Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Ramon Resa

Dr. Ramon ResaDr. Ramon Resa is a father, pediatrician and author of Out of the Fields: My Journey from Farmworker Boy to Pediatrician. Abandoned by his single mother, Ramon was raised by a farm-working couple along with 14 other children in a household of extreme poverty, physical and sexual abuse, and alcoholism. Education was totally neglected.

In elementary school, a severe speech impediment made it difficult for Ramon to learn to speak English. One teacher gave him hope that he could get an education and make a better life for himself. Ramon had to overcome low self-esteem, depression and racism. A high school counselor told him he wasn't smart enough to go to college. His guardians forbade him to leave for college, insisting he get a factory job to repay them for taking him in.

But Ramon succeeded, against all odds. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, he attended UC Irvine Medical School, completed his pediatric residency at UCSF Fresno and has been in private practice, treating farm-working families, for over 30 years. Dr. Resa is a living example to his young patients that anyone can make a better life for themselves.

Dr. Resa and his wife Debbie have two children. Joshua Resa graduated from Stanford and UCSF Medical School. He, too, is a pediatrician. Daughter Marina Resa graduated from UCSC and then earned a family counseling degree. She is also a successful actress in film and television.

A documentary film of Ramon Resa's story is scheduled for release in 2019. A shorter version of "Ramon Rising" will be available to schools.

Campus Host: UC San Diego

Pradeep K. Khosla

Pradeep K. KhoslaPradeep K. Khosla, UC San Diego's eighth Chancellor, is an internationally renowned electrical and computer engineer recognized for his seminal contributions software, intelligent robot systems and design. He provides vision and strategy for the university, leading a campus with more than 35,000 students, six undergraduate colleges, five academic divisions, five graduate and professional schools, a preeminent Health System and the prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography. UC San Diego employs more than 30,000 people and has a $5.3 billion total budget that includes more than $1.2 billion in sponsored research.

Khosla has positioned UC San Diego to define the future of the public research university by activating the institution's first-ever Strategic Plan and launching the Campaign for UC San Diego — an ambitious and bold $2 billion endeavor — aimed at transforming the university, physically and intellectually. Khosla has expanded college access and affordability for underserved populations, initiated campus-wide interdisciplinary research initiatives to foster collaboration and solve societal and strengthened university and community relationships and partnerships to drive regional impact. Khosla previously served as Dean of the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.

Plenary Speakers

  • Shawn Brick, Interim Director for Student Financial Support, Student Affairs, UC Office of the President
  • Adele Brumfield, Associate Vice Chancellor, Enrollment Management, UC San Diego
  • Taisha Caldwell-Harvey, Mental Health Program Manager and Policy Analyst, UC Office of the President
  • Ruben Canedo, Director, Equity Initiatives, UC Berkeley
  • Penny Edgert, Executive Director, California Education Round Table Intersegmental Coordinating Committee (ICC)
  • Liz Halimah, Associate Vice Provost, Diversity and Engagement, UC Office of the President
  • Isaiah Lankham, Senior Research Analyst, Diversity and Engagement, UC Office of the President
  • Stephanie Reyes-Tuccio, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Center for Educational Partnerships, UC Irvine
  • Lindsay Romasanta, Director, Student Success Programs, UC San Diego