Dear UCI Community,

It is my great pleasure to announce the appointment of Miguel Hernández as a new Associate Dean of Students for Student Life & Leadership. Miguel began his appointment July 1st, 2020 and I am excited about him joining our organization.

Miguel was the Interim Director for the Center for Leadership & Social Change at Florida State University (FSU) where he oversaw a staff of 35 professional and graduate student staff. He had been the Associate Director in the same office for over six years. Prior to his time at FSU, he worked as the Director of Multicultural Services & Programs at the University of Georgia. Previous to this, he worked for two years at FSU as the Associate Director at the Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement, and also spent three years working in Residence Life. At FSU, Miguel created and designed the FSU President’s Diversity & Inclusion Certificate program, a professional development opportunity for faculty and staff to increase awareness related to diversity and inclusion in higher education. Over the last six years, he has been an instructor in a number of Leadership and Intergroup Dialogue courses, taught Black & Latinx in Education-History/Policy and facilitated various educational presentations at higher education conferences including NASPA. Miguel is also a trainer for the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI).

Miguel anticipates completing his Doctorate of Education degree in the next month from Florida State University. He has received his Master of Arts degree from Appalachian State University in Student Affairs Administration and his bachelor’s degree from Columbus State University in Justice Administration.

I am delighted to have an educator with Miguel’s leadership and passion for social justice joining the Student Life & Leadership team. It was clear from the interview process that Miguel puts students first and is also someone that values the development of staff.

In his role, Miguel will oversee a number of areas within Student Life & Leadership including Campus Organizations & Volunteer Programs, Cross-Cultural Center, Center for Student Leadership, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Resource Center, Sorority & Fraternity Life, and Veteran Services Center. It is an exciting time for Student Life & Leadership, even with the major challenges we are all currently facing.

I would like to thank all of the staff and students that contributed toward the selection of the Associate Dean position. I would also like to extend a special thank you to the search committee led by (Chair) Jennifer Aaron along with Darren Endo, Amy Schulz, Sherwynn Umali, Angie Keam, Ed E-Nunu, Fatima Nunez with assistance from Talent Acquisition Analyst at Human Resources, Kimberly Grant. We had an outstanding candidate pool in this national search and I appreciate their hard work in the process.

Please join me in welcoming Miguel to the Anteater family!

Sincerely,

Rameen A. Talesh, Ed.D.
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Life & Leadership
Dean of Students