Contact the Graduate Division

Lisa García Bedolla became the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and the Dean of the Graduate Division in July 2019. The chief advocate for graduate education and research at Berkeley, she is a member of academic and administrative leadership groups convened by the Chancellor and the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost. She works with the Graduate Council of the Academic Senate on policies that sustain the world-renowned excellence of more than 100 graduate programs. The Dean of the Graduate Division ensures equity and fairness across the disciplines, collaborates across the spectrum of campus stakeholders, and builds diverse sources of academic, financial, personal, and professional development support for more than 11,000 doctoral and master’s students throughout their studies.

• Provides leadership and vision for graduate student professional development, GSI Teaching and Resource Center
• Supports the work of Graduate Council standing committees
• Supervises and guides the work of Graduate Division professional development staff
• Works with graduate students, faculty, and departmental staff to ensure compliance with Graduate Council policy on GSI preparation for teaching
• Designs, oversees, and evaluates centralized programs for GSIs
• Designs and facilitates workshops on a wide range of topics pertaining to teaching and mentoring in the Graduate Division and in departments
• Teaches GSPDP 301, Mentoring in Higher Education, and GSPDP 375, Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
• Co-directs the Summer Institute for Preparing Future Faculty

• Oversees fellowship matters and other student financial support matters
• Oversees student well-being and welfare issues
• Oversees Graduate Student Professional Development programs and liases with the Graduate Council subcommittee on Graduate Professional Development
• Represents the Graduate Division in academic program reviews (shared with Gail Brager)
• Associate Professor of English

• Oversees admission allotments
  
• Reviews academic program proposals and requests for exceptions to academic policies
  
• Oversees the Interdisciplinary PhD program; the GSI Teaching and Resource Center, Graduate Writing Center, and Mentoring programs
• Represents Graduate Division in supporting the campus’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
• Serves as liaison to the Graduate Council of the Academic Senate
• Represents the Graduate Division in academic program reviews (shared with Eric Falci)
  
• Professor of Architecture, Building Science
• Director of the Center for Environmental Design Research
• Associate Director, Center for the Built Environment

• Manages the Graduate Division’s budget: guides annual, monthly and quarterly analysis for variances and budget target monitoring (Campus Solutions, CalPlanning, CalReporting, CalAnswers), and budgets for fellowships and Graduate Division Operations.
• Acts as Graduate Division human resources representative. Works as liaison to Berkeley Regional Services team, BEARS, and our central HR partner.
• Oversees Graduate Division administration: monitors general ledger for variances and deficits, reimbursements for travel and entertainment, GSR childcare reimbursements procurement and payment to vendors, facilities and space management. Oversees fund management.

• Manages the staff and overall operations in the Admissions, Fellowships, Appointments, Degrees, and Student Life units
• Implements new policies and executes changes to existing policies related to graduate student services
• Approves exceptions as delegated by the Associate Deans to policies and regulations and makes recommendations to the Director of Academic Affairs and Associate Deans on specific issues or cases
• Advises departments and students on issues of probation, lapsing, and dismissal, and sensitive student matters
• Oversees processes to ensure compliance of students and department administrators with existing requirements and policies related to academic progress, enrollment, appointment eligibility, terms of financial awards, admissions procedures
• Develops communication plans and schedules trainings and informational sessions to inform and educate campus academic departments, administrative offices, and outside agencies
• Acts as coordinator of Graduate Division role in instances of deaths of graduate students
• Represents the Graduate Student Services unit to the campus community and relevant external constituencies

• Graduate admissions and fellowship planning
• Institutional data reporting
• Graduate student surveys and research

• Advisor and subject matter expert on graduate educational policy.
• Consults with proposers on new graduate degree and non-degree proposals, as well as changes in the degree requirements of existing graduate programs.
• Advises on formal graduate student appeals.
• Acts as liaison to the Graduate Council.
• Coordinates graduate group reviews conducted by the Graduate Council.
• Represents the Graduate Dean on academic student employee contract negotiation teams in coordination with Labor Relations.

