Doing Work That Matters

a letter from Dean Jeff Elman

It’s good to be smart. But focus, motivation, passion are what make the difference between being successful with a lower-case “s” and doing something important.

I first met Carol Padden in the late 1970s. She was a graduate student and I was a brand new assistant professor (sneaking back to the lab at night, after putting my daughter to bed, to read the instruction manuals on the equipment I was supposed to run). I think Carol had more poise and aplomb then than I did! But what really stood out to me about her was her intensity – a seriousness of purpose that made it clear she would go far. Read More

Brain Trust: Ralph Greenspan of Cognitive Science and Biology helped make the Cal-BRAIN program a reality and co-authored an op-ed on the importance of brain research. Andrea Chiba, also of Cognitive Science, is a recipient of an NSF award that’s part of the national BRAIN Initiative; she will pursue a project on “socially situated neuroscience.”

Workplace bias against parents hurts non-parents, too, finds a new sociology study led by UC San Diego professor Mary Blair-Loy and doctoral alum Erin Cech. But take heart, a study by economist Gordon Dahl suggests that taking paternity leave makes other dads more likely to do the same.

Professor and chair of Education Studies Alan Daly examines in the Washington Post why building relationships is vital in school reform.  

No surprise to dog owners: New psychology study, by UC San Diego professor and alum Christine Harris and former honors student Caroline Prouvost, finds dogs can act jealous, suggesting primordial origins for the “green-eyed monster.”

Sociologist John Skrentny examines racial realism in a New York Times op-ed and his new book, “After Civil Rights: Racial Realism in the New American Workplace.”  

Do you consider your friends your family? If so, you may be on to something according to a new study that reveals genetic similarities among unrelated friends. Study co-author James Fowler of Political Science was also just named one of the Politico 50.  

Want your child to be a “helper”? Then choose your words carefully. A new study suggests that adults’ word choice can make a big difference in getting children to be more helpful.  (It works with grown-ups too.)

Contributing to the public good: UC San Diego was rated the No. 1 college in the nation for the fifth consecutive year in Washington Monthly’s annual college rankings measuring universities’ contributions to the public good.

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An Evening for Educators, October 8, 2014 – Are you a K-12 educator in San Diego? Then join us for an exciting evening with San Diego Unified Superintendent, Cindy Marten ’95. Marten will reflect on her experience at UC San Diego, as well as address the Vision 2020 plan and how our educational community can come together to develop an academic, social and physical environment worthy of our children. Morse High School, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Non-alumni welcome.

Economics Roundtable, October 23, 2014 – Alumnus John Shoven ’69, Charles R. Schwab Professor of Economics at Stanford University, will discuss “Adjusting Retirement Institutions for Longer Life Expectancies: You Can't Finance 30-Year Retirements with 40-Year Careers!” UC San Diego Faculty Club, 7:30 to 9 a.m.

Making Education Accessible

Social Sciences alumni John ’88 and Kim ’87 Iorillo have made a gift to help support the Chancellor’s Associates Scholars program. Established by Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla in fall 2013, the scholarship program helps ensure that qualified local students from all backgrounds have access to UC San Diego.

This gift is at the forefront of UC San Diego’s objective to ensure learning is accessible and affordable for all. In addition to scholarship recipients, UC San Diego welcomes more Pell Grant recipient students than any other UC school and is among the leaders in American research universities for serving low-income students. 

We encourage our alumni and friends to create their own scholarship or join us by making a gift toward the cause.  To find out more information, please contact Doug Kurtz at dpkurtz@ucsd.edu.

Marianne Cooper, Roosevelt ’95 (Sociology) is the author of the newly released book, "Cut Adrift: Families in Insecure Times." The book explores how American families are using various emotional and financial strategies to deal with the “new normal” of life in an economic recession.  Cooper was also the lead researcher for the book, "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" by Sheryl Sandberg.

Jon Fredricks, ’85 (Urban Studies and Planning) is the president of the Welk Resort Group, one of the most respected independent brands in the vacation ownership industry. Grandson of the late Lawrence Welk, the famous bandleader and television icon who founded the company, Fredricks has served as president since 1999. Welk Resorts is on pace to hit a record $150 million in revenue this year.

Michael Jordan, Ph.D. ’85 (Cognitive Science) was recently named the 2015 recipient of the David E. Rumelhart Prize, a prestigious honor reserved for those who have made fundamental contributions to the theoretical foundations of human cognition. Jordan will receive a $100,000 award and will deliver a major address at the Cognitive Science Society's meeting next year in Pasadena, Calif.

Ken Kroner, Ph.D. ’88 (Economics) recently spoke at the UC San Diego Economics Roundtable. Kroner is senior managing director at BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management firm, where he serves as global head of multi-asset strategies and chief investment officer of scientific active equity. He also serves as a member of the global executive committee and the global operating committee. 

Jill Litschewski, Revelle ’94 (Anthropology) was recently recognized by the Escondido Chamber of Commerce as "Board Member of the Year." She is currently director of science and mathematics programs at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) where she helps develop science and math programs for CSUSM Extended Learning, ranging from biotechnology to cybersecurity, and acts as an adviser and facilitator.

Cindy Marten, M.A. ’95 (Education Studies) is the superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District and recently received high accolades and an early contract extension from the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education in its assessment of her first year. This was a rare decision as extensions are typically made at the close of a superintendent’s contract.