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Meet the Staff

The IDEA Center Team

Alex Phan, Ph.D. (he/him/his)

Executive Director for Student Success

alexphan@ucsd.eduÌý| 858-822-4636

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Responsibilities: Dr. Alex Phan provides leadership and direction for student success-centered initiatives, programs, and curriculum refinement. He works closely with IDEA Center staff to optimize resources, create access points to programs within Jacobs School of Engineering and general campus, and develops strategies to foster students’ personal, academic, and professional excellence. As the EDSS, Alex strives to synergize the six departments within the Jacobs School of Engineering through programs, initiatives, and research focusing on areas vital to student success in engineering.

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Jackie Duerr, Ed.D. (she/her/hers)

Director

jduerr@ucsd.eduÌý| 858-246-5268

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Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership
Masters of Science in Education with a specialization in Counseling & Guidance
Bachelors of ArtsÌýin Psychology with a concentration in Counseling & Family Psychology

See Jackie for...

  • Jacobs School Scholars
  • IDEA Scholars
  • Summer Engineering Institute
  • Strategic planning
  • Good eats in San Diego

The advice I have for engineering students is... You'll actually remember more if you study in small doses rather than in one big sit. So take a break. It's good for your brain.

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Headshot Photo of Sara Eckardt

Sara Eckardt (she/her/hers)

Assistant Director

sleckardt@ucsd.eduÌý| 858-822-3780

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Sara is a proud Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Alum (Class of 2016) with a degree is Cognitive Science. She has worked across different departments at Âé¶¹´«Ã½ since 2016 (HDH, Seventh College, Jacobs School of Engineering). Sara is passionate about the student journey whether it's academic, professional, or personal. Feel free to reach out to Sara to request a short meeting to connect! Fun Fact: It surprises most people that I'm really an introvert and prefer solitude to recover and reset with a book and my cat :)

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  • Engineering Learning Communities
  • Coaching
  • Events and Operations Support
  • Supervises Student Employees

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Jessica Baldis, M.S. (she/her/hers)

Strategic Initiatives and Assessment Senior Analyst

jbaldis@ucsd.eduÌý| 858-534-6779

Office hours: By appointment

Responsibilities: Jessica develops and implements methods for assessing the impact of IDEA Engineering Student Center initiatives on student retention and success.

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Student Interns

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MeryÌý

IDEA Center InternÌý

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KarenÌý

IDEA Center InternÌý

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OliviaÌý

IDEA Center InternÌý

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AnthonyÌý

IDEA Center InternÌý

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AdvitaÌý

IDEA Center InternÌý

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JewelleÌý

IDEA Center Intern: Graphic Design/Marketing

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Michelle

IDEA Center Intern: Graphic Design/Marketing

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Jean Paul

Media Intern

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Ariel

Research and Assessment Intern

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Chirag

Research and Assessment Intern

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Jenna

Special Initiatives Graduate Student AssistantÌý

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Sarine

IDEA Scholars Program Assistant

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Rylee

IDEA Scholars Program Assistant

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Ava

IDEA Scholars Program Assistant


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