Dear Colleagues,
As many of you know, our organization is navigating a period of significant change. We continue to face substantial budget challenges, leadership transitions and organizational restructuring, including the merger of the Administration and CFO organizations. We are also preparing for the retirement of Housing and Hospitality Associate Vice Chancellor Pete Angelis and other team members at the end of June, as well as my own retirement in December.
Having worked through many periods of transformation during my career, both within and outside UCLA, I know that change can create uncertainty and anxiety. It is natural to have questions about the future and what these changes may mean for our teams and our work.
Many of you have heard me say that change is the only real constant. That has certainly proven true throughout my time at UCLA. While leaders, structures and priorities may evolve, what remains constant is the importance of our mission, the critical role Administration plays in supporting the university and the supportive, collaborative culture within Administration that enables our success.
What gives me confidence is the talent and dedication of Administration team members, who demonstrate every day their commitment to serving UCLA with excellence and integrity. The best way to navigate uncertainty is to stay focused on the work before us, support one another, and continue advancing our organizational goals. By concentrating on what we can control and by caring for our colleagues through times of change, we provide the stability, support and service our campus community depends on.
That commitment to supporting one another is also one of the qualities I most admire about Pete Angelis as he prepares for retirement. While Pete's accomplishments during his UCLA career are many and his impact on our institution is significant, one thing that has always stood out to me is his dedication to cultivating a culture of caring. He has consistently emphasized the importance of people, relationships and community. As we navigate the changes ahead, that example is worth remembering. We are grateful for Pete's leadership, partnership, and service, and we wish him all the best in this next chapter.
As we move through the months ahead, I encourage all of us to remain focused on our mission, values and culture, which shape the important work we do every day. Change will continue, but so will our commitment to excellence, collaboration, service and one another.
Thank you for your professionalism, resilience and dedication to UCLA and to each other.