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Dean of Students

Dean of Students

UCR students of various ethnicities, genders and backgrounds walk together across the UCR campus.

The Dean's Leadership Team

 

christine mata

 

Dr. Christine Mata has served as Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students since August 2019. Dr. Mata came to UC Riverside from Cal Poly Humboldt and UCLA. She earned her PhD in Education from UCLA and master's degree from Michigan State University. As a first-generation college student, Dr. Mata earned her bachelor's degree from UC Irvine. Dr. Mata enjoys connecting with students and learning about their dreams and goals. She considers it a privilege to serve the students at UCR and encourages them to dream big. 

 

 

Tony Jimenez

Dr. Jimenez, Associate Dean of Students, has nearly twenty years of experience in higher education.  Before coming to UCR, he was at the Claremont Colleges where he has served as the Dean of Students for Chicano Latino Student Affairs (CLSA).  Dr. Jimenez created a graduate pipeline series at Claremont which resulted in a nearly 100 percent placement in medical school admissions for students who utilized CLSA. Additionally, he created partnerships with R1 Universities that provided paid summer research opportunities to expand access for underrepresented students.  Dr. Jimenez has published on access, equity, and student affairs leadership in higher education and earned his Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois, his Ed.M. in Administration from Harvard University and a B.A. in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz.

 

 

Christine Bender

Dr. Christine Bender, Senior Director of Residential Education, holds a B.A. in Social Science Education, an M.A. in Higher Education Administration, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, where her research focused on women’s leadership and the impact of female mentorship. A former All-American collegiate goalkeeper, Dr. Bender brings the same dedication and teamwork to her work in student affairs. She is deeply engaged in the field through her engagement and leadership with the Western Association of College and University Housing Officers (WACUHO), where she currently serves as President, and serving twice as faculty for the National Housing Training Institute within ACUHO-I. Her professional passions include equity and inclusion, mentorship, and the development of emerging leaders in higher education.

 

SCAIP
 
Tasha Yules, M.S., Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs holds undergraduate degrees in English and sociology from Chapman University, and an M.S. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University. As a career professional in student affairs, she maintains involvement with NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA) and the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI). Before coming to the University of California, her areas of professional focus included Residence Life and programs focused on orientation and first year students. Continuing areas of interest include new professional mentorship and higher education access. 
 
 
 
 
John Valdez
John Valdez, Financial and Administrative Manager, joined UCR after many years of nonprofit work, and since 2022 he has been the Financial and Administrative Manager for the Dean of Students. This position allows him to advise the Dean of Students and the Associate Deans as well as placing full budget and business operation responsibility on him for all departments in the cluster. The youngest of eight children, John was born and raised in the small farming community of San Jacinto. He is a proud graduate of the San Jacinto High School Class of 1988 and he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. The staff, faculty and especially the students here at UCR make it more than just a job for John but his greatest joy in life comes from his family as a father, grandfather (Tata) and husband.
You Belong at UCR

All programs, services, and events offered through Student Affairs are open to everyone, consistent with federal and state law and the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Whether you’re seeking support, joining a community, or participating in campus life, every effort is made to ensure your experience is inclusive, respectful, and accessible, regardless of background or identity.

To learn more, visit the UC Nondiscrimination Statement or the Nondiscrimination Policy Statement for University of California Publications Regarding Student-Related Matters.