Dawn, tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to work at UCR.

I’ve worked at UC for over 22 years now, starting out as a temporary receptionist at UCSD Scripps Oceanography Graduate Department. It turns out I applied for the permanent job without realizing it, interviewed, and was hired. I loved everything about it, especially working with the graduate students. Luck would have it, I sat right next to the Graduate Coordinator and took every chance I had to learn the job. When they left UCSD, I applied and was hired, and my career in graduate student advising began! I came to UCR six years later as an advisor in the CNAS Graduate Student Affairs Center and worked my way up to Director of Graduate Student Advising. 

 

What was your experience like when you were in graduate school? Did your experience influence how you work with graduate students at UCR?

I returned to my education in 2007 after a 20-year break, completing my AA online, then my BA, then my MA, and finally the EdD in 2020. I’ve always had a student-centered approach to working with graduate students, and my experience in school, and especially in grad school, helped me solidify and clarify it. I learned about Carl Rogers’ Person-centered Approach as an undergrad and applied it to my advising practice, and eventually wove it into my dissertation research. I believe each of us has a unique contribution to make, and I will do everything I can to create spaces for our graduate students to thrive. 

 

What do you want UCR graduate students to know about GradSuccess? What are you most looking forward to when it comes to working at GradSuccess? 

What I most want UCR graduate students to know about GradSuccess is that we are your partners and truly are on your side. Our entire reason for existence is to support grad students in their educational, professional, and personal development. I am most looking forward to having the ability to focus completely on grad student success, supporting all the different programs we have to offer, and making them even better than they already are!

 

We heard that you really enjoy music and dancing! Can you share with us how you got into these interests? What would be on your Spotify playlist right now?

Oh, goodness! I’ve always loved dancing and took classes after school when I was a kid. I wasn’t the best, but I had a lot of fun. I went to my first concert with a friend when I was 18 (my mom finally gave me permission!) I was in the nosebleed section but didn’t care, it was so thrilling just being there.  Dancing and live music make me feel happy and free, and I love the community aspect of it. I enjoy most types of music, and if you were to look at my playlist, it would include salsa, rock en español, Grateful Dead, EDM, 80’s alternative (Cure, Depeche Mode), Billy Strings, and a little bit of Lainey Wilson sprinkled in for variety.

 

Is there anything else you'd like to share with us (e.g., your life in general, your family, or recent events)?

In high school, I wanted to be a Spanish teacher and/or translator for the UN, and I am mostly fluent in Spanish, which came in handy when my husband/partner, who is from Mexico City. We have two teens in the house right now, along with a super cute boxer dog named Buba. I love to figure skate, though, like dancing. I make up for a lack of skill with lots of enthusiasm. I also recently became a hockey fan with our new AHL team in the Coachella Valley…Let’s Go, Firebirds!

 

How can people reach you in GradSuccess, either in person or online?

You can reach me in UOB 131 on Tuesdays and Thursdays in person. My email is dawn.loyola@ucr.edu, phone number is 951-827-4116. You can also set up a Zoom or in-person appointment https://doodle.com/bp/dawnloyola/advising-appointments.

 

I’m always happy to talk to grad students about whatever is on their minds, so please feel free to reach out.