Teniope Adewumi-Gunn
Teniope Adewumi-Gunn is a doctoral student in the Environmental Health Sciences department at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Teniope’s research interests include applying industrial hygiene to underserved worker communities, sustainability, and environmental policy. She was previously the Environmental Justice Research and Policy Analyst for Black Women for Wellness, where she used her industrial hygiene skill set to engage community members to influence local, state, and national level policies that regulate the safety of chemical use in cosmetics and personal care products.
She is a Women’s Policy Institute Fellow; Student Section National Chair of the American Industrial Hygiene Association; and serves on the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Health and Safety Committee. In addition to numerous awards for her health and safety work she was named a 2015 Radiant Women of Action by Radiant Health Magazine. Her work has been featured in HuffPost Live, Cosmopolitan, Essence Online, Atlantic CityLab, Think Progress and more.
Teniope completed her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at California State University, San Bernardino and her Masters of Science in Environmental Health Sciences/Industrial Hygiene at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
Alexandra Latshaw
Alexandra Latshaw is a 4th year physics graduate student in the Putterman Lab studying energy flow in dense off-equilibrium plasmas. She uses a femtosecond laser to rapidly cause breakdown in high pressure gas, creating a micron scale plasma with a blackbody temperature several times the surface of the sun. She is currently probing a short-time anomaly where the plasma remains stationary and does not explode, even with a pressure discontinuity over a factor of 100 times greater than the surrounding gas. Outside of her lab, Alexandra can be found co-heading the UCLA Women in Physics & Astronomy (WiPA) graduate student group–which recently hosted the 2017 APS Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center–practicing guitar, or teaching upper division physics labs, most recently Quantum Optics. She also serves as Vice President of the Weyburn & Hilgard Residents’ Association, where she has been instrumental in developing plans for a community garden and several music rooms.
Lawrence Traylor
Lawrence Traylor Jr. received a B.A. in Political Science and African-American Studies from UCLA and is currently pursuing a J.D. at UCLA School of Law. A strong advocate for human rights and social equality, he’s an active member of his local church and several mentoring programs. Lawrence’s passion lies in servicing underprivileged communities, like his hometown of Oakland, California.
His professional interests focus on civil liberties, constitutional law, and equitable economic structures. In addition, he is currently a scholar in UCLA Law’s Critical Race Studies (CRS) program – The only program of its kind in the United States – where he scholastically interrogates the intersection between race and the law.
Teniope Adewumi-Gunn
Teniope Adewumi-Gunn is a doctoral student in the Environmental Health Sciences department at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Teniope’s research interests include applying industrial hygiene to underserved worker communities, sustainability, and environmental policy. She was previously the Environmental Justice Research and Policy Analyst for Black Women for Wellness, where she used her industrial hygiene skill set to engage community members to influence local, state, and national level policies that regulate the safety of chemical use in cosmetics and personal care products.
She is a Women’s Policy Institute Fellow; Student Section National Chair of the American Industrial Hygiene Association; and serves on the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Health and Safety Committee. In addition to numerous awards for her health and safety work she was named a 2015 Radiant Women of Action by Radiant Health Magazine. Her work has been featured in HuffPost Live, Cosmopolitan, Essence Online, Atlantic CityLab, Think Progress and more.
Teniope completed her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at California State University, San Bernardino and her Masters of Science in Environmental Health Sciences/Industrial Hygiene at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
Alexandra Latshaw
Alexandra Latshaw is a 4th year physics graduate student in the Putterman Lab studying energy flow in dense off-equilibrium plasmas. She uses a femtosecond laser to rapidly cause breakdown in high pressure gas, creating a micron scale plasma with a blackbody temperature several times the surface of the sun. She is currently probing a short-time anomaly where the plasma remains stationary and does not explode, even with a pressure discontinuity over a factor of 100 times greater than the surrounding gas. Outside of her lab, Alexandra can be found co-heading the UCLA Women in Physics & Astronomy (WiPA) graduate student group–which recently hosted the 2017 APS Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center–practicing guitar, or teaching upper division physics labs, most recently Quantum Optics. She also serves as Vice President of the Weyburn & Hilgard Residents’ Association, where she has been instrumental in developing plans for a community garden and several music rooms.
