from the DEAN

Bill Maurer
Professor, Anthropology & Law

 Bill Maurer, UCI social sciences dean.
 

In the UCI School of Social Sciences, community is a powerful word. It’s the heart of social sciences, the foundation from which we seek to understand the world and our place in it. It’s also the shared sense and spirit upon which our school is built - one that emboldens mold breakers to create positive change and improve the human condition.

In this issue of Be Bold, I’m so proud to present stories of our Anteaters who embody this passion and purpose.

You’ll read about first-generation students like Jacqueline Torres and Elizabeth Hafen who are paving new pathways with their up-coming graduation from UCI and plans to pursue careers helping others thrive.

You’ll learn about Akunna Ekeh whose entrepreneurial spirit sparked a new business venture that created community during COVID, and Fulbright scholar Elizabeth Montoya who plans to use her dual degrees to help marginalized communities overcome health disparities.

You’ll read about exciting new research projects that are working to build smarter AI, stop the spread of misinformation, remove barriers and expand research and college opportunities for historically underserved populations, and more.

You’ll learn about our alumni and community friends - like Howard Hsieh ’95, Larry and Dulcie Kugelman, Danika Wong ’06, Susan and Brett Williamson ’86, Blake Baxter ’04, and our soon-to-launch Women of the Dean’s Leadership Society - whose support is helping us uplift and engage our community and Anteater family, now more than 58,000 alumni strong. And so much more.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Be Bold as much as I do. And as you read the stories, I encourage you to reach out to learn more about the ways you can get involved in our social sciences community and help us change lives.

Bill Maurer