About the Chancellor’s Office

The goal of the Chancellor’s Office is to support the Chancellor’s leadership of UC San Diego in fulfillment of its mission of teaching, research and service to society. Responsibilities that fall within the Chancellor’s Office range from outreach to the San Diego community to fiscal management in accordance with UC and UC San Diego policies.

The Chancellor’s unit includes:

Chancellor’s Office Staff

Immediate Office Staff

Photo of Jeff Gattas

Jeff Gattas

Associate Chancellor / Chief of Staff
(858) 534-6861

Reporting to the Chancellor and working in close collaboration with the Associate Chancellor in the Office of the Chancellor, the Associate Chancellor / Chief of Staff is a strategic advisor to the Chancellor and the campus executive leadership team. This position is the key architect of the Chancellor's strategic communications strategies and tactics to achieve institutional goals and objectives spelled out in the campus Strategic Plan. A member of the Chancellor's Executive Cabinet, the Associate Chancellor / Chief of Staff provides senior executive-level oversight and coordination to implement the directives and institutional initiatives of the Chancellor. The role supervises Campus and Community Relations, the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination, and governmental affairs professional staff.

Photo of Kelly Kish

Kelly Kish

Associate Chancellor
(858) 822-4382

The Associate Chancellor leads key strategic initiatives for the campus and acts as chief advisor to the chancellor and his leadership team. The role provides broad scope research and analysis, communication development and consultation to complement and enhance the strategic objectives of the chancellor. The Associate Chancellor works closely with the Executive Vice Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Associate Chancellor/Chief of Staff and members of the Chancellor's cabinet to address and resolve issues that affect the success of the Chancellor’s initiatives. 

Chandra Bandril

Chancellor Initiatives Administrative Officer
(858) 534-5840

The Chancellor Initiatives Administrative Officer serves as a primary partner with the Associate Chancellor/Chief of Staff and the Associate Chancellor in the execution of a wide range of activities involving interaction with campus senior leadership to further the Chancellor’s initiatives; handles sensitive and confidential projects and issues; leads and/or participates on policy and planning committees and working groups across campus; and provides strategy development for organizational or research initiatives. 

Photo of Jessica Brown

Jessica Brown

Senior Director of Executive Communications

The Senior Director of Executive Communications develops a wide range of strategic communications on behalf of the Chancellor to broadly communicate the Chancellor's vision and initiatives to advance UC San Diego. This position provides high-level counsel to the Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff, as well as the Associate Chancellor, regarding all aspects of the Chancellor's leadership. The senior director drafts content to broadly communicate the Chancellor's vision, researches, writes, edits and catalogs remarks, and prepares speeches and presentations that are delivered by the chancellor to internal and external audiences.

Photo of Cairo Williams

Cairo Williams

Assistant Director of Executive Communications

The Assistant Director of Executive Communications manages incoming email correspondence for the Office of the Chancellor, and researches, drafts, edits and coordinates approvals for executive leadership content to broadly communicate the Chancellor's vision and initiatives that advance UC San Diego.

Photo of Christiana Gerber Honnet

Christiana Gerber Honnet

Assistant Director of Geisel House and Chancellor's Events
(858) 822-5911

The Assistant Director of Audrey Geisel University House is responsible for assisting in the overall operations and upkeep of this Registered Historical University property. Primary duties also include assisting in preparation efforts at Audrey Geisel University House before and after events, and activities sponsored or hosted by the Chancellor and/or the Associate of the Chancellor.

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Rosie Goldberg

Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
(858) 534-5335

The Executive Assistant to the Chancellor provides support and advice to the Chancellor on a wide range of issues involving the highest level of administrative work. This position serves as primary contact for the Chancellor, manages the Chancellor’s day-to-day schedule, plans and coordinates the Chancellor’s extensive travel schedule and undertakes unique special projects, as assigned by the Associate Chancellor/Chief of Staff on behalf of the Chancellor.

Photo of Claire Hopkins

Claire Hopkins

Director of Geisel House and Chancellor's Events
(858) 534-3774

The Director of Audrey Geisel University House and Chancellor's Events serves as the key liaison with the Special Events & Protocol Office in planning events hosted by the Chancellor.  This position is responsible for planning and managing the various events that take place at Audrey Geisel University House, as well as overseeing all day-to-day operations, maintenance, and upkeep of the property.

Andrew Basom-Turpin

Business Operations Coordinator
858-534-9533

The Business Operations Coordinator is primarily responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Chancellor’s immediate office and ensuring the orderly functioning of the unit. The position administers the financial operations, reconciles financial matters, coordinates travel and meeting arrangements for executive staff, and recommends and implements changes and solutions.

Business Office Staff

Photo of Alyssa Cunanan

Alyssa Cunanan

Personnel & Financial Analyst
(858) 534-8573

The Personnel & Financial Analyst is responsible for human resources and fiscal management for the Chancellor’s Office and its Administrative Units. Responsibilities include payroll administration and the management of Payroll & Personnel System (PPS) data.  This position also provides support to units regarding matters related to human resources, budget, financial management and business operations.

Photo of Jocelyn Pacheco

Jocelyn Pacheco

Director, Business and Fiscal Affairs
(858) 534-3993

The Director provides leadership for Business and Fiscal Affairs and overall financial and human resource management services for the Chancellor’s Office and its administrative units.  Responsibilities also include the development and implementation of protocols and guidelines to ensure that comprehensive controls are in place for accurate reporting of the Chancellor’s Office business activities. This position also ensures that staff personnel and payroll processes within the Chancellor’s Office comply with University policy and serve the needs of both management and employees.

Photo of Aileen Serrano

Aileen Serrano

Lead Personnel & Financial Analyst
(858) 534-1699

The Lead Personnel & Financial Analyst manages personnel appointments for the Chancellor’s Office Vice Chancellor (VC) area and serves as the Human Resources Department liaison for all VC area departments. This position coordinates VC-wide training and staff development initiatives and programs. Responsibilities also include oversight of payroll and personnel transactions, and financial management and audit readiness of annual reports as mandated by the Office of the President.

Campus and Community Relations

Photo of Roberta Camarena

Roberta Camarena

Director of Chancellor Community Relations
(858) 761-6093

The Director of Chancellor Community Relations provides leadership, oversight and management of the Chancellor’s outreach programs. This position reports directly to the Associate Chancellor/Chief of Staff with indirect reporting to the Executive Director of State and Local Government and Community Relations. The role identifies, develops and supports opportunities that promote the goals and objectives of the university throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties and the cross-border region.

Campus Counsel

Photo of Daniel W. Park

Daniel W. Park

Chief Campus Counsel
(858) 822-1236

Reporting to the Chancellor and to the Vice President for Legal Affairs & General Counsel, Dan is the chief attorney for the UC San Diego campus. Dan provides legal advice, retains outside counsel, manages litigation, reviews university policies, and works closely with other administrative offices to ensure legal compliance and to respond to disputes. Dan is a member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet and the UC General Counsel’s systemwide leadership team.