UCR Student Alumni Association

🎬 Dreaming of a career in film, media, or the arts? Highlanders, this is your chance!

Connect with UC Riverside alumni making waves in film, media, and creative industries! Join us for an inspiring evening of networking, career insights, and creativity:

🍽️ Dinner with Alumni — Careers in Arts & Entertainment
📅 Wednesday, April 22, 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Alumni & Visitors Center (AVC)
💵 $10

Enjoy a sit-down dinner, panel Q&A, and meaningful networking with alumni who have turned their passions into dynamic careers in arts, media, and entertainment. Their experience includes work with top organizations such as Broadway, Hulu, Warner Bros., CBS, VH1, Bravo TV, Sony Pictures, HBO, Netflix, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Disneyland Resort, and more.

Gain first-hand advice on career paths, life after UCR, and breaking into the creative industries — straight from alumni who’ve been there.

Hosted by & Alumni Relations Committee, sponsored by &

🎟️ Limited spots — register now! Link in bio or visit: alumni.ucr.edu/dwa-entertainment

🎬 Dreaming of a career in film, media, or the arts? Highlanders, this is your chance!

Connect with UC Riverside alumni making waves in film, media, and creative industries! Join us for an inspiring evening of networking, career insights, and creativity:

🍽️ Dinner with Alumni — Careers in Arts & Entertainment
📅 Wednesday, April 22, 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Alumni & Visitors Center (AVC)
💵 $10

Enjoy a sit-down dinner, panel Q&A, and meaningful networking with alumni who have turned their passions into dynamic careers in arts, media, and entertainment.

Gain first-hand advice on career paths, life after UCR, and breaking into the creative industries — straight from alumni who’ve been there.

Hosted by & Alumni Relations Committee, sponsored by &

🎟️ Limited spots — register now! Link in bio or visit: alumni.ucr.edu/dwa-entertainment

✨ 1 MORE DAY until 10th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), sponsored by and supported by the Alumni Relations Committee.

📅 Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Location: Highlander Union Hub (HUB) 302

Featuring:
🎤 Panelist: Deidre Reyes ’21, M.A ’23
🐻 UCR Involvement: , , , , .riverside, .sdu, , &

💼 Current Employment: Deputy Public Guardian, County of San Bernardino

🎤 Panelist: Erin Warnock-Smith ’12
💼 Current Employment: Human Resources Business Partner, UCPath Center

Breakout Session III – Panel:
🚀 “If I Knew Then: Lessons for Life and Leadership”

📝 What would you tell your younger self if you could go back in time? In this inspiring and reflective panel, alumni share the lessons and insights they wish they had known during their educational and early career journeys. Panelists will explore challenges they faced, pivotal decisions that shaped their paths, and strategies they used to turn obstacles into opportunities for growth. Attendees will gain practical advice on leadership, resilience, career development, and personal growth, while discovering how reflection and storytelling can guide their own journeys toward success.

Over 95 students, alumni, staff, and community members are already registered for this empowering experience — thank you for the incredible response! 🫶🏽✨

We can’t wait to see everyone there. 💛🐻💙

✨ 1 MORE DAY until 10th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), sponsored by and supported by the Alumni Relations Committee.

📅 Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Location: Highlander Union Hub (HUB) 302

Featuring:
🎤 Speaker: Aundraya N. Williams ’99
🐻 UCR Involvement: Alumni Engagement Committee & Scholarship Selection Committee, Student Alumni Mentorship Program, and .oc
💼 Current Employment: Human resources Specialist, Heluna Health

Breakout Session III
🚀 “Stand Out & Get Hired: Strategies for Competing in Today’s Job Market”

📝 The 2026 job market demands more than simply submitting applications — it requires strategy, visibility, and adaptability. In this presentation, participants will learn how to navigate today’s hiring landscape using targeted job search methods, modern networking strategies, and technology-aware application techniques. From leveraging online tools and alumni connections to understanding screening systems and skills-based hiring trends, attendees will leave with a clear, step-by-step approach to securing opportunities in a competitive market.

