Director’s Chair

From the Executive Director: History Has Its Eyes on Us

I write this after watching the inauguration of the 46th president of the United States and the swearing-in of the first female and Black vice president. Though still operating at physical distances from one another, we, in many ways, have grown closer together through the shared experiences of life during a pandemic, social unrest, and the transition of leadership in our nation’s capital.

From the Executive Director: At the Forefront of Civil Rights

Women have long been at the forefront of civil rights. As we commemorate the past 150 years of women at Cal, we are offered a chance to reflect on the legacies of resilient women who laid a strong foundation for UC Berkeley. Throughout our university’s history we find women leading us forward: teaching respect for human life, fighting for progress, and creating avenues for change.

From the Executive Director: UC Berkeley Is Changing the Paradigm

UC Berkeley is changing the paradigm. Through innovation, we rise to meet our shared challenge—to connect our community during these virtual times. Our approach strengthens our commitment to raising the next generation of leaders and ensuring the diverse voices of our students and alumni are heard.

A Message from Our Executive Director: Let There Be Light

“Oh Freedom!”—the song you just heard—was what my mother sang with the Freedom Riders. She trained in Philadelphia and traveled to the South to engage in nonviolent resistance alongside Martin Luther King Jr. As an eight-year-old girl, I marched in the March on Washington. So, I speak to you today not only as Cal Alumni Association’s executive director, but also as a wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother who comes from a family involved in the fight for civil rights in the United States of America.

From the Executive Director: Community Unites to Face Our New Reality

Our students and alumni are demonstrating their commitment to supporting the next generation of trailblazers in thoughtful and solution-oriented ways, in spite of the challenges they themselves face.

A Letter from the Executive Director | Spring 2020

Dear Cal family, We know that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a tremendous impact on the personal lives of all those in our global Cal community. Your ongoing connection and collective support is invaluable as we face challenges together during this time of uneasiness and unpredictability. We must demonstrate our commitment to uplift all […]

Director’s Chair: Spring 2020

At UC Berkeley’s winter 2020 commencement, I celebrated Maria Smith ’20, who I had the privilege of meeting and mentoring when she worked as a student assistant for the Cal Alumni Association’s Alumni Scholars Program.

Update from the Cal Alumni Association on COVID-19

I am reaching out to you, our Cal alumni community, to encourage our ongoing connection during this time of uneasiness and unpredictability. Our collective support is invaluable as we move forward and face the challenges together.

Director’s Chair Winter 2019: In a Sea of Red, Blue and Gold Rise Up

Earlier this fall, I traveled to Mississippi to support our Cal football team members, some of whom are from the South, at their game against Ole Miss.

A Letter from the Executive Director | Fall 2019

Reflections on an epoch-making year for diversity and student excellence

Director’s Chair: Fall 2019

As a UC Berkeley alumna, I find it more critical than ever to uplift today’s students. I remember sitting among new graduates, their families and friends, and Cal faculty and staff in the cold wind and pouring rain at UC Berkeley’s commencement celebration in May. It wasn’t just the weather that made the moment stick in my mind; it was also listening to Tiffany Moore ’19 sing “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” from The Sound of Music as it stormed.

A Letter from the Executive Director | Summer 2019

We’re getting older—and that’s great news! This year, the Cal Alumni Association’s Alumni Scholars Program celebrates 85 years of support for the best and brightest in the Cal community.