director of Berkeley Hope Scholars Program How long have you been at Berkeley?

I started just six weeks before the pandemic four years ago in 2020. Even though it was a turbulent start, I fell in love with the job and I learned quickly how much the students and campus community care for one another.

What do you love most about working here?

What I love most is that my lived experience can directly support/benefit current and former foster youth and child-welfare-impacted students. My work honors the amazing, supportive people who helped me along the way on my journey. We pay it forward.

What's...

Project Manager for Faculty and Departmental DEIBJ initiatives How long have you been at Berkeley?

I’ve been at UC Berkeley for a little over a year now.

What do you love most about working here?

I absolutely love the people that I work with! I feel so lucky to be part of a team that truly values our full humanity. Whether it’s sharing Spotify playlists or unpacking national headlines, there’s always space for joy, care, and mutual support.

What's your job?

As a project manager for Faculty and Departmental Initiatives, I support a range of academic transformation initiatives and projects...