Staff

Ben receiving his degree at graduation

December 20, 2022

Ben Aguigui

Graduate programs I advise Provides guidance on key academic milestones. Reviews and processes eForms and applications, including advancement to candidacy, qualifying exams, academic plan changes, exception requests, and special enrollment petitions. Reviews master’s theses and doctoral dissertations to ensure they meet Graduate Division, UC Library,…
Lisa García Bedolla

July 5, 2019

Lisa García Bedolla

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…
Martha Chavez

January 25, 2023

Martha Chavez

Manages the Office of Graduate Diversity (OGD) staff to support the outreach to, recruitment, admission, academic success, and graduation of students who will enrich the diversity of graduate programs at the University of California, Berkeley. Provides students from historically underrepresented backgrounds with graduate resources regarding the admissions process, academic support,…
Ken Mahru headshot

October 21, 2019

Ken Mahru

Supervises Student Funding staff (i.e., Fellowships and Student Academic Appointments) and manages all operational functions related to the graduate student funding enterprise Analysis, policy, and business process development related to graduate student funding for Berkeley campus; training and support for campus partners and departmental advisors Leads divisional audit, compliance, and security functions…
Jen Denton

June 26, 2019

Jennifer Denton

Prospective and current student communications and marketing Website, email campaign and publication management Graduate Division publications Development communications GradNews, Graduate Division’s e-newsletter Social media Event communications…

October 2, 2014

Marcia G. Riley

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…
Sabrina Soracco headshot

October 2, 2014

Sabrina Soracco

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…

October 1, 2014

Jeret Lemontt

Senior advisor to Graduate Division leadership and campus on graduate educational policy matters. Advises on development of new or proposed changes to graduate educational policy. Advises on and oversees academic program requests for exceptions to or waivers from graduate educational policy. Advises on the development of new graduate degree and…
Shelley Kim headshot

October 1, 2014

Shelley Kim

Oversees the day-to-day operations for graduate admissions and the admission application system Collaborates with campus partners to develop and implement a diverse, inclusive, and holistic vision and strategy to accomplish the university’s admissions, recruitment, and enrollment goals…
Sarah Acosta

January 4, 2022

Sarah Acosta

Provides general support to current and prospective graduate students from low-income, historically underrepresented, and first generation backgrounds as first point of contact through [email protected] email. Coordinates logistical and business processes for day-to-day and annual events of the Office for Graduate Diversity, McNair Scholars Program, and American Indian Graduate Program.

December 4, 2017

Britney Stewart

Oversees the operations of the Graduate Degrees Team and the business processes, forms, and policies used to support academic progress. Directly handles embargo extensions, delivery of manuscripts to ProQuest, makes recommendations to leadership and campus partners based on departments’ feedback, and serves as a thought partner…

October 2, 2014

Zackary Hull

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 Please note: All…
Headshot of Laurie Frazier

October 2, 2014

Laurie Frazier

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…
Gina Farales Blanco

October 1, 2014

Gina Farales Blanco

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) Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship (DDRA) Mentored Research Award Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellowships for Advanced Study Philip Brett LGBT Studies Fellowship Foreign…
Nancy headshot

October 1, 2014

Nancy Paniagua

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…
Erinn Brooks headshot

September 28, 2021

Erinn Brooks

Plans and executes outreach strategies, and extends the reach of ideas to prospective and current students, staff, faculty, and donors, and drives engagement through web, social, and traditional media. Helps oversee editorial voice and crafts compelling written content. Liaises with students and staff to publicize stories about graduate student excellence.
headshot of Brandi Catanese

July 1, 2021

Brandi Wilkins Catanese

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

October 1, 2014

Rochele Fraga

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…
Headshot of Kara Ganter

September 22, 2020

Kara Ganter, JD

Serve as strategic advisor to executive leaders and key stakeholders on initiatives related to instruction, technology innovation, AI strategy, policies and systems supporting organizational direction and change Serves on campus committees, communities of practice, working groups and/or advisory boards with the goal of representing and advancing the interests of the…