• Provides executive assistance to the Graduate Deans.
• Provides back-up for handling calendar requests for the Deans (please send to graddean@berkeley.edu, not to individual email addresses).
• Provides writing and editorial assistance to the Deans and senior staff; works as member of Communications team.

• Organizes monthly Graduate Student Advising Officers (GSAO) Meetings
• Maintains delegation of authority information for Graduate Division
• Graduate Division facilities
• Sproul Hall building liaison
• Coordinates business functions and processes
• Manages graduate development events and plans other events
• Monitors gradrsvp@berkeley.edu and gradsupport@berkeley.edu email accounts

• Campus-wide Institutional Survey Research and data collection
• Institutional data reporting
• Represents UC Berkeley for system-wide survey needs
• Provides support for Graduate Division technical functions and processes

• Develops, implements, and leads all aspects of a comprehensive development operating plan to secure funding for the Graduate Division
• Creates and executes strategies for the identification, cultivation, stewardship and solicitation of major donors
• Develops and maintains a plan for the systematic cultivation of donors to ensure their growing commitment to the university
• Develops and implements aggressive major donor cultivation/solicitation programs and fundraising opportunities
• Works collegially with the campus-wide units and their senior staff to ensure the free flow of information and solicit cooperation
• Integrates fundraising requirements into the budget process

• Organizes monthly Graduate Student Advising Officers (GSAO) Meetings
• Maintains delegation of authority information for Graduate Division
• Graduate Division facilities
• Sproul Hall building liaison
• Coordinates business functions and processes
• Manages graduate development events and plans other events
• Monitors gradrsvp@berkeley.edu and gradsupport@berkeley.edu email accounts

• Manages the online Application for Graduate Admissions and Fellowships and the Jazzee AMS and Review Systems
• Processes database access requests and provides database training
• Manages the Admissions Allocations
• Coordinates the SID assignment for newly admitted graduate students
• Transfers new graduate students’ records to the Registrar’s office and determines administrative blocks
• Responds to credit card questions and refunds application fee
• Monitors the gradletters@berkeley.edu e-mail account

• Advises departmental staff, faculty, applicants, sponsoring agencies, and exchange programs pertaining to Graduate Admissions requirements
• Evaluates academic records to determine admissions eligibility
• Processes exception requests and approves registration and/or issues administrative blocks
• Researches higher education systems for accreditation and degree programs comparability with Graduate Division standards
• Specializes in Spanish speaking countries
• Conducts training workshops for departments and information sessions for prospective international applicants
• Serves as a liaison for the LASPAU and GTU programs
• Monitors the gradadm@berkeley.edu e-mail account

• Advises departmental staff, faculty, applicants, sponsoring agencies, and exchange programs pertaining to Graduate Admissions requirements
• Evaluates academic records to determine admissions eligibility
• Processes exception requests and approves registration and/or issues administrative blocks
• Researches higher education systems for accreditation and degree programs comparability with Graduate Division standards
• Specializes in Europe and the Middle East
• Conducts training workshops for departments and information sessions for prospective international applicants
• Serves as a liaison for the EAP, IIE, and Fulbright programs
• Monitors the gradadm@berkeley.edu e-mail account

• Advises departmental staff, faculty, applicants, sponsoring agencies, and exchange programs pertaining to Graduate Admissions requirements
• Evaluates academic records to determine admissions eligibility
• Processes exception requests and approves registration and/or issues administrative blocks
• Researches higher education systems for accreditation and degree programs comparability with Graduate Division standards
• Specializes in China, India, and the Middle East
• Conducts training workshops for departments and information sessions for prospective international applicants
• Serves as a liaison for the VEF (Vietnam Education Foundation) program
• Monitors the gradadm@berkeley.edu e-mail account

• Provides guidance to students, staff and faculty on policy surrounding Graduate Student Academic Employment (Graduate Student Instructor, Graduate Student Researcher, Acting Instructor-Graduate Student, Reader & Tutor appointments)
• Fee Remission Program (benefits) for qualifying graduate student academic appointments (GSI, GSR, AI-GS, Reader & Tutor)

• Blanket Approvals
• Graduate Group membership (including Designated Emphasis faculty lists)
• GLOW access
• Non-student specific requests

Graduate programs I advise

• Monitors Graduate Student progress toward the Masters and Ph.D. degree.

