Program Leadership

The Return to Learn program has been set into motion by a dedicated collective of UC San Diego administrators, public health experts, professors, staff members and student representatives. Learn about the members of each task force and see their preliminary recommendations here.

Return to Learn Program Sponsor: Chancellor Pradeep Khosla

Return to Learn Program Steering Committee 

The Return to Learn Program Steering Committee provides overarching guidance for all campus “Return” task forces, ensuring that groups are aligned and adhering to the science and public health framework stemming from the Return to Learn program.

Co-Leads:

• Patty Maysent, Chief Executive Officer, UC San Diego Health
• Pierre Ouillet, Vice Chancellor, Chief Financial Officer

Program Leaders:

• Epidemiology: Natasha Martin, D.Phil., Associate Professor of Medicine
• Infectious Disease: Chip Schooley, M.D., Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health
• Public Health: Cheryl Anderson, Ph.D., Professor and Dean of The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego
• Operations and Project Director: Bob Neuhard, Executive Director, Operational Strategic Initiatives

Health Leaders:

• Angela Scioscia, M.D., Interim Executive Director of Student Health and Wellness
• Chris Longhurst, M.D., M.S., Chief Information Officer and Associate Chief Medical Officer, UC San Diego Health
• Brendan Kremer, Chief Administrative Officer – Operations, UC San Diego Health
• Steve Gonias, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Pathology
• David Pride, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pathology

Chancellor’s Cabinet:

• Jeff Gattas, Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff
• Nancy Resnick, Campus Chief Human Resources Officer
• Anne Buckley, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

Research Leaders:

• Eugene Yeo, Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
• Rob Knight, Professor of Pediatrics and Computer Science & Engineering

Subject Matter Experts and Operational Support:

• Hemlata Jhaveri, Executive Director, Housing, Dining, Hospitality
• Ted Johnson, Associate Controller and Chief Procurement Officer
• Vince Kellen, Chief Information Officer
• Alison Sanders, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff, Academic Affairs
• Judy Bruner, Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer
• Faith Hawkins, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Research Affairs
• Alysson Satterlund, Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs
• Ben White, Director, Student Conduct

See preliminary steering committee recommendations »

Return to Research Task Force

This task is focused on developing plans and procedures to guide a phased return to on-site research at UC San Diego, including monitoring of compliance with the policy. 

More information about research ramp-up can be found here.

Project Leads:

• Miroslav Krstic, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Affairs
• James McKerrow, Dean, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

See Return to Research Task force preliminary recommendations »

Return to Campus Task Force

This task force is developing recommendations related to the timeline and conditions for returning to in-person work for staff/administration, including addressing any issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion. In addition, the task force will consider whether the expertise acquired by the university during this remote work period presents opportunities for future consideration. Note that all recommendations are within the guidance of local and other public health authorities but could be superseded at a later date.

Project Leads:

• Margaret Leinen, Vice Chancellor, Marine Sciences/Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography
• Nancy Resnick, Chief Human Resources Officer
• Jeff Gattas, Associate Chancellor and Chief of Staff
• Vince Kellen, Chief Information Officer

See Return to Campus Task Force preliminary recommendations »

Additional recommendation: inform employees working remotely that they will not return to in-person work until after December 31 (absent operational need and direction from the employee’s supervisor).

Educational Continuity Task Force

This task force is focused on preserving the university’s teaching and learning mission. 

Project Leads:

• Carlos Jensen, Associate Vice Chancellor for Educational Innovation
• Alison Sanders, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Preliminary task force recommendations forthcoming.

Remote Student Experience Task Force

This task force is making recommendations for supporting a student-centered, remote learning environment.

Project Leads:

• Alysson Satterlund, Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs
• Kimberly Giangtran, President, Associated Students
• Quynh Nguyen, President, Graduate Student Association
• Rachel Flanagan, Immediate Past President, Graduate Student Association
• Hannah Kreitman, Vice President of Campus Affairs, Associated Students
• Melina Reynoso, Marshall College Senator, Associated Students
• Alicia Yancey, intern, Cross-Cultural Center

See Remote Student Experience Task Force preliminary recommendations »

Return to Sport Action Team

This group is addressing the return to participation issues associated with the Intercollegiate Athletics program and the scholar-athletes in light of public health guidance.

Project Leads:

• Wendy Taylor May, Deputy Director of Athletics
• Vanessa Yang, Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine

Preliminary task force recommendations forthcoming.

University-wide Events Task Force

This task force is focused on adapting major campus events for the virtual campus experience in light of public health guidance.

Project Lead: 

• Sharon Van Bruggen, Executive Director of University Centers

Preliminary task force recommendations forthcoming.

Travel Task Force

This task force focused on addressing travel-related issues as part of the transition toward in-person campus operations.

Project Leads:

• Faith Hawkins, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Affairs
• Adele Brumfield, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management

See Travel Task Force preliminary recommendations »

Environmental Testing/Wastewater Work Group

Developing wastewater testing protocols in order to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA quickly to limit potential for outbreaks on campus.

Project Leads:

• Rob Knight, Professor of Pediatrics and Computer Science & Engineering
• Smiruthi Kathikeyan, Postdoctoral scholar, Pediatrics
• Bob Neuhard, Executive Director, Operational Strategic Initiatives

Preliminary task force recommendations forthcoming.