Messages to Honorees

UCI leadership sends heartfelt congratulations to all of our 2020 Staff Service Awards honorees. We hope to be able to celebrate in person in 2021.

Messages are presented in alphabetical order by last name.

 Nasim Afsar

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

Ramona H. Agrela

Associate Chancellor & Chief Human Resource Executive

“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

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

Larry A. Anstine, FACHE

Specialist- Administration, UCI Health

Congratulations to all of our 2020 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!

Richard Arum

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.

Willie Banks

Willie Banks

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Congratulations to all of the 2020 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 Barke

Stephen Barker

Dean, Claire Trevor School of the Arts

Many congratulations to the 2020 Staff Service Award honorees! Your talent and efforts have helped our success. I am proud to have you on our team and want to offer my congratulations on this service milestone. You have been such a significant part of CTSA and I cannot imagine our team without you. Warmest regards.

Bernadette Boden-Albala

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

Wendell Brase

Associate Chancellor - Sustainability

Congratulations to our 2020 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

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

Ria Carlson

Associate 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.

Ron Cortez

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

Michael Dennin

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

Congratulations to our 2020 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!

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

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

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 Green

Michael Green

Stacey Nicholas Dean of Engineering (Interim)
The Henry Samueli School of Engineering

I’d like to give my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to all of our 2020 Staff Service Award honorees. Our outstanding UCI staff members are essential for fulfilling our mission of teaching, research, and service, and we are all grateful for your consistent efforts and hard work that keep our campus running smoothly.

Liz Griffin

Liz Griffin

UCI PD Chief of Police

I appreciate all the hard work and great service you (UCIPD employees) give to the UCI community, especially during these rough times. Stay strong and stay safe!

John E. Gross, MD, FACS

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 2020 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!

 Nancy Guerra

Nancy Guerra

Dean, School of Social Ecology

Congratulations 2020 Staff Service Award honorees — Mariah Alvarez, Robert Ding, Jessica Gutierrez, Eric Johnson, Nancy Le, Hillary Piccerillo, Kaitlin Smith, Jennifer Craig Welti and Norma Yokota-Norwood! Our School thrives because of your hard work, dedication and commitment. Thank you for your excellent service!

Andrea Gunn-Eaton

Andrea Gunn-Eaton

Chief Campus Counsel

Congratulations to our 2020 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

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

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

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

Jan Hirsch

Dean, School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

Many thanks to the 2020 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

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

Scott Joslyn

Chief Information Officer

I want to offer to each of you my sincere congratulations on your 2020 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

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

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

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

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

Dave Leinen

Associate Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor (Interim)

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.

Bill Maurer

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

Tyrus Miller

Dean, UC Irvine School of Humanities

Congratulations to our 2020 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

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

Brian O’Dea

Executive Director, Marketing & Communications, UCI Health

Congratulations and thank you to our 2020 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

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

Kirsten K. Quanbeck (she/her/hers)

Associate Chancellor, 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!

L. Song Richardson

L. Song Richardson

Dean | Chancellor’s Professor of Law

Congratulations to our 2020 Staff Service Award honorees! I wish that we could be together in person to celebrate your remarkable service to the UCI. We wouldn’t be the incredible place we are without you!

Mara Rosalsky BS, RN, MSN

Mara Rosalsky BS, RN, MSN

Interim Chief Nursing Officer
Executive Director of Perioperative Services

It takes a village to create an environment where patients come first. This environment, focused on quality, safety, inclusion, mission, and compassion, makes UCI an organization we are proud to serve. It takes a village to establish strong, intertwining relationships. With those relationships we can accomplish anything, like the national rankings, but most importantly we impact our community (and the world) making it stronger. You are our village. It is an honor to recognize you for your service through the Staff Service Awards. Thank you and I am proud to be part of your team.

Peter Schneide

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!

Paula Smith

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.

Eric R. Spangenberg

Eric R. Spangenberg

Dean, The Paul Merage School of Business

On behalf of all of your colleagues at The Paul Merage School of Business and across UCI, I thank you for your years of service. No matter what your role, you are an important component to driving student and research success. The fact that you never forget that defines your – and our – ongoing commitment to excellence. Congratulations!

Michael J. Stamos, MD, FACS, FASCRS

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

Hal Stern

Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Chancellor’s Professor, Department of Statistics

Congratulations to all being honored with 2020 Staff Service Awards. Staff play a critical role in helping UCI achieve its mission of discovering and disseminating knowledge. Thank you for all that you have done during your years of service. We look forward to your continuing contributions.

Richard Sudek

Richard Sudek

Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Director
UCI Beall Applied Innovation

It’s your dedicated service that has contributed to our success. Thank you for everything you do to make UCI a terrific place to work!

Lorelei Tanji

Lorelei Tanji

University Librarian

Congratulations to all the 2020 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

Lars Walton

Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff

Congratulations! One thing is for sure, you will look back on 2020 as one of the most unique years 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!

William C Wilson, MD, MA

William C Wilson, MD, MA

Chief Medical Officer

Congratulations to our Staff Service Award honorees. I am truly grateful for your commitment and loyalty to UCI during your years of service. In addition, I would like to personally recognize and congratulate you for the many contributions you have made to elevate our university and community as a result of your hard work and dedication.