A passion for people and purpose
There’s no place like home. For Jennifer dos Santos, the memorable movie line is a fitting description of a career coming full circle. On October 1, dos Santos began her tenure as the new assistant dean of the School of Social Sciences, stepping into the school’s top staff leadership role after serving for the summer in an interim capacity. The appointment marks a particularly meaningful milestone for the Anteater alumna who found her professional footing in social sciences more than a decade ago.
“The opportunity to be back in social sciences feels like a homecoming,” she says. “Many of the people I got to know in my previous roles are still here, along with the strong sense of community that I loved being a part of. I’m excited to reconnect, get to know the many new members who’ve since joined the school, listen and learn from them, and continue finding ways to bring people together around our shared mission.”
Community and connections
Building community is a hallmark of the people-centric leadership style dos Santos has honed over her nearly two-decade career at UCI. That journey has taken her to five departments spanning four different schools, including African American studies and English in humanities; economics and anthropology in social sciences; and math in physical sciences before she landed the assistant dean position in social ecology. Along the way, dos Santos developed a deep understanding of university operations and the complexities of supporting academic units, while finding that the most rewarding part of understanding and refining administrative puzzles and processes was getting to know and work alongside the people behind them.
“People are a critical piece in every successful structure at UCI,” she says. “As I’ve moved around into different roles, it’s been so great to see how strong teams and relationships shape the work across campus. I also really love running into so many familiar faces in meetings, at the park and around Ring Road who continue to be a foundation of this community. Seeing people make their careers here is a testament to the great environment in which we all work.”
That appreciation for connection developed over time. Growing up, dos Santos was naturally quiet and deeply independent, pursuing with a voracious passion interests in gymnastics, ballet, and music - disciplines that demanded a singular, individual level of focus. She majored in music at UCI and became a professional flautist, spending countless hours in quiet practice rooms perfecting her craft before performing around the world in front of packed opera houses and concert halls.
When her professional pathway eventually led her full-time into higher ed management and administration at her alma mater, a different side emerged. As her work became increasingly centered on teams, collaboration and leadership, dos Santos discovered how much she valued relationships and the shared purpose that comes from working toward something together. Over time, UCI helped transform someone who had once been most comfortable working independently into a leader who draws energy from bringing people together.
“As a musician, you spend a lot of time in practice rooms by yourself, and that was very comfortable for me,” she says “My career at UCI introduced me to how energizing it can be to work with people, build teams and accomplish something together. That’s what makes the campus so special - there are so many great people here.”
Shared opportunities
When social sciences assistant dean Becky Avila retired in June, dos Santos, who had already been working closely with the school through several shared-services initiatives, stepped in to help. During the interim, she balanced leadership responsibilities across both social ecology and social sciences, providing continuity, operational guidance and support while drawing on her experience in organizational effectiveness, staff development and navigating complex university processes.
“She did a wonderful job ensuring all needs were met, the lights stayed on and we continued to advance our world-class pursuit of research, teaching and service,” says Bill Maurer, social sciences dean. “It was also a great opportunity for those of us who have previously worked with Jennifer to reengage, reconnect and remember the many excellent qualities she brings that enhance our school.”
Following an open, national search, dos Santos stood out as the most fitting candidate to fill the school’s key leadership position - an opportunity she happily accepted.
“I’m excited we were able to bring Jennifer back to social sciences, where her broad UCI experience, collaborative leadership style, and background in music bring a unique blend of perspective and creativity that will serve her well as she helps move our mission forward,” says Maurer.
Finding healthy balance
With the new role comes a host of responsibilities; social sciences encompasses nine departments, 18 research centers, more than 5,500 students and just over 300 faculty, lecturers and staff. As assistant dean, dos Santos serves as the senior staff leader who works alongside the dean to translate the school’s big-picture goals into clear day-to-day actions and people-powered priorities. That’s perhaps the part of the role she’s most excited to take on. Having “grown up” at UCI and benefited from dedicated mentors along the way, she’s eager to pay it forward to new staff who are just beginning their professional journeys.
“I firmly believe better leaders benefit the university, and I’m committed to mentoring those around me to help them grow,” she says. “I want to help others build confidence and develop the tools and skills they need to move forward. I think that’s one of the most gratifying things I can do to give back as a leader.”
She hopes her story will inspire others to think about a career at UCI and envision themselves in a leadership position one day. Right now, she’s focusing on getting her feet wet again in social sciences while still delivering excellent support and service as the interim assistant dean for social ecology.
To effectively accomplish all of that, she’s relying on a healthy understanding of work-life balance. While she no longer performs professionally, dos Santos continues to enjoy music and playing the piano, an instrument she’s practiced since grade school. She’s also a very active mom to her busy seven-year-old, and an avid athlete with several top body building competition finishes to her name. Brazilian jiu-jitsu has become another important part of family life. She and her husband train regularly at a local gym, often alongside their son, and have built close friendships with a dedicated group of fellow grapplers who have become like a second family — or perhaps a third, when you count the Anteater community that fills her work week.
“It’s so wonderful to be back in social sciences, and I’m excited about the coming year, listening, reconnecting, and creating opportunities for collaboration.”
-Heather Ashbach, UCI Social Sciences