Social Sciences Newsletter

Defining the Future: What's Next for Our Campus?

a letter from Dean Jeff Elman

It's easy when you're young to take risks and gambles. UC San Diego is no longer young - no longer the new kid on the academic block, with nothing to lose and everything to gain by experimenting. But the caution of middle age, the temptation to incrementalism need to be resisted. Just as innovation was exactly the right approach 50 years ago and made us what we are today, it remains vital to our future.

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Social Sciences News

If you had $20 million to spend on solving a social problem what would it be? Carol Padden of Communication shares her thoughts in the New York Times.

Why the world didn't end on Dec. 21: Geoffrey Braswell of Anthropology says the Maya did not predict an apocalyptic end of the world in 2012.

The Preuss School UCSD is held up as a national model by the Washington Post, which cites a new book on the school by Hugh "Bud" Mehan of Sociology and CREATE.

Catching up with Robert Engle of Economics: What is the 2003 Nobel laureate up to now?

Ben Bergen of Cognitive Science discusses how the mind makes meaning and Groucho Marx's famous "fruit flies like a banana."

Katerina Semendeferi of Anthropology is one of ten UC San Diego professors recently named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the nation's largest scientific organization.

Do minorities fare better under Democratic administrations? Research by Zoltan Hajnal and Jeremy Horowitz of Political Science focuses on the relationship between the president's party and minority well-being.

Upcoming Events

Stay Connected with UC San Diego — Network with alumni in your chosen industry! Our professional groups strengthen your ties to UCSD by connecting you to professionals in your field. Click below for more information and to submit an interest form today.

Capitol Tritons
Communication Professionals Network
Educators Alliance
Financial Professionals Network

Social Sciences Supper Club, February 6, 2013 — Join us for a special evening with Craig McKenzie of Psychology and Rady School of Management. Location: UC San Diego Faculty Club. Time: 6-8p.m. Cost: $65/person or $40/UC San Diego alumni; includes wine reception, dinner and parking at the Faculty Club. For more information, contact mmarsh@ucsd.edu or jmdean@ucsd.edu.

Economics Roundtable, February 15, 2013 — Featuring John Hofmeister, former CEO of Shell Oil and founder and CEO of the non-profit group Citizens for Affordable Energy. Location: UC San Diego Faculty Club. Time: 7:30-9 a.m. Cost: $50 includes continental breakfast and parking at the Faculty Club. For more information, contact econroundtable@ucsd.edu or jmdean@ucsd.edu.

UCSD Capitol Triton Receptions: January 25 and April 13, 2013 — UC San Diego alumni and current Tritons in the Washington, D.C./metro area are invited to attend one of our special networking receptions. The events will feature an alumni guest speaker, delicious food and great company. For more information, contact jmdean@ucsd.edu.

Department of Communication 30th Anniversary, June 6-8, 2013 — Save the date for this special celebration! The anniversary weekend explores the theme "The Future of Communication: Questions of Power, Publics & the New Media Environment" and will feature a series of workshops and seminars, as well as on-going exhibitions of prior and current production and performance work from students and faculty. The department looks forward to bringing alumni, faculty, staff and current students together to celebrate the past, present and future of Communication at UC San Diego. Interested in being involved? Contact jmdean@ucsd.edu.

Alumni Updates

Mike Dabasinkas, Marshall '86 (Management Science)
In an industry where profitability can be razor thin, Southern California restaurant and bar owners often turn to Mike Dabasinskas for help. Like a "wine whisperer," he's called in to advise restaurateurs when they face fierce competition, tight margins and the fine line between success and failure.

Tricia Gallagher-Geurtsen, Roosevelt '94 (Psychology) is currently a consultant and the owner of Cutting Edge Education and EveryDayELL.com, providing professional development and resources to teachers to better meet the needs of students in bilingual and English language classrooms.

Robert (Rob) Sauvajot, Marshall '92 (Psychology) is currently the executive director/vice president of all East County Family YMCA facilities, which includes the Cameron Family YMCA in Santee, the Davis Family YMCA in La Mesa and the McGrath Family YMCA in Rancho San Diego.

Jacques Spitzer, Marshall '08 (Communication) is the owner of Raindrop Marketing, a San Diego based digital marketing company specializing in custom website design, video production and graphic design.

Stephanie Wong, Revelle '10 (International Studies) is currently working for Google as an energy analyst on the team responsible for location strategy of data centers and management of Google's energy portfolio, which includes renewable energy.

Patrick Zabrocki, Muir '98 (Urban Studies and Planning) pursued a career in Environmental Planning where he works today as a consultant in sustainability.

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