Our Staff

Kate Antonovics, Ph.D. (she/her)

Provost
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Provost Antonovics received her undergraduate degree from Brown University and her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin. In addition to being the Provost of Seventh College, she is also a Professor of Economics.

Sara Eckardt

Operations and Program Analyst
First Generation Student
Hometown: Marysville, California

Sara received her B.S. in Cognitive Science with a Specialization in Human Cognition at UC San Diego. 

See Sara for: Scheduling meetings with the Provost

Advice to Seventh College students: Not everything works out in your favor, but you can learn or affirm something with every experience! Take advantage of your time at UC San Diego. 

Shannon O'Brien, Ph.D.

Dean of Academic Advising
Triton Transfer Ally
Hometown: Brielle, New Jersey (Jersey Shore)

Shannon received her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University, M.A. in Counseling from The College of New Jersey, and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Temple University. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and California Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). 

See Shannon For: Degree requirements, University policies, academic opportunities, major exploration

Advice to Seventh College students: Pursue educational opportunities that interest you, ask for help when you need it!

Cyrus Steele, M.S. (He/Him)

Assistant Dean of Academic Advising
Hometown: San Diego, California

Cyrus received undergraduate degrees in Economics and Psychology from UC San Diego and an M.S. in Academic Advising from Kansas State University. 

See Cyrus For: Degree requirements, University policies, academic opportunities, major exploration

Advice to Seventh College students: Try something new, whether it be an engaging hobby or a student organization that interests you!

Vanesa de Boer, M.A. (She/Her)

Senior Academic Advisor
Triton Transfer Ally
Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, California

Vanesa received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside and M.A. in Education: Counseling from the University of Redlands.

See Vanesa For: Degree requirements, University policies, academic opportunities, major exploration

Advice to Seventh College students: Take this time to explore your interests! Seek opportunities to connect with the various communities at UC San Diego and reach out when you need support.

Stephanie Pineda, M.A. (She/Her/Ella)

Senior Academic Advisor
First-Generation College Student, Triton Transfer Ally, Additional Language Spoken - Spanish
Hometown: Escondido, California

Stephanie received her B.S. in Human Biology from UC San Diego and an M.A. in Higher Education Leadership from the University of San Diego.

See Stephanie for: Degree requirements, University policies, academic opportunities, major exploration

Advice to Seventh College students: Take risks, enjoy your undergraduate experience, and never be afraid to ask for help!

Kristin Guzman (She/Her)

Academic Advisor
Triton Transfer Ally
Hometown: San Diego, California

Kristin received B.A. degrees in Education Sciences and Criminology, Law, and Society from UC Irvine. 

See Kristin for: Seventh College degree requirements

Advice to Seventh College students: Breathe in moments of stress, seek help during times of confusion, and laugh at the little things.

Claire Sun (She/They)

Academic Advisor
Triton Transfer Ally
Hometown: San Diego, California

Claire received her B.S. in Biochemistry and Marine Biology from UCLA. 

See Claire for: Seventh College degree requirements

Advice to Seventh College students: Be flexible when planning your schedule and goals - things don't always go according to plan, and that's okay!

Christine Chacón (She/Her/Ella)

Assistant Academic Advisor
First-Generation College Student, Additional Language Spoken - Spanish
Hometown: Van Nuys, California

Christine received her B.A in Sociology and B.S in Education Sciences from UC San Diego.

See Christine for: Seventh College degree requirements

Advice to Seventh College students: Take your education into your own hands! There’s lots of information at your disposal; you just have to know where to find it, and we’re here to help!

Sydney Gong (She/Her)

Peer Academic Advisor
Hometown: San Ramon, California

Sydney is an undergraduate student double majoring in History and World Literature and Culture.

Advice to Seventh College students: Don’t be afraid to talk to your professors or professional staff! It may be scary at first, but everyone is here to help you!

Lois Ramilo (She/Her)

Peer Academic Advisor
Additional Language Spoken - Tagalog
Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Lois is an undergraduate student majoring in Political Science - International Relations and minoring in French Langauge Studies.

Advice to Seventh College students: Before pursuing anything, always know your why before your how. Enjoy college and don’t feel like you have to have everything figured out immediately, we’re here to help you!

