UCI Human Resources | Staff Service Awards

UCI leadership sends heartfelt congratulations to all of our 2021 Staff Service Awards honorees.

Messages are presented in alphabetical order by last name.

Nasim Afsar

COO, UCI Health

My heartfelt congratulations to our honorees – your commitment and dedication to our patients and UCI Health is inspirational. Your relentless devotion to our patients has enabled us to heal, cure and support our patients through one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history. Thank you for all that you do. Enjoy your day!

Ramona H. Agrela

Chief Human Resources Officer & Vice Chancellor

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” - John Quincy Adams. To my all my colleagues, keep leading the way! May you continue to inspire us for many years to come.

Tom Andriola (he/him/his)

Vice Chancellor for Information, Technology & Data, UC Irvine

I extend my sincerest congratulations to our Staff Service Award honorees for this period. I have learned that great organizations are made through the dedicated efforts of hard-working people like yourselves, demonstrating commitment, loyalty and longevity. Thank you for all you have and continue to do for the UC Irvine community and for your many years of service.

Larry A. Anstine, FACHE

Executive Advisor, UCI Health

Congratulations to all of our Staff Service Award honorees! Thank you for all you do every day to advance our mission. Your dedication and continued hard work is what makes UCI such a great place for all of us. Celebrate and enjoy the day!

Errol Arkilic

Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director, UCI Beall Applied Innovation

From all of us at Beall Applied Innovation, a sincere and hearty congratulations! It is an honor to work alongside you.

Richard Arum

Dean, School of Education

We are very grateful for your years of service to UCI. Your commitment to the institution has allowed us to achieve so much in the School and make a difference in the lives of members of our community.

Brooke Baldwin

Chief Nursing Executive, UCI Health

We couldn’t do it without you! My sincere congratulations to all Staff Service Award nominees and your commitment to serving patients and their loved ones at UCI Health.

Willie Banks

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Congratulations to all of the 2021 Staff Service Award honorees. Thank you for your continued service to our great university and for your commitment to creating a community where our faculty, staff, and students can thrive. Kudos and cheers to all of you.

Stephen Barker

Dean, Claire Trevor School of the Arts

Best congratulations to the remarkable CTSA staff celebrating milestones today. You’re such a central part of our creative research in the arts; we couldn’t do our work without you as partners with faculty and students, as we emerge brighter from our long exile from campus. Your service is deeply appreciated, both in and beyond the School of the Arts. I’m delighted to join the chorus honoring your achievements and look forward to celebrating many more.

Bernadette Boden-Albala

Director and Founding Dean, Program in Public Health Professor, Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention and Department of Epidemiology Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences

In this extremely difficult time, the staff at UCI has demonstrated utmost professionalism, and flexibility along with a positive attitude. I want to thank all UCI staff for their continued hard work and support. You make us all proud! Stay safe and healthy!

Wendell Brase

Associate Chancellor - Sustainability

Congratulations to our 2021 Staff Service Award honorees. Having spent thirty years at UCI myself, I know many of you. Your 19,000+ years of cumulative service have built the foundation for not only a great university, but it is your values and principles that nurture our legacy of inclusive excellence, public service, and environmental stewardship. Over your years of service, you have transformed a job into a vocation. Thank you!

James Bullock

Dean, School of Physical Sciences

The talent and dedication of our staff fuels our campus and we are so fortunate to have you all as part of our anteater family. I thank you for your service and for helping make UCI a top public institution. Congratulations, and enjoy your special day!

Ria Carlson

Vice Chancellor
Strategic Communications and Public Affairs

UCI is at the top of the charts in so many areas – from academics to health care and sustainability to social mobility – and this couldn’t happen without your hard work and dedication. Thank you for your years of service and congratulations on this impressive achievement.

Joe Carmichael

Interim Chief Medical Officer, UCI Health
Clinical Professor of Surgery

Congratulations to our 2021 Staff Service Award honorees! Thank you for inspiring all of us with your outstanding achievements and dedication to our mission.

Ron Cortez

Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer

Today, we celebrate the milestones of over 2,000 employees. Each of you contribute to the success of UCI, and together we take pride in your accomplishment and commitment to excellence. Congratulations on your anniversary, and I look forward to celebrating many more!

Michael Dennin

Professor of Physics and Astronomy
Vice Provost of Teaching and Learning and
Dean, Division of Undergraduate Education

Congratulations to our 2021 Staff Service Award honorees! Your efforts and contributions to the campus keeps everything running, and have been particularly impressive during these challenging times. I thank you for your years of service and though we cannot celebrate in person, know that we are still celebrating you! Thank you, and enjoy your special day!

Valerie M. Dixon

Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer, UCI Health

I extend my sincere congratulations and deep appreciation to all of our 2021 Staff Service Award honorees! Thank you for your unwavering commitment to incorporate the highest ethical standards into all that you do. Your dedication lays the unshakeable foundation on which UCI’s reputation as a stellar institution is built. Enjoy this well-deserved recognition.

