Meet the Team
Connect to the other members of the EVC Office and learn about their roles supporting Academic Affairs. Visit our Meet the Executive Vice Chancellor page to learn more about EVC Simmons.
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Robert Continetti, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Sr. AVC-AA)
The Sr. AVC-AA serves as a principal advisor to the EVC, supporting the priorities of Academic Affairs in line with the university’s strategic plan. They are also responsible for managing academic personnel processes, including serving as the primary liaison to the Senate Committee on Academic Personnel (CAP), as well as administering new academic initiatives and providing guidance about resource needs to meet programmatic goals. In this capacity, Robert Continetti oversees Academic Personnel Services (APS) and serves as dean designee for Halicioğlu Data Science Institute, Design Lab, San Diego Supercomputer Center, and the Qualcomm Institute.
Contact:
he/him/his
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Carlos Jensen, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Educational Innovation (AVC-EI)
Carlos Jensen joined UC San Diego and the EVC team in 2020. He is a champion of experiential learning and has extensive leadership experience in public education, with a strong emphasis on teaching excellence, educational innovation and access, and enhancing the student experience. As AVC-EI, he leads our campus educational innovation efforts, designed to stimulate the development of new academic programs and infrastructures in support of our strategic priorities for diversity and access, the student experience, organizational sustainability, and more. In this capacity, Carlos oversees the Teaching + Learning Commons, which promotes educational excellence through comprehensive services for students and educators.
Contact:
he/him/his
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Alison Sanders, Ed.D.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Chief of Staff (Asst. VC-AA/COS)
The Asst.VC-AA/COS is a strategic advisor and collaborator that provides expertise and counsel on policies, programs, and operations for administrative and academic units that report to the Office of the EVC. Alison joined UC San Diego in 2019, and in this critical role, she works closely with faculty, administrative leaders, staff, and colleagues across the UC system to advance UC San Diego’s strategic goals.
Contact:
she/her/hers
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Carolyn Arntsen, M.P.A.
Special Assistant to the Executive Vice Chancellor
The Special Assistant provides management support to the EVC on a wide range of matters, working closely with the EVC's Executive Assistant and the Assistant Vice Chancellor/Chief of Staff. The role involves high-level work associated with complex and sensitive administrative issues and serves as a liaison to senior leaders, faculty, and staff colleagues at UC San Diego and across the UC system.
Carolyn came to UC San Diego and joined the EVC team in 2016. She is the main point of contact for EVC signature items and remarks; prepares presentations, communications, and other documents on behalf of the EVC Office; and collaborates on other special projects across Academic Affairs.
Contact:
she/her/hers
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Gillian Hemingway Asch
Deputy Chief of Staff
As Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, Gillian provides broad scope research and analysis, communication development and consultation in carrying out the objectives of the Executive Vice Chancellor-Academic Affairs. She is responsible for high-level oversight and coordination of organizational initiatives and their implementation, directs programs and initiatives of a complex and sensitive nature, and supervises the EVC’s immediate office professional staff. She acts on behalf of and serves as a liaison for the EVC and their Chief of Staff to both internal and external constituents. Gillian joined UC San Diego and the Office of the EVC in 2003.
Questions about strategic initiatives and endowed chairs and fellowships may be directed to Gillian.
Contact:
she/her/hers
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Melanie Bentley
Executive Assistant to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Melanie has more than 15 years of experience in executive administration at UC San Diego both on the General Campus and in Health Sciences. She joined the EVC Office in 2018 and supports the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Alison Sanders) and the Director of Institutional Research (Christine Hurley).
Contact:
she/her/hers
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Kimberly Lamke Calderón, M.A.
Strategic Communication and Engagement Manager
Kim Lamke Calderón joined the EVC's team in 2021, after working for several years as a journalist, and most recently as a communications and marketing professional for universities including San Diego State University and Oregon State University. As the EVC's Strategic Communication and Engagement Manager, Kim has developed and works to implement a comprehensive communications strategy to strengthen communications about Academic Affairs and the Executive Vice Chancellor's portfolio. She strives to work collaboratively with partners across campus to inform the UC San Diego community about the EVC's vision, mission, and strategic goals.