Over 95 students, alumni, staff, and community members are already registered for this empowering experience — thank you for the incredible response! 🫶🏽✨

We can’t wait to see everyone there. 💛🐻💙

✨ 1 MORE DAY until 10th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), sponsored by and supported by the Alumni Relations Committee.

📅 Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Location: Highlander Union Hub (HUB) 302

Featuring:
🎤 Speaker: Anna Sanchez ’15 |
🐻 UCR Involvement:
💼 Current Employment: Co-Managing Partner, Kiehn|Sanchez

🎤 Speaker: Judith Osorio ’14
🐻 UCR Involvement: , , and
💼 Current Employment: Learning and Development Lead, Deloitte

🎤 Speaker: Dr. Nerli Paredes Ruvalcaba ’15
🐻 UCR Involvement:
💼 Current Employment: Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Michigan State University

Breakout Session II – Panel:
🚀 “From Student-Parents to Changemakers: The Power of Storytelling”

📝 As former student-parent activists and leaders of R’Kids at UCR, this dynamic panel brings together four alumni to reflect on the lessons learned throughout their undergraduate and professional journeys. Through powerful storytelling, panelists will share how their lived experiences as student-parents shaped their leadership, advocacy, and career pathways. This session will explore how personal narratives can be used as tools for empowerment, policy influence, and community impact. Attendees will gain insight into navigating higher education while parenting, building supportive networks, and transforming challenges into platforms for social change.

Over 95 students, alumni, staff, and community members are already registered for this empowering experience — thank you for the incredible response! 🫶🏽✨

We can’t wait to see everyone there. 💛🐻💙

✨ 1 MORE DAY until 10th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), sponsored by and supported by the Alumni Relations Committee.

📅 Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Location: Highlander Union Hub (HUB) 302

Featuring:
🎤 Speaker: Daisy De Anda ’09 |
💼 Current Employment: Legal Practice Area Consultant, LexisNexis Legal & Professional

Breakout Session II:
🚀 “Resume 101: Winning Strategies for the 2026 Job Market”

📝 In today’s competitive and technology-driven job market, a strong resume is more than a summary of experience — it is a strategic marketing tool. This interactive session will provide practical, up-to-date guidance on building a resume that stands out in the 2026 hiring landscape. Participants will learn how to tailor resumes for applicant tracking systems (ATS), highlight transferable skills, quantify achievements, and position themselves effectively for emerging roles. Whether entering the workforce, pivoting careers, or seeking advancement, attendees will leave with actionable strategies to craft a polished, results-driven resume that captures attention and opens doors.

Over 95 students, alumni, staff, and community members are already registered for this empowering experience — thank you for the incredible response! 🫶🏽✨

We can’t wait to see everyone there. 💛🐻💙

✨ 1 MORE DAY until 10th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), sponsored by and supported by the Alumni Relations Committee.

📅 Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Location: Highlander Union Hub (HUB) 302

Featuring:

🎤 Speaker: Annalicia Garcia
🐻 UCR Involvement: &
💼 Current Employment: Assistant Director of Programming & Career Development, UCR Office of Alumni Engagement

Breakout Session I:
🚀 “From Passion to Profit: Turning Your Hobby into a Business”

📝 Many successful businesses begin as simple hobbies, passion projects, or side hustles. In this session, participants will learn how to transform their interests and creative pursuits into sustainable business opportunities. The presentation will explore practical steps such as developing a brand, building an online presence, and leveraging digital platforms to reach customers. This session will also highlight how individuals can strategically use social media to build an audience, showcase their work, and attract customers, while using search engine optimization (SEO) to increase visibility and reach. Whether you are exploring an idea or already running a side hustle, this session will provide strategies to help you take the next step toward building and promoting your business through social media.

