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About the Chancellor’s Office

The goal of the Chancellor’s Office is to support the Chancellor’s leadership of UC San Diego in fulfilling its mission of teaching, research and service to society. Responsibilities that fall within the Chancellor’s Office range from outreach to the San Diego community to fiscal management in accordance with UC and UC San Diego policies.

The Chancellor’s unit includes:

Immediate Office Staff

  • Jeff Gattas

    Jeff Gattas

    Associate Chancellor / Chief of Staff
    (858) 534-6861

    Reporting to the Chancellor and working in close collaboration with the Associate Chancellor in the Office of the Chancellor, the Associate Chancellor / Chief of Staff is a strategic advisor to the Chancellor and the campus executive leadership team. This position is the key architect of the Chancellor's strategic communications strategies and tactics to achieve institutional goals and objectives spelled out in the campus Strategic Plan. A member of the Chancellor's Executive Cabinet, the Associate Chancellor / Chief of Staff provides senior executive-level oversight and coordination to implement the directives and institutional initiatives of the Chancellor. The role supervises Campus and Community Relations and governmental affairs professional staff.

  • Kelly Kish

    Kelly Kish

    Associate Chancellor
    (858) 822-4382

    The Associate Chancellor leads key strategic initiatives for the campus and acts as chief advisor to the chancellor and his leadership team. The role provides broad scope research and analysis, communication development and consultation to complement and enhance the strategic objectives of the chancellor. The Associate Chancellor works closely with the Executive Vice Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Associate Chancellor/Chief of Staff and members of the Chancellor's cabinet to address and resolve issues that affect the success of the Chancellor’s initiatives. 

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    Chandra Bandril

    Chancellor Initiatives Administrative Officer
    (858) 534-5840

    The Chancellor Initiatives Administrative Officer serves as a primary partner with the Associate Chancellor/Chief of Staff and the Associate Chancellor in the execution of a wide range of activities involving interaction with campus senior leadership to further the Chancellor’s initiatives; handles sensitive and confidential projects and issues; leads and/or participates on policy and planning committees and working groups across campus; and provides strategy development for organizational or research initiatives. 

  • Jessica Brown

    Jessica Brown

    Senior Director of Executive Communications

    The Senior Director of Executive Communications develops a wide range of strategic communications on behalf of the Chancellor to broadly communicate the Chancellor's vision and initiatives to advance UC San Diego. This position provides high-level counsel to the Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff, as well as the Associate Chancellor, regarding all aspects of the Chancellor's leadership and serves on the senior leadership team of the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer. The senior director drafts content to broadly communicate the Chancellor's vision, researches, writes, edits and catalogs remarks, and prepares speeches and presentations that are delivered by the chancellor to internal and external audiences.

  • Cairo Williams

    Cairo Williams

    Assistant Director of Executive Communications
    The Assistant Director of Executive Communications manages incoming email correspondence for the Office of the Chancellor, and researches, drafts, edits and coordinates approvals for executive leadership content to broadly communicate the Chancellor's vision and initiatives that advance UC San Diego.
  • Christiana Gerber Honnet

    Christiana Gerber Honnet

    Assistant Director of Geisel House and Chancellor's Events
    (858) 822-5911

    The Assistant Director of Audrey Geisel University House is responsible for assisting in the overall operations and upkeep of this Registered Historical University property. Primary duties also include assisting in preparation efforts at Audrey Geisel University House before and after events, and activities sponsored or hosted by the Chancellor and/or the Associate of the Chancellor.

  • Rosie Goldberg

    Rosie Goldberg

    Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
    (858) 534-5335

    The Executive Assistant to the Chancellor provides support and advice to the Chancellor on a wide range of issues involving the highest level of administrative work. This position serves as primary contact for the Chancellor, manages the Chancellor’s day-to-day schedule, plans and coordinates the Chancellor’s extensive travel schedule and undertakes unique special projects, as assigned by the Associate Chancellor/Chief of Staff on behalf of the Chancellor.

  • Claire Hopkins

    Claire Hopkins

    Director of Geisel House and Chancellor's Events
    (858) 534-3774

    The Director of Audrey Geisel University House and Chancellor's Events serves as the key liaison with the Special Events & Protocol Office in planning events hosted by the Chancellor.  This position is responsible for planning and managing the various events that take place at Audrey Geisel University House, as well as overseeing all day-to-day operations, maintenance, and upkeep of the property.

  • Andrew Basom-Turpin

    Andrew Basom-Turpin

    (858) 534-9533
    Business Operations Coordinator

    The Business Operations Coordinator is primarily responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Chancellor’s immediate office and ensuring the orderly functioning of the unit. The position administers the financial operations, reconciles financial matters, coordinates travel and meeting arrangements for executive staff, and recommends and implements changes and solutions.

Business Office Staff

  • Aileen Serrano

    Aileen Serrano

    Director, Chancellor's Business Office
    (858) 534-1699

    The Director has primary responsibility for the administrative operations of the Chancellor’s immediate office and its administrative units. Provides oversight and management on all aspects of human resources, budget and financial operations, business operations, space and facilities. Works closely with department leaders in strategic planning and implementation of departmental initiatives and programs. Directs and supervises the Chancellor’s Business Office.

  • Jocelyn Pacheco

    Jocelyn Pacheco

    Director, Business and Fiscal Affairs
    (858) 534-3993

    The Director is responsible for centralized resource analysis and business operations management for the Chancellor’s immediate office and its administrative units. Manages the operating budgets and oversees the implementation of protocols and guidelines to ensure that controls are in place for accurate reporting of the Chancellor’s Office and Audrey Geisel University House business activities.

  • Alyssa Cunanan

    Alyssa Cunanan

    Lead Personnel & Financial Analyst
    (858) 534-8573

    The Lead Personnel & Financial Analyst serves as the central personnel resource for the Chancellor's immediate office and its administrative units as a seasoned, experienced professional resolving the full range of HR-related issues. Serves as a resource and point of contact for the administrative units on financial operations providing training, support and guidance.

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    Vanessa Nuñez

    Personnel & Financial Analyst

    The Personnel & Financial Analyst supports the administration of human resources and fiscal services for the Chancellor's immediate office and administrative units. This position supports and manages a variety of personnel, classification/compensation, recruitment, payroll, timekeeping, and financial actions for all units. Serves as a Department Security Administrator DSA.

Campus and Community Relations

  • Roberta Camarena

    Roberta Camarena

    Director of Chancellor Community Relations
    (858) 761-6093

    The Director of Chancellor Community Relations provides leadership, oversight and management of the Chancellor’s outreach programs. This position reports directly to the Associate Chancellor/Chief of Staff with indirect reporting to the Executive Director of State and Local Government and Community Relations. The role identifies, develops and supports opportunities that promote the goals and objectives of the university throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties and the cross-border region.

Campus Counsel

  • Daniel W. Park

    Daniel W. Park

    Chief Campus Counsel
    (858) 822-1236

    Reporting to the Chancellor and to the Vice President for Legal Affairs & General Counsel, Dan is the chief attorney for the UC San Diego campus. Dan provides legal advice, retains outside counsel, manages litigation, reviews university policies, and works closely with other administrative offices to ensure legal compliance and to respond to disputes. Dan is a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet and the UC General Counsel’s systemwide leadership team.

  • Dennis Klein

    Dennis Klein

    Associate Campus Counsel
    (858) 822-1236