Our Purpose

What started in the early 2000’s as an engineering student services office focused on outreach, recruitment and yield morphed over time to meet the nuanced needs of the ever-changing Triton Engineer. 

Re-imagined in 2010 as the IDEA Student Center, the Center assumed a bold charge to expand opportunity, access, and student success at a moment when higher education nationwide was grappling with these priorities. 

Today, the IDEA Engineering Student Center is a cornerstone of academic enrichment, professional success, and student belonging at the Jacobs School of Engineering. The Center remains committed to supporting the academic momentum, persistence, and graduation of all Triton Engineers, empowering them to thrive from their first year through graduation and beyond.

 

Vision

Every engineering student thrives personally, academically, and professionally.

Mission

Cultivate and facilitate a culture of inclusive participation, engaging every engineering student toward achieving success, building community, and advancing equity from admission through to graduation.

Values

Inclusion            
Diversity            
Excellence            
Achievement

 

 

IDEA Services in Action

 

 

Goals

As we look toward the future, our strategic goals pave the way for deeper engagement, enhanced support systems, and greater equity across the Jacobs School of Engineering.

 

Enhance student academic success and progression towards graduation through innovative, research-informed, culturally competent, and student-centered practices.  

Empower students to achieve professional goals and cultivate their individualized engineering identity by fostering career and research readiness.  

Establish a nexus community within the Jacobs School of Engineering supported by robust infrastructure and resources, serving as an inclusive and welcoming environment to meet students' individualized and diverse needs.  

 

Meet the Staff

 

Alex Phan, Ph.D. (he/him/his)

alexphan@ucsd.edu | 858-822-4636

Executive Director for Student Success

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Jackie Duerr, Ed.D. (she/her/hers)

jduerr@ucsd.edu | 858-246-5268

Director

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Jessica Baldis, M.S. (she/her/hers)

jbaldis@ucsd.edu | 858-534-6779

Strategic Initiatives and Assessment Senior Analyst

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Sara Eckardt (she/her/hers)

sleckardt@ucsd.edu

Assistant Director

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Tyler Vuillemot, M.A. -(he/him/his)

tvuillemot@ucsd.edu | 858-534-0553

Student Success Coordinator

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Susan Morris (she/her/hers)

sum006@ucsd.edu

Admin Assistant 3

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Directions


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Mailing Address:             
UC San Diego             
ATTN: IDEA Engineering Student Center             
9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0429             
La Jolla, CA 92093-0429

Physical Location:             
UC San Diego             
Jacobs Hall, Suite 1400             
Engineers Lane             
San Diego, CA 92161

 

Directions From Interstate 5

  1. Exit at Genesee Avenue and head west.
  2. Turn left onto North Torrey Pines Rd.
  3. Turn left onto North Point Drive.
  4. The UC San Diego Visitor Information Center is located on intersection North Point Drive and North Point Lane, where you may obtain specific directions, visitor parking information and passes, and a campus map.**
  5. North Point Drive bears right and becomes Hopkins Drive
  6. Turn left onto Voigt Drive.

 

Parking

 

IDEA Engineering Student Center
UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0429
La Jolla, CA 92093-0429

Directions

(858) 534-6105

idea@ucsd.edu

 

 

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