Over 95 students, alumni, staff, and community members are already registered for this empowering experience — thank you for the incredible response! 🫶🏽✨

We can’t wait to see everyone there. 💛🐻💙

✨ 1 MORE DAY until 10th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), sponsored by and supported by the Alumni Relations Committee.

📅 Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Location: Highlander Union Hub (HUB) 302

Featuring:

🎤 Speaker: Tamra Simpson ’11
🐻 UCR Involvement: .bsu
💼 Current Employment: Founder/CEO, L.E.A.D LLC

Breakout Session I:
🚀 “Beyond the Status Quo: 5 Leadership Moves You Can Use Tomorrow”

📝 In today’s dynamic workplace, strong leadership is rooted in self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to communicate effectively. This interactive session, led by Tamra Simpson, will provide practical tools for women to navigate workplace challenges with clarity, confidence, and intention. Drawing on her experience as an educational leader, researcher, and author, Tamra will guide participants through strategies for cultivating emotional intelligence, building meaningful mentorship relationships, and mastering communication techniques that drive influence and collaboration. Attendees will leave with actionable practices — including reflection prompts, boundary-setting strategies, and leadership exercises — that support sustainable growth and prevent burnout, whether they are early-career professionals or seasoned leaders.

Over 95 students, alumni, staff, and community members are already registered for this empowering experience — thank you for the incredible response! 🫶🏽✨

We can’t wait to see everyone there. 💛🐻💙

📣 Highlanders! 🐻✨

Whether you’re a student, recent grad, experienced alum, faculty/staff, or community member — the 10th Annual Women’s Leadership Conference is your space to connect, grow, and thrive.

➡️ Ready to launch your career with confidence?
➡️ Navigating a pivot or your next professional chapter?
➡️ Looking to expand your influence and network?

✅ We’re here to help you rise.

For a decade, the Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC) has empowered Highlanders to seize opportunities and build meaningful connections. Join and for a day dedicated to igniting your career and cultivating new skills through the power of community.

📅 Event Details:
Saturday, March 7, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 UCR — Highlander Union Hub (HUB) 302

✨ What to Expect:
🎤 Influential Keynote Speakers
📝 Skill Development Workshops
🤝 Impactful Networking Connections

⭐ Featuring | Keynote Speaker (morning):
Judge Susan DeWitt ’83

A trailblazing legal leader and this year’s UCR Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, serves on the Los Angeles County Superior Court following a distinguished career that includes two decades as an Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting national security, organized crime, and violent crime cases. A two-time California Lawyer Attorney of the Year, she is recognized globally for her anti-corruption work and locally for advancing judicial innovation and inclusion.

⭐ Featuring | Keynote Speakers (afternoon):
Council Member Nikki Perez ’16

A dedicated public servant and social worker, is the youngest person to serve as Mayor in Burbank’s history and made history in 2022 as the city’s first Indigenous (K’iche’) and openly LGBTQIA+ Council Member. A UCR graduate with dual degrees in Psychology and Music Performance, she now serves on the California Film Commission by appointment of Governor Newsom while advancing landmark programs for unhoused students and continuing her work as a Clinical Social Worker.

10 years of impact. A lifetime of connections. Don’t miss out — secure your spot today! 💛🐻💙

📲 Register at: alumni.ucr.edu/wlc26 (link in bio)

This year, and Alumni Relations Committee participated in the 12th Annual Highlander Day of Service at the University of California, Riverside — an event hosted by and that brings together students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members to give back through meaningful service projects. 💛🐻💙

We teamed up with UCR Facilities Services for the Campus Beautification Project at the UCR Fine Arts Building, spreading over 4 yards of mulch to maintain the landscape. 🪣🧹

uses sustainable practices and avoids chemical w**d control because UCR is a research campus studying local plants and ecosystems. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, supports plant health, and naturally reduces w**d growth. 🌱

Over 20+ volunteers joined us, proving that small efforts can make a big impact. See you next year! 💛💙