Graduate programs I advise

• Monitors Graduate Student progress toward the Masters and Ph.D. degree.

• Front desk assistance for Graduate Services (Degrees, Fellowships, Admissions, Appointments)
• Certificate of Completions
• Filing Fee
• Exchange Programs

Coordinates the following fellowship programs:

• University multi-year fellowships and DCF (by department)
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (by department)
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program (IIE)
• Mentored Research Award

Analyzes fellowship administration and department activities.

Administers the following fellowship programs:

• University multi-year fellowships and DCF (by department)
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (by department)
• Conference Travel Grant
• Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship (DDRA)
• UC MEXUS-CONACYT Doctoral Fellowship for Mexican Students
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) fellowships
• National Physical Science Consortium
• LBL fee remissions
• Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship
• Department of Energy CSGF & NNSA SSGF Fellowships

Administers the following fellowship programs:

• Graduate Opportunity Program Master’s Fellowship
• Graduate Division Student Parent Grant

Administers the following fellowship programs:

• University multi-year fellowships and DCF (by department)
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (by department)
• Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowship
• Ford Foundation Predoctoral Diversity Fellowships
• Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) 
• Hellman Fellowship
• UC Dissertation-Year Fellowship

• Support graduate students around issues that affect their well-being — such as health education and wellness, housing, parenting support, community-building, and campus climate
• Help create a more inclusive community for all students
• Coordinate opportunities for engagement and advocate for the unique needs of graduate students
• Represent the Graduate Division on various campus committees to address graduate student needs, including campus partners in the Graduate Assembly, Student Affairs, and other units that offer services to graduate students

• Provides leadership and vision in matters pertaining to international GSIs and their oral communication and teaching development needs
• Directs all aspects of the Language Proficiency Testing Program for prospective GSIs who do not speak English as a native language
• Administers oral English language proficiency tests
• Provides consultations and feedback for international GSIs on oral English proficiency and teaching

• Provides one-on-one consultations for GSIs and classroom observations of GSIs
• Designs and facilitates pedagogical workshops for GSIs offered in the Graduate Division and in departments
• Oversees the hiring and training of workshop leaders for Fall and Spring GSI Teaching Conferences
• Contributes to annual update of Center’s online ethics course for GSIs

• Provides one-on-one consultations for GSIs and classroom observations of GSIs
• Designs and facilitates pedagogical workshops for GSIs offered in the Graduate Division and in departments
• Hires and trains workshop leaders for Fall and Spring Teaching Conference
• Contributes to annual update of Center’s online ethics course for GSIs

• Designs and oversees Center publications (print, electronic, video)
• Designs and manages Center website
• Plans and coordinates Center events
• Manages Center’s infrastructure and day-to-day operations

• Teaches Language Proficiency Program oral English proficiency courses for prospective GSIs
• Assists in updating Language Proficiency resources on Center website
• Designs and conducts conference sessions on the Language of Teaching at the annual International GSI Teaching Conference

• • Advises students and departments on policies and procedures for GSI preparation for teaching
  • Provides student service support for the Language Proficiency Program
  • Advises students on Teaching Certificate requirements and manages enrollment and completions
  • Coordinates and manages all Center events
  • Contributes to Center website

• Provides leadership and vision for programs that address the academic and professional writing needs of graduate students campuswide
• Develops and conducts workshops, writing groups, and boot camps on academic and professional writing both in the Graduate Division and in departments
• Provides one-on-one consultations on academic and professional writing.
• Co-directs the Summer Institute for Preparing Future Faculty
• Teaches GSPDP 301, Mentoring in Higher Education, and GSPDP 320, Academic Writing for Graduate Students

• Coordinates programming and activities to promote the goals of the Graduate Diversity Program (recruitment and retention of a diverse graduate student population and to provide campus leadership on diversity matters)
• Provides information and advice to current and prospective UCB students
• Represents UC Berkeley at nationwide graduate outreach events

