Dorothy Ayer Patten, Ed.d.

Reestablished and led a newly structured Office of the President, introducing clarity, efficiency, and sustainable workflows across budget, personnel, events, space management, emergency response, and front-office operations. Assumed direct leadership of Internal Audit during staff vacancies, corrected legacy issues, and earned praise from the Chancellor’s Office. Revitalized the Organizational Effectiveness unit as a campus-wide resource for institutional improvement. Recognized as a trusted strategist and problem-solver, frequently tapped by the President to lead initiatives requiring cross-divisional collaboration, cultural change, and rapid execution.

Key Accomplishments:

• Transformed New Student Onboarding (NSO): Led the President’s initiative to streamline onboarding, cutting 25+ fragmented steps (45+ clicks) to 6–7, and creating a centralized landing page. Preliminary data indicate significantly improved enrollment outcomes, with increases of XX% in first-year intent to enroll, and XX% in transfer intent to enroll for Fall 2025 compared to Fall 2024.
• Stabilized Internal Audit: Maintained audit oversight single-handedly during staff vacancies, resolving legacy issues, and earning positive feedback from the Chancellor’s Office.
• Revitalized Organizational Effectiveness (OE): Conducted the first institutional inventory of OE work, identified strategic patterns, and positioned OE as a resource for campus-wide improvement.
• Redesigned Budget Processes: Partnered with budget leadership to streamline general fund operations, eliminate redundant transfers, and surface true structural funding gaps.
• Advanced Strategic Initiatives: Helped launch CSUCI’s AI and predictive analytics strategy, coordinated Deloitte’s predictive model, and collaborated on external revenue growth through strengthened contracts and compliance.

Progressively promoted through staff and administrative positions, culminating in an appointment as Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs. Provided strategic leadership for a $23M divisional budget, inclusive of student fees, auxiliary revenues, grants, and general funds; staff resources; assessment and data programs; professional staff development; student communications; and Associated Students, Inc., while serving as a core member of the Division’s executive leadership team.

Key Accomplishments:

• Expanded Evidence-Based Practice: Spearheaded the development of CSUCI’s award-winning Student Affairs Data Dashboard, advancing data-informed decision-making, and mentoring CSU peers in replicating its model.
• Advanced DEIA initiatives: Secured funding and led the expansion of equity-focused student spaces, including the Dolphin Food Pantry, the Multicultural Dream Center, the Black Student Center, the Latinx Student Center, Disability Accommodations & Support Services, lactation and reflection rooms, and outdoor study and lounge areas; resulting in utilization increases of over 70%.
• Launched the Student Marketing Center via a $25,000 award to establish an effective marketing and communication channel for students, by students, with a 43% email open rate (industry standard <30%).
• Enhanced Student Success Infrastructure: Facilitated the DSA-wide expansion of EAB to standardize case management across all units. Partnered with Institutional Research on the development of a new Student Resources Dashboard, with automated EAB uploads.
• Led the Critical Student Fee Referendum: Designed financial models, fee proposals, and a comprehensive student survey to guide the Fall 2025 Student Fee Referendum.
• Directed COVID-19 Response: Co-led the design and administration of CARES emergency grants (ensuring equitable access for FAFSA and non-FAFSA students), and guided the development of campuswide repopulation protocols.
• Managed Emergency & Crisis Response: As a DSA leadership team member, I co-directed responses to the Thomas Fire, the Borderline Bar & Grill mass shooting, and the Hill Fire evacuation.
• Strengthened Divisional Operations: Oversaw 100+ professional recruitments and multiple divisional reorganizations, ensuring continuity through leadership transitions.
• Provided interim departmental leadership: directed EOP, Student Success Services (SSS) grant program, and Inclusive Student Services (ISS) during periods of transition.
• Recognized Institutional Problem Solver: Frequently tapped by the President and senior leaders to lead cross-divisional projects, policy development, and crisis responses.

Rose through successive positions of increasing responsibility, culminating in a role providing executive-level policy, analytical, and operational support to Academic Senate leadership and governance committees, including The UCLA Academic Senate's Executive Council and Legislative Assembly. Directed approval process for endowed chair proposals and systemwide items, authored policy memoranda and official correspondence. Supervised staff and student workers while overseeing departmental compliance in payroll, procurement, and web systems. Spearheaded the AtmySenate initiative, digitizing the full operations of the UCLA Academic Senate.

Supported research and departmental operations by coordinating seminars, managing confidential data, and developing databases for faculty studies.