Erica Marie Lennard
Leader | Problem Solver | Collaborator | Innovator
It has been a privilege to serve at UC San Diego for over 20 years, with career experiences spanning Student Affairs, Human Resources and Academic Personnel, and Event and Project Coordination. For the past decade, I have served as the Director of Student Affairs for the Department Chemistry and Biochemistry, providing leadership for all aspects of our graduate and undergraduate student services and mission.
Education
University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
B.A., Psychology (Minor: US History) Degree Completed: 2000
University of San Diego (USD)
Paralegal Certification Certification Completed: 2004 (Honors)
One-year (ABA-approved) program to develop practical skills on the paralegal profession, including legal analysis, research, and writing. Foundational curriculum covering legal services in the private and public sectors, including intellectual property, family law, criminal law, and contracts.
Optimize Certification
Optimize Coach Certification Certification Completed: 2022 (Class VIII)
Optimize By Heroic (www.heroic.us/optimize/coach). 300 day program, to go from from Theory to Practice to Self-Mastery; and Flourish in Energy, Work, and Love.
Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN)
Health Coach Certification Certification Completed: 2010
One-year comprehensive, holistic Health Coach Training Program, covering nutrition science, wellness concepts, coaching methods, and marketing skills.
UCSD Staff Development
UCSD Academic Affairs Business Officer Academy (BOA) Completed Program: 2011
One-year staff enrichment program providing extensive training for a career path as a Business Officer.
WORK EXPERIENCE
UCSD, Division of Graduate Education & Postdoc Affairs
Assistant Dean, Academic Affairs{July 2021 - Present}
- Leadership of the Graduate Academic Affairs unit, serving as a central resource and supporting all graduate programs on campus
- Serve in principle advisory role to the Graduate Dean and Senior Associate Graduate Dean
- Responsible for analysis and development of campus of policies and procedures
UCSD, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Director, Student Affairs and Industry Relations{January 2011 - July 2021}
- Management of the Student Affairs unit, overseeing all aspects of the undergraduate and graduate programs, including day-to-day operations and long-range strategic planning
- Leading a team of eight staff, responsible for recruitment, training, delegation, and mentorship
- Administrative responsibility for all aspects of our graduate programs (PhD, MS, JDP) including admissions, graduate funding/employment, academic requirements, and research progress
- Manage all aspects of our undergraduate program and instructional services, from student advising, annual teaching plans, course scheduling, TA assignments, and enrollment management
- Manage funding involving over $4M (including Block Grant and instructional funds (TAFTE)
- Serve in principle advisory role to Department Chair, COO, Vice Chairs for Education, and faculty Committee Chairs (Graduate Affairs Committee, Undergraduate Affairs Committee, Industrial Relations Committee, Admissions and Recruitment Committee) in analysis and formation of policies and procedures and problem resolution
- Assist with design and implementation of technological infrastructure to support efficient management of student data and reporting, along with tools to support staff functions
- Oversee coordination of departmental NIH T32 Training Grants and other graduate fellowship programs, from proposal submission to program implementation and funding agency compliance
UCSD, Department of Psychology
Manager of Human Resources{July 2009 - January 2011}
- Responsible for managing the Academic Personnel and Human Resources functions for the department
- Analyze, research, develop policy, and serve as principal advisor to Department Chair, MSO, faculty, and staff on issues involving academic recruitments, appointments, reviews, compensation
- Oversee all staff personnel matters, including performance evaluations, reclassifications, separation/layoffs, employee relations, and payroll and timekeeping
- Serve as liaison with central campus offices including Academic Personnel Service, Campus HR, Employee Relations, Labor Relations, and International Center
UCSD, Department of Psychology
Manager of Student Affairs{July 2007 - January 2010}
- Accountable for the overall coordination and management of programmatic activities and curriculum related to the department's academic programs (BA, BS, MA, and PhD)
- Responsible for staff supervision, recruitment, training, and workload distribution for Student Affairs team
- Oversee recruitment and admissions process for PhD graduate program
- Serve as consultant to Chair and faculty committees in analysis and formation of policy/procedures for Student Affairs
- Ensure compliance with department, Academic Senate, and University regulations
- Manage complex budget for teaching funds and graduate student recruitment and support
UCSD, Department of Literature
Academic Advisor{August 2006 - July 2007}
- Advise undergraduate majors / minors in academic decision-making and degree requirements
- Coordinate the complex schedule-building process for all department courses (undergraduate and graduate)
- Review and process a variety of petitions and forms
- Make presentations to prospective UCSD students and/or their parents to provide an overview of the department
- Plan and develop content to promote the department, including brochures, presentations, and website content
- Serve on steering committee for campus-wide advising group, Organization for Department and Program Advisors (ODaPA)
UCSD, California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology
Project Services Manager{March 2003 - August 2006}