Lawrence Traylor
Lawrence Traylor Jr. received a B.A. in Political Science and African-American Studies from UCLA and is currently pursuing a J.D. at UCLA School of Law. A strong advocate for human rights and social equality, he’s an active member of his local church and several mentoring programs. Lawrence’s passion lies in servicing underprivileged communities, like his hometown of Oakland, California.
His professional interests focus on civil liberties, constitutional law, and equitable economic structures. In addition, he is currently a scholar in UCLA Law’s Critical Race Studies (CRS) program – The only program of its kind in the United States – where he scholastically interrogates the intersection between race and the law.
Lena Riess
Lena Riess is a Doctoral student at Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA.
Her research focuses on the interaction of older adults with assistive technologies and its implications for technology commercialization. Before her doctoral studies, she managed global research projects, including molecular and genetic epidemiology, at Germany’s based Helmholtz Research Institute.
In September 2015, she founded “Innovation in Health”, a student-led organization at UCLA that promotes health innovation through the application of Design Thinking.
Lena has a background in IT and Software Engineering, holds an engineering degree in Bioinformatics from the University of Applied Science Upper Austria, and a Master’s of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Munich.
Michaela Boster
Michaela Boster is a second year pre-Communications Studies major and Accounting minor. Awed by the opportunity that UCLA offered, she was thrilled to come to Los Angeles after growing up in San Diego. As a first year, she immersed herself in USAC and was a vocal leader in the Fellowship for the Office of the Internal Vice President. Through this experience she was exposed to the power of student voice to make meaningful and lasting change on the UCLA campus.
This experience created a drive to serve the UCLA community in a larger scope. In her second year Michaela will act as Director of IVPhundraising in the Office of the Internal Vice President and as a Pre-Professional Development Director in the Academic Affairs Commission. She is excited at the opportunity to empower Bruins to make lasting connections so that they may continue their success after leaving this campus as well as advocate for student group funding. She is also excited to serve her first term on the Board of Directors.
During her time on the Board of Directors, she is looking forward to representing the interests and needs of students on this campus. She plans on upholding the values ASUCLA by prioritizing students’ needs and foster an engaging college experience.
Nathan Glovinsky
Nathan Glovinsky is a second-year History and Religious Studies double-major. Born at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica to a family of UCLA alumni, he has spent the entirety of his life as a proud bruin. After swim lessons at Sunset Recreation Center, summers at Bruin Woods, and tailgates at the Rose Bowl, it is an 18-year-old dream come true for him to finally be a student at UCLA.
As a first-year, Glovinsky primarily involved himself in the Undergraduate Students Association to further his knowledge of campus institutions and student governance. He interned in the USAC Office of the President, and served as a Federal and State Affairs Research Assistant in the USAC Office of the External Vice President. Through this role, he was able to work with state and federal legislators on higher education policy, such a federal financial aid expansion and increased mental health accessibility.
Now in his second year, he is excited to serve on the ASUCLA Board of Directors and channel his passion for student advocacy into tangible change. He hopes to help find creative solutions to ensure employee investment in the wake of the recent minimum wage increase, as well as working to enhance the visibility of student spaces for mindfulness and collaboration. Glovinsky aspires to be an accessible Undergraduate Representative who is able to work with students from all communities and academic pathways.
Aside from the ASUCLA Board of Directors, he will be serving as the Legislative Director for the USAC Office of the External Vice President and as a board member to the University of California Student Association. He is also involved in the Alumni Scholars Club, UCLA Homecoming, and campus satire newspaper “The Westwood Enabler.”
Glovinsky is humbled by the opportunity to serve the school, and is committed to serving his term as a transparent and responsive Undergraduate Representative.
Lena Riess
Lena Riess is a Doctoral student at Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA.
Her research focuses on the interaction of older adults with assistive technologies and its implications for technology commercialization. Before her doctoral studies, she managed global research projects, including molecular and genetic epidemiology, at Germany’s based Helmholtz Research Institute.