Josh Brimmeier, M.Ed. (He/Him/They)

Dean of Student Affairs
First-Generation College Student, Transfer College Student, Triton Transfer Ally
Hometown: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Josh received an Associate's degree in Business from Central Penn College, a B.S. in Psychology from Penn State University, and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies from Iowa State University.

See Josh for: Questions about anything related to UC San Diego, I may not know the answer, but I can point you in the right direction!

Carey Wallace, M.S. (She/Her)

Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
First-Generation College Student, Triton Transfer Ally
Hometown: Almond, Wisconsin

Carey earned her B.A. in Communications and M.S. in College Student Development.

See Carey for: All things related to student life: student leadership opportunities, student organization advising (7CSC, Photosynthesis, new organizations), student conduct, access to campus resources

Advice to Seventh College students: Explore your out-of-class opportunities and get involved right away - it is easier to add co-curricular experiences from the start than it is to try squeezing things in later in the quarter.

Jasmine Belleza, M.Ed. (She/Her)

Coordinator of Student Activities
Hometown: Los Angeles, California (West Covina)

Jasmine received her B.A. from San Diego State University and M.Ed. from UCLA. She enjoys working with Seventh students and staff on event coordination, leadership development, and establishing meaningful traditions at the College. 

See Jasmine for: Leadership development opportunities, building community at Seventh College

Advice to Seventh College students: Get involved and explore your passions!

Perry Palleja, M.A. (He/Him)

Student Care & Accountability Specialist
First-Generation College Student
Hometown: San Diego, California

Perry received a B.A. in Communications from CSU San Marcos and an M.A. in Postsecondary Education Leadership with an emphasis in Student Affairs from San Diego State University. 

See Perry For: Students' transition to college, promoting DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) work,  assisting students with crisis and emergency response.

Advice to Seventh College Students: Get involved in the campus community and in something you feel passionate about. Don’t overstretch yourself with too many activities, but if you commit to one or two,  UC San Diego will start to feel more like a place you can call home.

Kirstin Pianalto, M.A. (She/Her)

Senior New Student Programs Specialist
Triton Transfer Ally
Hometown: Riverside, California

Kirstin received a B.S. in Psychology with a Specialization in Developmental Psychology from UC San Diego's Revelle College and an M.A. in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University. 

See Kirstin for: New Student Orientation, Triton Day, social media requests for Seventh College

Advice to Seventh College students: Pursue your passions, get involved, and ask for help when you need it!

Jordan Hinze (He/Him)

Student Affairs Program Assistant
Transfer College Student, Triton Transfer Ally
Hometown: San Marcos, California

Jordan attended CSU Sacramento and Palomar College, and then transferred to UC San Diego to earn his B.A. in Political Science and Minor in Environmental Studies.

See Jordan for: Starting a student club or organization, resources/things to do in San Diego

Advice to Seventh College students: Build a networks of staff, professors, and peers before graduating. Also, explore San Diego!

Tracy Dorfman (SHe/Her/Hers)

Hometown: San Diego, California

See Tracy for: Appointments with Dean of Student Affairs, Space reservations.

Advice to Seventh College students: Enjoy the events within Seventh College, Ask questions and use all resources available to you.

Cari Ann Urabe, Ph.D. (She/Her)

Director of Residence Life & Associate Dean of Student Affairs 
Triton Transfer Ally
Hometown: Mililani, Hawaii

Cari received a B.A. in Business from Eastern Washington University, M.A. in Student Development Administration from Seattle University, and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University.

See Cari for: Opportunities to get involved in Residence Life (volunteer or paid positions), Feedback about the Seventh College Residence Life experience, Students of Concern, Connection to Resources

Advice to Seventh College students: Take advantage of all the different opportunities that are available to you (join or start clubs, travel abroad, seek leadership opportunities, explore off campus resources, engage with people from different backgrounds, get to know faculty and staff on campus).

Assistant Director of Residence Life

Patty Lyczkowski, Ed.D. (She/Her)

Assistant Director of Residence Life
First-Generation College Student, Triton Transfer Ally
Hometown: Bridgewater, New Jersey

Patty received her B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University, M.A. in Student Affairs from Ball State University, and Ed.D. from University of Southern California. 