Please direct questions about the Academic Affairs newsletter, the EVC's website and campus notices to Kim.
Contact:
she/her/hers
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Megan Navamani
Event Manager
Megan joined UC San Diego in 2019, and the EVC team in 2020. She brings 11 years of event experience to planning UC San Diego campus events, as well as virtual event production. As Event Manager, Megan provides support and consultation to execute high-profile events. She works in collaboration with project managers and department organizers to oversee each event using campus policies and best practices. In addition to in-person events, Megan utilizes Zoom and other virtual event expertise to develop online meetings, events, and conferences that may have previously been in-person, including virtual inclusivity options and hybrid events.
Contact:
she/her/hers
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Marina Hayden, MBA, Ed.D.
Principal Project and Policy Analyst
Marina is a UC San Diego alumna with more than 20 years of experience supporting academic affairs, including serving as a lecturer and administrator at the Jacobs School of Engineering and the Office of Undergraduate Education. Marina joined the EVC Office in 2019 and serves as an analyst for Educational Innovation initiatives.
Contact:
she/her/hers
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Jessica Juarez
Executive Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Educational Innovation
Jessica joined the EVC team in 2019 after serving in the College Business Office. Jessica currently serves as the executive assistant to Associate Vice Chancellor for Educational Innovation, Carlos Jensen.
In this role she provides high-level administrative and programmatic support to the Office of Educational Innovation; independently manages the AVC-EI’s daily and long-range workload and schedule, and communicates diplomatically with diverse campus and community stakeholders on behalf of the AVC-EI. She coordinates ad-hoc and standing committees as well as workshops, webinars and other events on behalf of the AVC-EI and the Educational Innovation team. Jessica also represents the EVC Office in planning for campus-wide signature events such as Triton Days
Contact:
she/her/hers
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Andrea Patrick
Executive Assistant, Arts Strategy and Engagement
Andrea joined the EVC Office in 2021. She has several years of experience in executive administration in the UC system. In her current role, she provides high-level programmatic and administrative support to departmental executives and designees. This includes primary executive support for the Arts Strategy Advisor, Professor Rand Steiger. She also coordinates ad-hoc and standing committee meetings, as well as participates in the development of systems for managing information and projects.
Contact:
she/her/hers
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Jessica Pinto
Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice Chancellor
Jessica joined UC San Diego in 2020 and the EVC Office in 2021. Jessica has more than 15 years of experience in executive administration and she is the primary point of contact for all of the EVC’s calendar commitments. Working with the Special Assistant, Jessica manages the EVC’s daily and long-term work schedule, compiles briefings for all of the EVC’s meeting and events, and completes other projects in support of the EVC and the EVC Office as needed.
Any scheduling requests for the EVC should be directed to Jessica.
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Lisa Riolo
Executive Assistant to the Senior Associate Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Lisa joined UC San Diego in 2017 and the EVC Office in 2019. With more than 20 years of experience in project management and executive administration, Lisa supports the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor (Bob Continetti) and in this role, she is the primary point of contact for the Sr. AVC’s calendar commitments, briefings, and signature items. Lisa provides administrative support for his work with Academic Personnel Services, Halicioğlu Data Science Institute, Design Lab, San Diego Supercomputer Center, and the Qualcomm Institute. She coordinates ad-hoc and standing committees and manages the Hellman Fellowship, a faculty award program.
Contact:
she/her/hers
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Anita Rivera
Executive Assistant to the Chief Privacy Officer
Anita is a recent hire who joined UC San Diego fall 2021. She has 15 years of experience as an Executive Assistant. She currently serves as the executive assistant to the Chief Privacy Officer, Pegah Parsi, and the Privacy Office.
Contact:
she/her/hers