In September 2015, she founded “Innovation in Health”, a student-led organization at UCLA that promotes health innovation through the application of Design Thinking.
Lena has a background in IT and Software Engineering, holds an engineering degree in Bioinformatics from the University of Applied Science Upper Austria, and a Master’s of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Munich.
Michaela Boster
Michaela Boster is a second year pre-Communications Studies major and Accounting minor. Awed by the opportunity that UCLA offered, she was thrilled to come to Los Angeles after growing up in San Diego. As a first year, she immersed herself in USAC and was a vocal leader in the Fellowship for the Office of the Internal Vice President. Through this experience she was exposed to the power of student voice to make meaningful and lasting change on the UCLA campus.
This experience created a drive to serve the UCLA community in a larger scope. In her second year Michaela will act as Director of IVPhundraising in the Office of the Internal Vice President and as a Pre-Professional Development Director in the Academic Affairs Commission. She is excited at the opportunity to empower Bruins to make lasting connections so that they may continue their success after leaving this campus as well as advocate for student group funding. She is also excited to serve her first term on the Board of Directors.
During her time on the Board of Directors, she is looking forward to representing the interests and needs of students on this campus. She plans on upholding the values ASUCLA by prioritizing students’ needs and foster an engaging college experience.
Nathan Glovinsky
Nathan Glovinsky is a second-year History and Religious Studies double-major. Born at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica to a family of UCLA alumni, he has spent the entirety of his life as a proud bruin. After swim lessons at Sunset Recreation Center, summers at Bruin Woods, and tailgates at the Rose Bowl, it is an 18-year-old dream come true for him to finally be a student at UCLA.
As a first-year, Glovinsky primarily involved himself in the Undergraduate Students Association to further his knowledge of campus institutions and student governance. He interned in the USAC Office of the President, and served as a Federal and State Affairs Research Assistant in the USAC Office of the External Vice President. Through this role, he was able to work with state and federal legislators on higher education policy, such a federal financial aid expansion and increased mental health accessibility.
Now in his second year, he is excited to serve on the ASUCLA Board of Directors and channel his passion for student advocacy into tangible change. He hopes to help find creative solutions to ensure employee investment in the wake of the recent minimum wage increase, as well as working to enhance the visibility of student spaces for mindfulness and collaboration. Glovinsky aspires to be an accessible Undergraduate Representative who is able to work with students from all communities and academic pathways.
Aside from the ASUCLA Board of Directors, he will be serving as the Legislative Director for the USAC Office of the External Vice President and as a board member to the University of California Student Association. He is also involved in the Alumni Scholars Club, UCLA Homecoming, and campus satire newspaper “The Westwood Enabler.”
Glovinsky is humbled by the opportunity to serve the school, and is committed to serving his term as a transparent and responsive Undergraduate Representative.
Kevin Kato
Kevin Kato is a third year Economics major interested in the effect of market externalities on society. Born in Brazil, he moved to Los Angeles as a child and dreamed of one day becoming a Bruin.
In his first two years at UCLA, Kevin worked in the UCLA Store as a customer service representative and supervisor at the Market, where he gained an intimate understanding of the Association. In that time, he worked with ASUCLA management to establish a food donation program between the Market and the Community Programs Office at UCLA. He treasures his experiences as a student worker and is committed to ensuring that all students are aware of the amazing resources that the Association has to offer them.
Kevin has also worked in the USAC Office of the External Vice President throughout his time at UCLA. He served as the Assistant to the Chief of Staff and the Campus Organizing Director, through which he helped to create the Bruin Defenders Program, which gives individual student groups the resources and support necessary to lobby on their own behalves to government officials. Next year as the Bruin Defenders Director, he will work to expand the program and to make it accessible to all students on campus.
Kevin is honored by the opportunity to serve on the Board and is dedicated to elevating the experiences and stories of all students at UCLA to the board space.
Navi Sidhu
Navi Sidhu is currently a second-year student pursuing a degree in psychobiology, with a minor in accounting. He is particularly interested in healthcare management and the intersection of health and business and one day hopes to use the skills he has learned to establish a non-profit mental health advocacy organization.
