UC San Diego Staff Member to Become Staff Advisor to UC Regents

Nicole Savickas | May 27, 2008

Edward L. Abeyta, the registrar and director of academic services at UC San Diego Extension, will serve as a staff advisor to the UC Regents next academic year, the UC Office of the President announced last week.

"Ed brings great dedication to the university and its staff to the position of staff advisor-designate,” said Associate Vice President of Human Resources Judy Boyette. “His selection signals a wonderful addition to the program."

Abeyta will serve with staff advisor Bill Johansen, from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Prior to joining UCSD Extension in 1995, Abeyta began his service at UCSD as a counselor for the Early Academic Outreach Program, serving underrepresented students in San Diego high schools. Abeyta has a bachelor’s from the University of New Mexico, a master's from the University of San Diego and is currently completing his doctorate in post-secondary adult education. He has been recognized by both UCSD and the UC Office of the President for his involvement in staff diversity and development initiatives.

"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."

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.