Magnus Egerstedt

Stacey Nicholas Dean, Samueli School of Engineering

A world-class research university cannot function without world-class staff. And we certainly have amazing staff here at UCI, as is so clearly on display at the Staff Service Awards. Thank you for all you do for our university and congratulations to our honorees on this day of celebration!

Bryant Garth

School of Law Interim Dean & Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus

Congratulations the Staff Service honorees for 2021 Staff Service Awards. Staff are often the unsung heroes essential to the success of the faculty and students who thrive at UCI. Thank you for what you have done and will continue to do in the future for UCI.

Steve A. N. Goldstein, M.A., M.D., Ph.D., FAAP

Vice Chancellor, Health Affairs
Distinguished Professor, Departments of Pediatrics,
Physiology & Biophysics, and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Liz Griffin

UCI PD Chief of Police

I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to all UCI Police Department employees for all their hard work, dedication and great service given to the UCI community. You have held strong through COVID and made significant strides towards constant improvement. Stay strong and stay safe!

John E. Gross, MD, FACS

Vice Dean, Faculty and Clinical Affairs, School of Medicine
CMO, Medical Innovation Institute, HS Clinical Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery

With heartfelt gratitude, congratulations to our 2021 Staff Service Award honorees. Thank you for all you do in support of UCI Health and for making UCI Health the premier destination for health care in Orange County. It is your unwavering dedication and commitment along with the entire health care team that allows UCI Health to provide safe, innovative, and uncompromising care to our patients. It is your tireless work and leadership that makes it all happen. Thank you so much for all you do and please enjoy your special day!

Andrea Gunn Eaton

Chief Campus Counsel

Congratulations to our 2021 Staff Service Award honorees! Thank you so very much for your years of service. Your commitment to our community is truly inspiring. I hope you enjoy your special day!

Gillian Hayes

Vice Provost, Graduate Division & Dean, Graduate Division

Congratulations to all of the honorees for the Staff Service Awards. Your work on behalf of the entire UCI community is sincerely appreciated. Your commitment shows in your actions every day. Thank you!

Douglas M. Haynes

Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Chief Diversity Officer, Professor of History

Great people make great universities. This is emphatically the case for UCI. We have come so far in such a short period of time by working together to advance our mission. Your dedication has enabled countless people--reflecting a broad cross section of society--to grow and thrive. In recognition of your service to the campus, please accept my sincere thanks.

Brian Hervey

Vice Chancellor, University Advancement and Alumni Relations
President, UCI Foundation

Congratulations on reaching this important service milestone. People are – and always will be – UCI’s greatest asset. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Your contributions power a brilliant future for our university and the world.

Jan Hirsch

Dean, School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

Many thanks to the Staff Service Award honorees. UCI would not be the great university it is today without your efforts, expertise and enthusiasm for creating an ever-learning environment for all of us. Enjoy your day!

Victoria Jones

Chief Global Affairs Officer

UCI is respected around the world because you have shown up and made a difference. Thanks to every one of you!!

Scott Joslyn

Chief Information Officer

I want to offer to each of you my sincere congratulations on your 2021 Staff Service Award! So many of you, so dedicated, for so long. So uncommon! Thank you for what you have done and continue to do every day. Your devotion to UCI has advanced the institution and made it one of the top 10 public institutions in the U.S. And, a celebrated institution in our region. Please pat yourself on the back and enjoy this day!

Pramod Khargonekar

Vice Chancellor for Research

Heartiest congratulations to our Staff Service Award recipients! I am most grateful to you for your tremendous dedication to the mission of UCI which is critical to making it into a world-class public research university. Your work is absolutely critical for enabling the myriad research, education and public service accomplishments of our faculty and students. Enjoy this special day of recognition and honor for you!

Ryan Kim

Office of the CEO, Medical Center Administration

With great sincerity, congratulations! Your unwavering commitment towards excellence is truly inspiring and more importantly, helps us earn the trust that our patients place in us. Thank you so much for all you’ve done – and want to do – to the success of UCI Health.

Frank LaFerla

Dean, School of Biological Sciences

I have always been exceptionally proud of the service and dedication of our staff, but even more so during these particularly challenging times. They are the best, and it is an honor to work with them.

Chad T. Lefteris

CEO, UCI Health

Congratulations! Your commitment, loyalty, and resulting pride are what make UCI a unique place within the county, region, and beyond. Thank you!

Dave Leinen

Interim Associate Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

Over the years, the annual Staff Service Awards event has been my favorite- by far. Seeing many colleagues we maybe see but once a year, if often feels like a family reunion. As you are recognized today, we are together in spirit. Please remember that the success of the faculty and students at UCI is largely dependent on the staff. Your contributions and dedication to our institution will continue to be one of our most valuable assets. Congratulations on achieving this milestone! With appreciation and admiration.