Serving as a representative on multiple advisory committees and boards throughout high school, Navi continued to engage and serve students at UCLA, joining the Office of the President, the Office of the Internal Vice President, the Financial Supports Commission, and the Student Wellness Commission, where he was worked issues such funding reform, transparency, and campus climate. In this next year, he hopes to foster more communication and collaboration between the ASUCLA entities, especially Services and Enterprises and USAC, to be able to better serve the student body.
Navi values and appreciates ASUCLA’s uniqueness, independence, and student-centric role on this campus and is committing himself to steering the organization in a way that continues to serve the UCLA population.
Christine Wilson
Christine Wilson is Director of the Graduate Student Resource Center. She has been at UCLA since the early 90’s; first as a graduate student (receiving a Ph.D. in Slavic Linguistics) and then as an administrator and adjunct faculty and Co-Program Director for the M.Ed. in Student Affairs in the UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies.
Christine served on (and chaired) both the Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC) and the ASUCLA Board of Directors (BOD) while she was in graduate school. These experiences were transformative for her and a large part of why she pursued her current career path in Student Affairs.
Christine is mom to 18-year old Veronica, who will be a first year college student in 16-17. Veronica was born when her mom was a graduate student and Chair of the BOD. She was born on a meeting day and Christine missed the meeting. Christine has a partner, Brett, who is a very patient person. She also has a dog named Dudley. Christine likes to read, watch sports, and learn new things. She is passionate about social justice, especially within the realm of education.
Kevin Kato
Kevin Kato is a third year Economics major interested in the effect of market externalities on society. Born in Brazil, he moved to Los Angeles as a child and dreamed of one day becoming a Bruin.
In his first two years at UCLA, Kevin worked in the UCLA Store as a customer service representative and supervisor at the Market, where he gained an intimate understanding of the Association. In that time, he worked with ASUCLA management to establish a food donation program between the Market and the Community Programs Office at UCLA. He treasures his experiences as a student worker and is committed to ensuring that all students are aware of the amazing resources that the Association has to offer them.
Kevin has also worked in the USAC Office of the External Vice President throughout his time at UCLA. He served as the Assistant to the Chief of Staff and the Campus Organizing Director, through which he helped to create the Bruin Defenders Program, which gives individual student groups the resources and support necessary to lobby on their own behalves to government officials. Next year as the Bruin Defenders Director, he will work to expand the program and to make it accessible to all students on campus.
Kevin is honored by the opportunity to serve on the Board and is dedicated to elevating the experiences and stories of all students at UCLA to the board space.
Navi Sidhu
Navi Sidhu is currently a second-year student pursuing a degree in psychobiology, with a minor in accounting. He is particularly interested in healthcare management and the intersection of health and business and one day hopes to use the skills he has learned to establish a non-profit mental health advocacy organization.
Serving as a representative on multiple advisory committees and boards throughout high school, Navi continued to engage and serve students at UCLA, joining the Office of the President, the Office of the Internal Vice President, the Financial Supports Commission, and the Student Wellness Commission, where he was worked issues such funding reform, transparency, and campus climate. In this next year, he hopes to foster more communication and collaboration between the ASUCLA entities, especially Services and Enterprises and USAC, to be able to better serve the student body.
Navi values and appreciates ASUCLA’s uniqueness, independence, and student-centric role on this campus and is committing himself to steering the organization in a way that continues to serve the UCLA population.
Christine Wilson
Christine Wilson is Director of the Graduate Student Resource Center. She has been at UCLA since the early 90’s; first as a graduate student (receiving a Ph.D. in Slavic Linguistics) and then as an administrator and adjunct faculty and Co-Program Director for the M.Ed. in Student Affairs in the UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies.
Christine served on (and chaired) both the Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC) and the ASUCLA Board of Directors (BOD) while she was in graduate school. These experiences were transformative for her and a large part of why she pursued her current career path in Student Affairs.
Christine is mom to 18-year old Veronica, who will be a first year college student in 16-17. Veronica was born when her mom was a graduate student and Chair of the BOD. She was born on a meeting day and Christine missed the meeting. Christine has a partner, Brett, who is a very patient person. She also has a dog named Dudley. Christine likes to read, watch sports, and learn new things. She is passionate about social justice, especially within the realm of education.
