Abeyta Selected As Staff
Advisor-Designate to Regents for 2008-09

UC San Diego Extension Registrar Named To Advise Regents

May 27, 2008

By Henry DeVries

Edward L. Abeyta, the registrar and director of academic services at UC San Diego Extension, has been selected as the staff advisor-designate to the Regents for 2008-09 by the University of California Office of the President. The action follows a lengthy selection process that began with a call for applicants in January 2008.

As the continuing education arm of the university, UC San Diego Extension (extension.ucsd.edu) educates about 40,000 people a year through innovative local, corporate and online programs. Prior to joining UC San Diego Extension in 1995, Abeyta began his service at UC San Diego as a counselor for the Early Academic Outreach Program serving underrepresented students in San Diego high schools.

Abeyta has a BA from the University of New Mexico, a master's from the University of San Diego and is currently completing his Ph.D. in post-secondary adult education. He has been recognized by both UC San Diego and the UC Office of the President for his involvement in staff diversity and development initiatives.

The staff advisor positions, begun as a pilot program in 2005 and made permanent by a unanimous vote of the UC Board of Regents in January 2007, allow for two staff and/or non-Senate academic employees to be selected to participate in open sessions of certain committees of the board. The staff advisors bring the voice and perspective of staff and non-Senate academic employees to deliberations on relevant matters that come before their assigned committees and the Regents.

Through his appointment, Abeyta replaces current Staff Advisor-designate Bill Johansen, who will assume the position of staff advisor to the Regents on July 1, 2008.

"Given the numerous challenges currently facing the UC system, the staff advisors play a critical role," Abeyta said. "I look forward to serving as an ambassador between the Regents and staff as we work together to evolve UC to continue to serve the needs of the state of California."

Media Contact: Henry DeVries, 619-540-3031 or 858-534-9955