• Cultivates a welcoming and supportive environment as first contact and administrative support to the unit
• Works closely with campus partners and departments to ensure smooth logistical processes
• Supervises and trains undergraduate student assistants, monitors work schedules and office arrangements for student staff, graduate student workers/interns, and staff associated with the GiGS program.
• Assists with the coordination of the Office for Graduate Diversity ­sponsored programs and events, such as Graduate Diversity Day, Getting into Graduate School (GiGS) mentoring program, and STEM-FYI

• Directs and oversees the American Indian Graduate Program
• Plans and implements academic, programmatic, cultural, outreach, and professional development services provided to American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students
• Collaborates with campus partners to provide advising and leadership on ethnic specific and multicultural issues
• Provides assistance to the Native graduate students
• Manages AIGP events, and daily office functions

• Serves as a confidential, neutral place for students and postdocs to discuss their difficult campus related issues
• Explores and provides options to visitors for possible resolutions to their situations
• Facilitates or mediates resolutions between parties
• Provides individual coaching and group and training on communication, conflict styles and feedback
• Sets budget and direction for the department

• Serves as the first point of contact for visitors
• Conducts intake regarding the nature of the needs of the client
• Schedules appointments
• Conducts outreach and training related to conflict resolution
• Gather and analyze confidential data and prepare reports to share trends and make recommendations for systematic/organizational changes

• Student communications
• Web management and content
• Graduate Division publications
• Development communications
• GradNews, Graduate Division’s e-newsletter
• Social media
• Event communications

• Manages nine Lectureships (open to the public):
  •  Five Graduate Council Lectureships
  • Three Graduate Division Lectureships
  • Tanner Lectures on Human Values
• Manages large scale graduate student events and new faculty events:
  • Distinguished Fellows Reception
  • New Graduate Student Orientation
  • New Faculty Reception
  • Assists with donor engagement (regarding visiting lecturer events).

• Oversees the Graduate Division’s social media channels
• Develops multimedia content for digital dissemination
• Supports the Graduate Division’s recruitment initiatives
• Promotes Graduate Division news and events

• Manages the Graduate Division’s budget: guides annual, monthly and quarterly analysis for variances and budget target monitoring (Campus Solutions, CalPlanning, CalReporting, CalAnswers), and budgets for fellowships and Graduate Division Operations.
• Acts as Graduate Division human resources representative. Works as liaison to Berkeley Regional Services team, BEARS, and our central HR partner.
• Oversees Graduate Division administration: monitors general ledger for variances and deficits, reimbursements for travel and entertainment, GSR childcare reimbursements procurement and payment to vendors, facilities and space management. Oversees fund management.

• Gradlink Fund Balances and income information
• GFMP (Graduate Fellowship Matching Program)
• Graduate Division contracts and grants (e.g. NSF, FLAS)

• Analytical support for complex budget, financial, or resource analysis
• Advises departmental staff and students on the Fee Remission — financial questions
• Gathers, analyzes, prepares and summarizes recommendations for financial and/or resource plans, including annual resource allocation approaches, trended future requirements, operating forecasts, sources and uses, et cetera
• Coordinates and implements department budget allocations, conceives of and maintains department chart of accounts or other data management tools, and related business processes. Input and update Budget in CalPanning
• Manages financial aspects of campus and intercampus GSI/GSR/Reader/Tutor appointments
• Cybersource – Research and reconcile application fee data across campus and Graduate Division systems
• Assists Graduate Division Information Systems Unit business analysts and Graduate Division Fiscal Management team by producing periodic reports
• PS Query developer of financial reports for Graduate Division

• Organizes monthly Graduate Student Advising Officers (GSAO) Meetings
• Maintains delegation of authority information for Graduate Division
• Graduate Division facilities
• Sproul Hall building liaison
• Coordinates business functions and processes
• Manages graduate development events and plans other events
• Monitors gradrsvp@berkeley.edu and gradsupport@berkeley.edu email accounts

• Business systems analyst for student records, advising and campus community
• Campus Solutions APR expert
• Systems strategy lead

• Business systems analyst for the online graduate application
• Slate application system expert
• Application reporting lead

• Development and support of Graduate Division software applications
• Slate Support
• Database and Server Support
• Systems Integration Lead