Andrew Lewis
Andrew Lewis is a public service professional with experience in the Office of Senator Dianne Feinstein, the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, and U.S. President’s reelection campaign. Andrew has also worked on several local and statewide elections and campaigns.
Andrew studied Political Science at UCLA, with an emphasis in American Politics. Since his time as a student, Andrew has remained a committed and dedicated Bruin as a Young Alumni. Andrew has served 4 years on UCLA’s Young Alumni Development Council, most recently serving as a Co-Chair for last year’s group. In addition, Andrew currently serves as a founding Board Member on the UCLA Mixed Alumni Association as the Student Engagement Director, and on the UCLA Westside Regional Network.
Andrew is a native of Los Angeles, and enjoys photography, tennis, and staying civically engaged in Los Angeles in his free time.
Jesse Torres
Jesse Torres has served as California’s state small business advocate and deputy director of small business in the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development since April 2015. Previously, Jesse had served as regional director of the Los Angeles Small Business Development Center Network from 2011 to 2015. Prior to his work with SBDC, Jesse served in advancement positions in higher education and the arts, most notably for Pepperdine University where he served as director of Alumni Relations for the Graziadio School of Business and Management from 2005 to 2011. Jesse earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University and Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA. He lives with his wife Jennifer and his two children, Alex and Ava, in South Pasadena, CA.
Agnes Warren
Agnes Warren currently serves as the Executive Director of Financial and Administrative Services for the UCLA Administration organization. She reports directly to the Administrative Vice Chancellor and is responsible for the financial, budget and strategic planning for the organization as well as performance management, organizational development and training functions.
Agnes joined the UCLA Business Enterprises division when it was primarily responsible for Housing & Hospitality Services. She successfully automated many of the manual processes and implemented systems such as electronic time keeping, human resource database, and financial reporting and budgeting systems. In addition, Agnes was involved with the implementation of a new student billing and collection system in Housing to better serve the student population.
As a result of several organizational realignments, Agnes’ responsibilities have grown exponentially within the Administration organization which now operates on an annual budget of almost $700 million.
Agnes began her career in the hospitality industry as a result of her passion for international travel and for working with diverse groups of people. Prior to joining UCLA, she served as Controller for several major hotels in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Agnes Warren has a B.S. degree in Business Administration with a Finance concentration and is a graduate of the Executive Education Program at the UCLA Anderson School.
Andrew Lewis
Andrew Lewis is a public service professional with experience in the Office of Senator Dianne Feinstein, the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, and U.S. President’s reelection campaign. Andrew has also worked on several local and statewide elections and campaigns.
Andrew studied Political Science at UCLA, with an emphasis in American Politics. Since his time as a student, Andrew has remained a committed and dedicated Bruin as a Young Alumni. Andrew has served 4 years on UCLA’s Young Alumni Development Council, most recently serving as a Co-Chair for last year’s group. In addition, Andrew currently serves as a founding Board Member on the UCLA Mixed Alumni Association as the Student Engagement Director, and on the UCLA Westside Regional Network.
Andrew is a native of Los Angeles, and enjoys photography, tennis, and staying civically engaged in Los Angeles in his free time.
Jesse Torres
Jesse Torres has served as California’s state small business advocate and deputy director of small business in the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development since April 2015. Previously, Jesse had served as regional director of the Los Angeles Small Business Development Center Network from 2011 to 2015. Prior to his work with SBDC, Jesse served in advancement positions in higher education and the arts, most notably for Pepperdine University where he served as director of Alumni Relations for the Graziadio School of Business and Management from 2005 to 2011. Jesse earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University and Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UCLA. He lives with his wife Jennifer and his two children, Alex and Ava, in South Pasadena, CA.
Agnes Warren
Agnes Warren currently serves as the Executive Director of Financial and Administrative Services for the UCLA Administration organization. She reports directly to the Administrative Vice Chancellor and is responsible for the financial, budget and strategic planning for the organization as well as performance management, organizational development and training functions.