See Patty for: Support for Roommate and Apartmentmate Conflict, Assistance with Room Changes, Information on Residential Community Standards and Student Conduct Process

Advice to Seventh College students: Never be shy when it comes to asking questions and seeking guidance! Staff are happy to to provide support so students are successful.

Sarah Ruelas, M.Ed. (She/Her/Hers)

Sarah received her B.A. at UC Riverside and her M.Ed. at University of Southern California.

See Sarah For: Personal Challendes, Room Conflicts, Resident Assistant Program, and how to get involved on campus.

Advice to Seventh College students: Make time to regularly do something you enjoy.

Madenn Walikis, M.Ed. (they/them)

Residence Life Housing Assistant
Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA

Madenn received their B.A. in Dance as well as their M.Ed. from the University of California, San Diego.

See Madenn for: Room changes, housing contract terminations, and general housing and residence life information

Advice to Seventh College students: Get involved however you can on campus and find your people! A good support system of friends and chosen family really makes all the difference for your UCSD experience.

Dereck Garcia (He/Him/His)

Residence Life Administrative Assistant
First Generation College Student, Triton Transfer Ally, Additional Language Spoken - Spanish
Hometown: Vista, CA

Dereck received a B.S. in Human Developmental Studies from UC San Diego. In his role his focus is on the fiscal and logistical side of the Residence Life Office. He manages the RA P-Cards and T&E cards, office spending, and supports the day-to-day of the office. He also assists with the front desk, and provides support to the Director and Assistant Directors as they need with programs, purchasing, and policy advice.

See Dereck for: Student conduct meetings, general residence life/campus information

Advice to Seventh College students: Learning does not stop at the classroom! Make connections with your peers and staff to create a network that can support and nurture you for years to come!

Jill Gladstein, Ph.D. (She/Her)

Director of Synthesis Program, Full Teaching Professor
Changemaker Fellow
Hometown: New Jersey

Jill earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from University of Wisconsin - Madison, and an M.S. Ed. in TESOL and Ph.D. in Reading, Writing and Literacy from the University of Pennsylvania.

Brenna Gormally, Ph.D. (She/Her)

Associate Director of Project-Based Learning
Triton Transfer Ally
Hometown: Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Brenna received her B.A. in Biology from Pomona College and her Ph.D. in Biology from Tufts University. She is interested in breaking down the traditional classroom and empowering students through project-based learning. 

See Brenna for: Synthesis 100, Teaching Assistant (TA) opportunities, project-based learning

Advice to Seventh College students: Feel confident saying "I don't know," and be excited to discover the answer.

Leslie Meyer(She/Her/Hers)

Interim Associate Director of Writing
Additional Language(s) Spoken: Spanish, Portuguese
Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa

 Leslie graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Global Studies and Spanish. She received her MA in Latin American Studies with a concentration in International Migration from UC San Diego.

See Leslie for: I love when Synthesis students stop by my office to talk about their writing, as well as their academic and career interests. Please don't hesitate to reach out!

Advice to Seventh College students: “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life.” --Anne Lamott

Jessica Pham, MPA (She/Her)

Assistant Director, Project Operations
Hometown: Corona, CA

Jessica received her B.A. in Political Science from UC San Diego, Master of Public Administration (MPA) from San Diego State University.

See Jessica for: Synthesis 100, Synthesis project and program, Information about Synthesis Program ideas

Advice to Seventh College students: Stay curious! Learning opportunities outside of the classroom is one of the greatest joys of the undergraduate experience.

Nathaniel Edds, M.Ed. (He/Him)

Program Coordinator
Hometown: Singapore

Nathaniel received his B.A. from Denison University and M.Ed. from University of Southern California. Nathaniel is passionate about interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to education and is thrilled to support the Synthesis Program.

See Nathaniel for: Information about Synthesis Program and writing programs, TA applications

Advice to Seventh College students: Relish the beauty of learning!

Vivien Yeh (she/her)

Synthesis Program Intern (SYNtern)
Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Vivien is an undergraduate student majoring in Business Psychology. 

Advice to Seventh College students: “Maybe I made a mistake yesterday, but yesterday’s me is still me. I am who I am today, with all my faults. Tomorrow I might be a tiny bit wiser, and that’s me, too. These faults and mistakes are what I am, making up the brightest stars in the constellation of my life.” - Kim Namjoon

Gila Cohen

Noreen Marsland