I was drawn to study higher education because of my fascination with the intersections between individuals, institutions, and society. The unifying link between my academic and administrative pursuits is my desire to engage in work that contributes to promoting the personal and professional development of students and faculty that, by extension, enhances the educational capacities and societal contributions of higher education institutions.

In my current role as assistant dean (formerly titled assistant vice provost) of undergraduate education at UCLA, I have had leadership responsibility for several campus initiatives that focus on enhancing teaching and learning, addressing accreditation-related considerations, and facilitating student success. Since Summer 2015, I have also served as Director of UCLA Honors Programs. In July 2024, I was named UCLA Centennial Director for Philanthropy Education. These and other professional endeavors, including my role as Accreditation External Liaison at UCLA, have provided me with valuable insights about organizational change and governance as well as institutional decision-making, planning, and partnerships.  

Previously, I served (2001-2006) as associate director of the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) at UCLA's Higher Education Research Institute and as director of the institute's triennial national survey of college faculty. During that period, I was also appointed visiting assistant professor of higher education and organizational change within UCLA's Graduate School of Education & Information Studies.  In addition, I served as director and co-lead investigator for the decade-long (2001-2011) Spirituality in Higher Education project. Throughout my academic career, the intangible lessons I learned as a competitive athlete and coach have reinforced for me the value of authenticity, the importance of perseverance, the subtleties of effective leadership, and the rewards of teamwork.