L&S Staff Spotlight

OURS associate director Alicia Hayes elected first Black president of NAFA

November 7, 2025
Lauren Miller

Alicia Hayes, the associate director of national scholarships & experiential fellowships for the UC Berkeley Office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarships (OURS), has been elected to serve as the first Black president of the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA). Hayes, who came to Berkeley as a staff member of the Cal Alumni Association 1999 and assumed her role in...

Announcing UC Berkeley's 2025 L&S Staff Achievement Award recipients

November 7, 2025

The L&S Staff Achievement Awards, now in its second year, recognize and celebrate outstanding staff members in the College of Letters & Science. Awardees are selected for their exceptional commitment to the College’s shared mission of teaching, research, and public service. Each of these individuals has excelled in areas such as collaboration, goal accomplishment, inclusion & belonging, innovation, and mastery of their work.

We are deeply grateful to our 2025 recipients for their remarkable contributions to the College and to the University. Their...

Building Bridges: Professor Lin Lin

October 29, 2025

Since 2014, Lin Lin has served as a computational mathematician in the Mathematics Department here at UC Berkeley, though he might also be a quantum chemist in disguise. By combining insights from both fields, he is interested in designing new algorithms that harness the power of quantum computers to tackle challenging problems in quantum chemistry and scientific computing more broadly.

Showing early on the tenacity we come to expect in successful scientists, Lin sought out difficult problems when he went from small-town eastern China to Peking University for...

ROTC leaders reflect on a rich and proud history at UC Berkeley

October 13, 2025

Meet ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) leadership at UC Berkeley: CAPT Randy Van Rossum, Lt Col Jeff Fyffe, and LTC Aaron Elliott. Together, they prepare students from Berkeley and the San Francisco Bay Area to become leaders and future military officers.

From Stage to Campus: Jean-Paul Gressieux's Role at TDPS

April 2, 2025
Meet Jean-Paul Gressieux, department manager for the department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS) at UC Berkeley. With a rich background in nonprofit theater management and years of experience at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Jean-Paul brings a unique blend of expertise and passion to his role. From supporting the creative process to fostering collaboration among students, faculty, and staff, he ensures TDPS remains a thriving academic and artistic community.

The Jack of All Trades: Neil Gali's Versatile Journey at L&S

October 2, 2024
Chauncey Walker
Meet Neil Gali, Administrative Associate at the Interdisciplinary Social Science Programs (ISSP) and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) at UC Berkeley. Neil has been instrumental in managing a wide range of tasks, from office logistics to ASE hiring, while contributing to a collaborative and vibrant office environment. Through his diverse experiences across campus, Neil has cultivated an impressive skill set and continues to support both students and faculty in meaningful ways.

The Financial Heart Behind TDPS: Lyazzat Cohen

December 6, 2024
Meet Lyazzat Cohen, Financial Services Analyst for the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies (TDPS).

With over 20 years of experience in finance and qualifications in business administration and cost engineering, Lyazzat excels in supporting TDPS’s creative mission. Lyazzat thrives on solving financial challenges, collaborating with faculty and staff, and applying her expertise to ensure smooth operations.

Geography curriculum planner Alli Warren balances creativity and precision while supporting Berkeley’s mission

May 6, 2025
Chauncey Walker
Meet Alli Warren, Curriculum Planner for UC Berkeley’s Geography Department and Interdisciplinary Social Science Programs (ISSP). With a background in nonprofit work, graduate school administration, and campus curriculum planning, Alli brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to scheduling, enrollment management, and course development. A published poet as well, she balances creativity and precision—both in her writing and in supporting Berkeley’s academic mission behind the scenes.

L&S Staff Honored with 2025 Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Awards

May 1, 2025

event image for Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Awards with a bear statue against a graphic blue background

Five individual staff members from the College of Letters & Science are recipients of the 2025 Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Awards (COSA). One of the highest honors bestowed upon staff by the Chancellor, the COSA awards are presented to individuals who, in addition to performing their normal job duties with excellence, "...

Meet the L&S Training Team: Shaping the Future of Student Support

March 11, 2025
Chauncey Walker
The College of Letters & Science encompasses two-thirds of UC Berkeley's undergraduates - nearly 21,000 students. With over 70 unique majors to choose from, L&S students can create their own paths to inquiry, discovery, and a bright future. Each student is largely supported by L&S advisors who offer compassionate support and guidance throughout their academic journey. Meet the Training Team from the L&S Office of Undergraduate Advising: Tim Cahill, Senior Advising Project Lead, Continuing Training Lead

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