Department/College/UnitUniversity Advancement

TitleExecutive Director, Government and Community Relations

AffiliationStaff

Primary Office Location
IAS

Additional Location(s)Kerr Hall, RM 263

Mail StopUniversity Advancement

Biography, Education and Training

Melissa joined UC Santa Cruz in 2010. She has more than 25 years of experience working in community and state government relations. She began her career working for the California State Legislature. As a Legislative Aide for several Assembly Members, her areas of focus were: K-12 and higher education, health and human services, and employment and labor. After working in state government, Melissa spent seven years with the City of San Jose to inform and shape affordable housing policy across all levels of government. This led to a career working for the University of California, Santa Cruz on helping guide and direct the campus’s state advocacy programs.  She worked with volunteers, alumni, student and campus leaders to develop effective advocacy programs and relationships with the campus’ eight state legislators. Appointed in September 2017, Melissa oversees the UC Santa Cruz Government and Community Relations team and manages a wide range of political and policy issues for the campus and advises administrators and faculty on strategies to facilitate dialogue with government and community leaders. Melissa received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Public Administration (MPA) from San Jose State University. Melissa, her spouse, and two children reside in Santa Cruz, California and are proud and active members of the community.