Agnes joined the UCLA Business Enterprises division when it was primarily responsible for Housing & Hospitality Services. She successfully automated many of the manual processes and implemented systems such as electronic time keeping, human resource database, and financial reporting and budgeting systems. In addition, Agnes was involved with the implementation of a new student billing and collection system in Housing to better serve the student population.
As a result of several organizational realignments, Agnes’ responsibilities have grown exponentially within the Administration organization which now operates on an annual budget of almost $700 million.
Agnes began her career in the hospitality industry as a result of her passion for international travel and for working with diverse groups of people. Prior to joining UCLA, she served as Controller for several major hotels in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Agnes Warren has a B.S. degree in Business Administration with a Finance concentration and is a graduate of the Executive Education Program at the UCLA Anderson School.
Kevin Eagan
Kevin Eagan is Assistant Professor in Residence and Director of the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP), the longest-running and largest empirical study of higher education in the country. He is also the Managing Director of the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA (HERI), where the CIRP surveys are administered. Dr. Eagan’s research interests include issues related to undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, contingent faculty, student retention, institutional contexts and structures of opportunity, survey validity and reliability, and advanced quantitative methods. He obtained his Ph.D. in Higher Education and Organizational Change from UCLA, his M.S. in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University, and his B.S. in Mathematics from Greensboro College.
Pouria Abbassi, P.E.
Pouria Abbassi rejoined his Alma Mater as the Executive Director and CEO of Assoicated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) in February, 2018. He is a graduate of UCLA School of Engineering and UCLA Anderson School of Management/Executive Management Program. The largest organization of its kind in the nation, the ASUCLA enterprises principally include retail operations, food services, facilities, worldwide trademark and licensing of UCLA brand, events, student union and a versatile array of student support services. In this leadership role, Pouria leverages his over two decades of executive experience in multiple industries and his passion for “all things Bruin”, to work with the ASUCLA Board, ASUCLA incredible family of employees and other stakeholders towards taking the organization to its next opportunity phase of success and accomplishments in serving the Bruin student body.
Prior to joining ASUCLA, Pouria was the President and CEO of the Golbanoo Group, a specialty business management & consulting firm supporting large scale real estate developments, asset utilization practices through public private partnerships, conference and convention programming and digital health and wellness platforms and technologies.
Pouria previously led Phoenix Houses of California, Inc. (PHC) as its President & CEO, overseeing the significant service growth of the entire California operations through four companies, across 17 facilities, over 30 programs and a versatile array of mental and behavioral health services available to Californians. During his tenure and drawing from a strategic business plan and metrics which he developed, PHC experienced a 70% increase in terms of lives touched, 30% increase in revenues, significant diversification and expansion of services, completion of major environmental programs and projects, adoption of the ACA required EMR, and addition of education components serving over 30,000 student.
Prior to Phoenix House, Pouria was the CEO of the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC. During his tenure, he was involved with all aspects of the multi-billion dollar LA Live development and later collaborations including the convention center headquarter hotel and other venues on the campus to leverage the said assets in promoting Los Angeles. Through the establishment of a strategic process which he led, LACC became among the very few convention centers nationwide to attain fiscal solvency for six consecutive years, after over three decades of operational fiscal deficit, had the highest occupancy and customer satisfaction rating within its competitive set and was the first convention center of its size and age to achieve LEED-EB Gold certification. Additionally, LACC became a model of corporate social responsibility through its services, reach and engagement with various communities groups and educational institutions. Pouria was also one of the key executives leading the various components of master planning of the $1.5 billion LACC modernization. Prior to joining the LACC, Pouria led teams in project engineering, debt financing, financial modeling, environmental analysis and information technology implementation.
A registered mechanical engineer in the State of California, Pouria has published several scientific papers in cryogenics and superconductivity and is a recipient of over 30 business and performance awards. He sits on the boards of the Los Angeles Business Council, Providence Tarzana Hospital Foundation, Woodbury University, PAAIA, IA 100, Norooz Celebration Foundation, and works with various other community organizations including PARS Equality Center, Beyond Vision Music Foundation, and Farhang Foundation. Pouria is also an active member of the Pacific Council on International Policy and is engaged with various policy and think tank groups at the local and national levels.
