Spotlighting Leaders in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education

Graduate/Professional Student who Advances Equity in Graduate Education

Shai Lynne Nelson
Joint PhD candidate in Linguistics and Cognitive Science

Nelson has significantly advanced equity and inclusion in graduate education through research, teaching and service. Her work on sign language acquisition and advocacy for inclusive linguistics education has led to collaborations across the Linguistics Department. Nelson has also developed resources—such as a website on inclusive linguistics education and a micro-fellowship program—to support graduate students and faculty in implementing more accessible and inclusive teaching practices.

Postdoctoral Scholar who Advances Equity in Postdoctoral Training

Silvia Vicenzi
Postdoctoral Scholar and Chair of the Postdoctoral Association

Through her service on UC San Diego’s Postdoctoral Association Board—most recently as chair—Vicenzi has spearheaded initiatives that support equitable access to resources and mentorship for postdoctoral scholars. Vicenzi, a postdoctoral fellow in the Crews Lab who specializes in age-onset disorders, is a founder of the Diversity and Science Lecture series (DASL). In this role, she has helped amplify underrepresented voices in science. Vicenzi has increased the series’ reach and impact through the DASL podcast, a series she created, produces and hosts that has thousands of downloads and streams.

Faculty who Advances Equity in Graduate Education

Christina Schneider
Professor and Jean Monnet Chair of the Department of Political Science and Co-Director of the Future of Democracy Initiative at the UC Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation

Schneider’s work advances equity through programs that support student success at every stage. She has reformed admissions processes and created support programs for incoming students to expand career pathways for graduates. Her innovative leadership has created lasting positive change in how the department recruits, supports and prepares graduate students, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive academic environment.

Faculty who Advances Equity in Postdoctoral Training

Mirle Rabinowitz Bussell
Director of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Teaching Professor of Urban Studies and Planning and Faculty Director of the Homelessness Hub

Rabinowitz Bussell is a gifted educator, researcher and mentor. She provides support and mentorship through monthly lunches with postdoctoral scholars in the Homelessness Hub and the Department of Urban Studies and Planning. She also advises through individual meetings and workshops to help postdocs and other academic researchers prepare for and navigate the academic job market. She connects postdocs with campus and community leaders and champions access to critical opportunities and resources.

Staff who Advances Equity in Graduate Education

Sarah Ceja
Graduate Tutor Coordinator at the Writing Hub and Teaching + Learning Commons

Ceja has significantly enhanced graduate writing services at the Teaching + Learning Commons by integrating inclusive and culturally responsive pedagogy. She has improved graduate students' experiences through leadership grounded in compassion, empathy and a deep understanding of their challenges. Ceja has worked tirelessly to ensure that programming is tailored to areas where graduate students previously lacked support.

Staff who Advances Equity in Postdoctoral Training

Nallely Garcia
Senior International Scholar Advisor at the International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO)

Garcia employs a holistic approach to inclusivity, recognizing the importance of community beyond the workplace in supporting success and belonging. To better support international postdocs with families, she collaborated with Students with Dependents to include postdocs and their dependents in the Mommy/Daddy and Me program, creating a welcoming, supportive and resource-sharing community on campus. Garcia ensures that ISEO resources—such as funding and programming spaces—are available to student groups and the Postdoctoral Association.

Advancing Equity in Postdoctoral Training and Graduate Education Certificates of Appreciation