Mona Lynch

Interim Dean and Chancellor’s Professor, School of Social Ecology

A hearty congratulations to this year’s honorees, and thank you for your many years of service. Your dedication, care and creativity makes our School a very special place for all who work here. You have done an especially amazing job throughout this challenging period, and I am honored and grateful to get to partner with you on our shared goals, aspirations, and many successes!

Gary Matkin

Dean, Division of Continuing Education
Vice Provost, Division of Career Pathways

Congratulations to the honorees and to all of the staff members that have contributed so much to UCI during this difficult period of change and refreshment. It is due so much to your efforts that we have continued our high levels of service to our students and others who rely on UCI for services and support. Your flexibility and willingness to adapt to the Covid crisis and now the slow evolution of the post-Covid world has sustained and inspired us.

Bill Maurer

Dean, School of Social Sciences

I’m so incredibly grateful for our wonderful social sciences staff, and I love taking this time each year to thank each and every one of you for all you do to make our school shine. You are the heart of our organization; the ones who keep our unit not only afloat but forging ahead, no matter the circumstance. Without your tireless work, we would not have been able to pivot so seamlessly to our remote mode of operation. Your work is laudable and appreciated, and even though we can’t be together to celebrate, please accept my gratitude and congratulations for your wonderful service achievements today and every day.

Tyrus Miller

Dean, UC Irvine School of Humanities

Congratulations to our 2021 Staff Service Award honorees! Your outstanding skill and commitment to our mission of education for the public good help make UCI the great university it is. We are grateful for all you do!

Adey Nyamathi

Dean, Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing

Thank you for the years of amazing service and support to make UCI a great institution for work and study. I wish you congratulations on your celebration.

Brian O’Dea

Executive Director, Marketing & Communications, UCI Health

Congratulations and thank you to our 2021 Staff Service Award honorees! Your experience, dedication and compassion are what make UCI such a great place to work and get care. You are UCI Health!

Marios Papaefthymiou

Ted and Janice Smith Family Foundation Dean
Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences

Congratulations to our Staff Service Award Honorees! We are all grateful for your commitment to the UCI community.

Kirsten K. Quanbeck (she/her/hers)

Vice Chancellor, Division of Equal Opportunity and Compliance

As we celebrate these career milestones, I applaud your commitment to excellence, your dedication and your hard work. UCI’s people are its greatest asset and your contributions help us all shine brighter. Thank you and congratulations!

Peter Schneider

Chief Health Sciences Counsel

Congratulations to our Staff Service Award honorees! What you do every day embodies our three missions of Discover, Teach and Heal. It is through your untiring efforts that UCI can continue to provide hope to those who often have little of it and be a shining example to our students. Thank you for all that you do, and please enjoy your special day!

Randolph Siwabessy

Chief Financial Officer Clinical Enterprise

Congratulations to the honorees. I am grateful for your dedication to our patients and commitment to excellence. In the few months I have been at UCI Health, I have been deeply inspired by this team. As this year’s honorees, you represent the best of what this health system has to offer to our community. Thank you for all that you do. We are very fortunate to have you!

Paula Smith (she/her/hers)

Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Congratulations and thank you for your years of service! People are and always will be our greatest asset. As you celebrate this significant milestone in your career and set your sights on future goals, take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments and take pride in knowing you are a valued member of UC Irvine. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. It is because of you that we can work for a Brilliant Future for everyone. Have a wonderful day.

Michael J. Stamos, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Dean, School of Medicine

Congratulations to our Staff Service Award honorees! Thank you for your dedication and loyalty to our missions! It’s due to the hard work of you and your colleagues that UCI is one of the top 10 public institutions in the U.S. Your unflagging commitment to helping us provide uncompromising care to our patients and training to our learners makes a difference. Thank you for all that you do, and please enjoy your special day!

Hal Stern

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

Congratulations to all 2021 Staff Service Award honorees! Thank you for all of the hard work and dedication in support of UCI’s mission of serving and leading our community through our educational programs, cutting-edge research and public service. Your work is a critical part of all that we achieve. We are grateful for your contributions.

Lorelei Tanji

University Librarian, UCI Libraries

Congratulations to all the 2021 Staff Service Award honorees! Your dedication and service has made UCI a top-tier public university that is renowned for supporting social mobility and lifelong learning. You have made an incredible difference to generations of students and the community-at-large. Thank you for all that you do!

Lars Walton

Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff

Congratulations! One thing is for sure, you will look back on the last year as one of the most unique in your career! Thank you for all you have done to move UCI forward during these challenging times, but also for your commitment to our campus throughout your career. Wishing you all the best as you continue your career with UCI!

Ian O Williamson

Dean, Paul Merage School of Business

On behalf of all my colleagues at the Paul Merage School I would like to congratulate all of the Staff Service Award honorees. The foundation of every great institution is a commitment to service. It is because of your service that UCI is able to provide a world class education to so many and have a positive impact on the community we serve. Thank you!!