Edward Abeyta: Director
Edward L. Abeyta, Ph.D. is currently the Registrar and Director of Academic Services at UC San Diego (UCSD) Extension. Prior to joining UCSD Extension in 1995, Edward began his service at UCSD as a counselor for the Early Academic Outreach Program serving underrepresented students in San Diego high schools. Dr. Abeyta has a B.A. from the University of New Mexico, a M.A. from the University of San Diego and his Ph.D. in Post Secondary Adult Education from Capella University. Edward has been recognized from UCSD and the UC Office of the President for his involvement in staff diversity and development initiatives. He is an alumni and member of LEAD San Diego and currently serves as a board member on the City of San Diego Citizens Review Board on Police Practices and the San Diego Workforce Advancement Board. Recently, Edward was selected to receive the San Diego Metropolitan Magazines "40 under 40" award that recognizes the region's young business and civic leaders. He is also a founding board member of the newly established San Diego Urban Discovery Charter School.

Patrick Scott-Klingborg: Program Assistant
Patrick graduated from Sixth College at UC San Diego in 2008 with a BA in Political Science.  Originally from Northern California, Patrick has lived in San Diego for the past five years and has loved every minute of it.  In his spare time, Patrick enjoys exploring wildlife around the world with his family and has visited Alaska, the Galapagos Islands, and the Okavango Delta in Botswana.  Patrick began working for UCSD Extension in 2006 as an undergraduate student worker. He joined the Academic Connections team in April 2009.

Marciano Perez, Jr.: Resident Dean
Marciano Perez, Jr. will be serving as the Resident Dean for Academic Connections. He has been on staff at UCSD for seven years and during the academic year he serves as the Resident Dean of Sixth College. Marciano has a Masters degree in Higher Education Administration from Ball State University and a BA in Spanish Literature from Denison University. As Resident Dean, Marciano is responsible for managing the residential component of the Academic Connections program.
Marciano has been working in Higher Education for over 14 years. Prior to coming to UCSD, he worked as a Resident Director at UC Davis and as an Assistant Resident Director at Ball State University. Other work experience has included working as a Residential Counselor at two public high schools in Indiana and Illinois.

Greg Mallis: Assistant Resident Dean
Greg Mallis will be serving as one of the Assistant Resident Deans for the program this summer. He has lived most of his life in Southern California, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from UC San Diego. Over the past two years, Greg has been studying Clinical Psychology at the University of Indianapolis where he will earn his Master’s Degree in May 2009.  He is currently working towards his doctorate in the same field.  Greg has been involved with Academic Connections previously, working as the Assistant Resident Dean for the program in 2007. He has also been a Resident Advisor for college students and for programs similar to Academic Connections. His experience with this age group and with summer programs will be extremely helpful for the program. This year, as an Assistant Resident Dean, Greg will supervise the Resident Advisors to make sure that the residential experience is as beneficial as it can be for our students.