- Manage a team of five project and event support staff for Calit2, ensuring the efficient functioning of the institutes’ activities and delivery of exceptional customer service
- Plan and implement policies and procedures for the institute
- Plan high-profile and special events such as conferences, workshops, and research reviews. Coordinate technical demonstrations and building tours
- Contribute to new and ongoing multi-disciplinary research projects and initiatives, including preparing reports, white papers, project documentation, proposals, and presentations
- Serve as a liaison for interactions with corporate partners and community groups
- Initiate and maintain positive working relationships with vendors and campus contacts
- Develop and maintain various websites and databases
UCSD, California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology
Executive Assistant to Associate Director{March 2003 - August 2006}
- Provide high-level administrative support by executing the Associate Director’s goals
- Design multimedia presentations, websites, and marketing materials for the Center for Wireless Communications (CWC)
- Coordinate important events including conferences, research reviews, and annual board meetings
- Assist with the preparation of grant proposals and project reports
- Provide various support services to affiliated faculty and graduate students
- Assist with creating a recruitment/membership plan for CWC industry partners
- Primary contact for industry partners on matters related to membership, proposal submissions, and recruitments
- Make travel arrangements and process purchase orders, payment authorizations and reimbursements
UCSD Extension, Healthcare & Behavioral Sciences
Program Assistant{August 2002 - March 2003}
- Serve as principal contact and coordinator of program service needs
- Provide extensive academic, financial, and administrative support for the department
- Coordinate details of conferences, meetings, certificate programs, and courses
- Participate in planning committees for development of new programs
- Lead for implementing marketing strategies to promote educational programs
- Create and maintain various student, teacher, and course databases
Miva Corporation
Senior Support Engineer{November 2000 - August 2002}
- Senior Support Engineer for leading e-commerce software
- Provide advanced training and guidance for Technical Support Department
- Assist clients, hosting partners and payment gateways with high-level technical issues
- Install web-scripting engine on UNIX and Windows servers
- Provide top-level support, problem resolution, and debugging of software applications
- Develop and maintain online support database for company software
- Assist with organization of annual developer conference
UCSD, California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP)
Program Assistant{July 2000 - November 2000}
- Provide assistance with comprehensive community college outreach and recruitment program
- Assist with coordination of test preparation programs for high school students, and organize annual College Night event
- Provide essential administrative assistance to the Director and serve as primary contact for the Cal-SOAP Consortium
- Recruit, interview, train, and supervise student employees
- Assist with development of marketing strategies, public relations, website design, and maintenance of student databases
UCSD, Library Human Resources
Administrative Assistant{October 1999 - July 2000}
- Responsible for payroll and online timekeeping for 300+ student employees
UCSD Medical Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Administrative Assistant{September 1998 - October 1999}
- Assist financial manager, residency program coordinator, and HR manager.
HIGHLIGHTS
AWARD RECOGNITIONS
- Awardee: 2014-15 UCSD Exemplary Staff Employee of the Year (Chem/Biochem)
- Honoree: 2015 YWCA of San Diego Tribute to Women & Industry Awards (TWIN)
- Nominee: 2013-14 UCSD Exemplary Staff Employee of the Year (Chem/Biochem)
- Nominee: 2012-13 UCSD Exemplary Staff Employee of the Year (Chem/Biochem)
- Nominee: 2009-10 UCSD Exemplary Staff Employee of the Year (Psychology)
Campus Committee Service (Partial List)
- 2021 - Graduate Division Proportional Fee Workgroup (Grad Student Funding Reform)
- 2019 - Enterprise System Renewal- Student Information System (ESR-SIS), Physical Sciences Subject Matter Expert (SME)
- 2019 - Campus Partners Interview Panel, Graduate Division FSU Director
- 2018 - Search Advisory Committee for Dean of the Graduate Division
- 2017 - TA & Graduate Funding Campus Workgroup
- 2016 - Interview Committee for Graduate Division Sloan Scholar Coordinator
- 2016 - Interview Committee for Department of Economics Student Affairs Manager
- 2015 - Search Committee for Division of Biological Sciences Graduate Program Manager
- 2015 - Search Committee for UCSD Director, Industry Engagement - Life Sciences
- 2013 - Division of Physical Sciences Strategic Planning Workgroup
- 2013 - Interview Committee for Graduate Division Graduate Academic Affairs Advisor
- 2010 - Planning Committee for 2nd Annual UC San Diego Women’s Conference
QUALITIES
PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES
-
Comunication 80%
-
Leadership 90%
-
Dedication and Strong Work Ethic 100%
-
Positive Attitude and Teamwork 100%
-
Productivity 100%
Interests
LEARNING
One of my personal passions is holistic health and wellness. I enjoy continuously learning, with a focus on health, nutrition, and personal and professional development.
Fun Fact: Although I am not a regular runner, I am proud of my accomplishment of completing 17 Half Marathons since 2010.
TRAVEL + HIKING
My husband and I enjoy traveling, ideally destinations that include hiking and nature (or at least extensive walking and exploring). Some of our previous trips include visits to the beautiful islands of Kauai and Maui, Costa Rica, Mexico, Italy, and France. We especially enjoy visiting US National Parks, including Yosemite, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Canyon.