Dear Colleagues and Caregivers:
I hope you all are well and that the school year is vibrant as we move into the fall season.
We are excited to announce that our Early Care and Education (ECE), Lab School, and Geffen Academy are coming together to form the UCLA Consortium of Schools (formerly known as the Pre-K-12 Schools unit) in connection with UCLA School of Education and Information Studies (Ed&IS).
As many of you are aware, Devin Serrano, who served as the Superintendent of Operations for the past four years, stepped down on August 18th to become Superintendent of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. We wish Devin all the best in her new role!
A new position has been established within the Consortium, Associate Dean for the University Partnership Schools. This position will report to the Dean of Ed&IS and will provide support for the Consortium. We are grateful that Dr. Jody Priselac has agreed to serve in this role for the next year as we conduct a nationwide search for this position.
In addition, the Consortium has established a new Chief Operating Officer position. This position will oversee the operational aspects of the schools, in partnership with the administration at each of the schools. We are thankful that Olivia Diaz Ramirez has agreed to take on this role, effective October 1, 2023.
We strive to support UCLA’s Consortium of Schools to ensure that every student in our schools has the opportunity to achieve and succeed. We are also pleased to note that, at the direction of UCLA Chancellor’s Office, we are exploring additional ways to strengthen collaboration across the Consortium. Our goal is to streamline operations and to enhance the relationships of schools with the research, teaching, and service mission of UCLA. We will remain open and transparent as we work together to achieve this goal.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment and service on behalf of the students in our Schools. Your efforts to support our students’ academic excellence, social-emotional growth, and development is deeply appreciated.
Warmly,
Christina (Tina) Christie, Dean of UCLA’s School of Education and Information Studies