A firm believer in youth development and education, Pouria frequently gives presentations on leadership and visioning to student groups ranging from elementary schools through graduate schools and mentors young professionals in their careers. Pouria lives in Los Angeles with his wife, whom he met when they were both studying at UCLA, and two children.
Kevin Eagan
Kevin Eagan is Assistant Professor in Residence and Director of the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP), the longest-running and largest empirical study of higher education in the country. He is also the Managing Director of the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA (HERI), where the CIRP surveys are administered. Dr. Eagan’s research interests include issues related to undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, contingent faculty, student retention, institutional contexts and structures of opportunity, survey validity and reliability, and advanced quantitative methods. He obtained his Ph.D. in Higher Education and Organizational Change from UCLA, his M.S. in Higher Education Administration from North Carolina State University, and his B.S. in Mathematics from Greensboro College.
Pouria Abbassi, P.E.
Pouria Abbassi rejoined his Alma Mater as the Executive Director and CEO of Assoicated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) in February, 2018. He is a graduate of UCLA School of Engineering and UCLA Anderson School of Management/Executive Management Program. The largest organization of its kind in the nation, the ASUCLA enterprises principally include retail operations, food services, facilities, worldwide trademark and licensing of UCLA brand, events, student union and a versatile array of student support services. In this leadership role, Pouria leverages his over two decades of executive experience in multiple industries and his passion for “all things Bruin”, to work with the ASUCLA Board, ASUCLA incredible family of employees and other stakeholders towards taking the organization to its next opportunity phase of success and accomplishments in serving the Bruin student body.
Prior to joining ASUCLA, Pouria was the President and CEO of the Golbanoo Group, a specialty business management & consulting firm supporting large scale real estate developments, asset utilization practices through public private partnerships, conference and convention programming and digital health and wellness platforms and technologies.
Pouria previously led Phoenix Houses of California, Inc. (PHC) as its President & CEO, overseeing the significant service growth of the entire California operations through four companies, across 17 facilities, over 30 programs and a versatile array of mental and behavioral health services available to Californians. During his tenure and drawing from a strategic business plan and metrics which he developed, PHC experienced a 70% increase in terms of lives touched, 30% increase in revenues, significant diversification and expansion of services, completion of major environmental programs and projects, adoption of the ACA required EMR, and addition of education components serving over 30,000 student.
Prior to Phoenix House, Pouria was the CEO of the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC. During his tenure, he was involved with all aspects of the multi-billion dollar LA Live development and later collaborations including the convention center headquarter hotel and other venues on the campus to leverage the said assets in promoting Los Angeles. Through the establishment of a strategic process which he led, LACC became among the very few convention centers nationwide to attain fiscal solvency for six consecutive years, after over three decades of operational fiscal deficit, had the highest occupancy and customer satisfaction rating within its competitive set and was the first convention center of its size and age to achieve LEED-EB Gold certification. Additionally, LACC became a model of corporate social responsibility through its services, reach and engagement with various communities groups and educational institutions. Pouria was also one of the key executives leading the various components of master planning of the $1.5 billion LACC modernization. Prior to joining the LACC, Pouria led teams in project engineering, debt financing, financial modeling, environmental analysis and information technology implementation.
A registered mechanical engineer in the State of California, Pouria has published several scientific papers in cryogenics and superconductivity and is a recipient of over 30 business and performance awards. He sits on the boards of the Los Angeles Business Council, Providence Tarzana Hospital Foundation, Woodbury University, PAAIA, IA 100, Norooz Celebration Foundation, and works with various other community organizations including PARS Equality Center, Beyond Vision Music Foundation, and Farhang Foundation. Pouria is also an active member of the Pacific Council on International Policy and is engaged with various policy and think tank groups at the local and national levels.
A firm believer in youth development and education, Pouria frequently gives presentations on leadership and visioning to student groups ranging from elementary schools through graduate schools and mentors young professionals in their careers. Pouria lives in Los Angeles with his wife, whom he met when they were both studying at UCLA, and two children.