Friendship and Philanthrophy
Photo: Luis Fonseca, School of Social Sciences
Friendship and Philanthropy
Never doubt the power of a small group of passionate Anteater alumni and friends when they unite behind a shared vision. Since the launch of UC Irvine’s Brilliant Future Campaign in 2019, the School of Social Sciences Dean’s Leadership Society – founded a decade ago with just a dozen alumni – has grown exponentially, spun off the Women of the Dean’s Leadership Society, the campus’s first women’s philanthropy group and, over the course of the campus campaign, provided more than $1.6 million to support programs impacting every corner of the school. Today, this collective force continues to grow, empowering students and faculty while inspiring the next generation of leaders.
“The unwavering support of our Dean’s Leadership Society has enabled the School of Social Sciences to make remarkable strides in fostering academic excellence, advancing groundbreaking research, and creating a nurturing environment for our students and faculty,” said Bill Maurer, dean of the School of Social Sciences. “While each member contributes individually, collectively, their impact has reshaped what it means to be a UCI social sciences student and alumni.”
In 2015, founding DLS co-chairs Janice Cimbalo ’87 and Claudia Keller ’87 launched the “Pave the Way” charter member brick naming campaign, successfully surpassing their goal with 53 charter members. This initiative created a lasting legacy, with each brick symbolizing the strong support and commitment to advancing the mission of the UCI School of Social Sciences.
In 2016, Michelle ’87 and John Williams ’85 graciously stepped in as co-chairs and built on that strong foundation, furthering the society’s growth and impact. They raised visibility and support for the school, bringing longtime friends and fellow alumni into the group and helping the DLS grow to over 120 members whose annual donations support research awards, student scholarships, mentorship programs, public lectures and more. Michelle continued to chair the philanthropic group through the close of her term, while John has joined the school’s Board of Councilors, which advises the dean.
“It’s a really special feeling when you can go back to the school you graduated from and see how much it’s changed, but still feel connected to it. UC Irvine can feel massive, but this group brings people together in a way that feels intimate and motivating because we know we’re empowering the School of Social Sciences. It brings a lot of people joy to be a part of it.”
Supporting Students
The group has supported many initiatives that directly impact students, including renovating a space in Social Science Plaza that serves as a hub for programming such as the Dean’s Ambassadors Council, Mock Trial and Student Academic Enrichment Program (SAEP). DLS has also provided significant support to the popular Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program and funded stipends to offset the travel and living costs for Pell grant-eligible students who participate in the UCDC program.
“I remind my friends that we were given a wonderful opportunity at UC Irvine, getting a great education for a very modest amount,” says John. “So it’s only appropriate that we give back to the school that helped us achieve all that we have.”
Because their own college experience was enriched by extra-curricular activities, John and Michelle are especially proud of the impact DLS has made on student experiences.
“In the end, we can’t forget that students spend years of their lives here at UC Irvine, and we want them to feel like they experienced growth opportunities and did something they’d never done before – whether through mentorship, a club, or a trip,” says Michelle.
Supporting Women
In 2022, Michelle and fellow DLS leaders formed a new group aimed at deepening women’s engagement with the school through philanthropy, leadership and mentoring. The WDLS is UC Irvine’s first and, currently, only women’s giving society.
“We’re creating a space for women to connect and give back, not just through focused philanthropy, but also through their time – in a way that is deeply meaningful to other women,” says Amanda Fowler ’99, who is on the WDLS steering committee. “It’s a space to really lift up each other, connect and create the next leaders coming out of UC Irvine.”
The WDLS signature program is a 10-week course called LeadHER, through which first-generation college students at UC Irvine receive mentorship from women business and community leaders. Last fall, Fowler led a session where students shared and visualized their own definition of happiness and success – something she has found to be a powerful tool in her own life. As Vice President of Global Corporate Giving at Edwards Lifesciences, the medical technology company with more than 16,000 employees worldwide, Fowler arranged for the class to tour the company’s global headquarters in Irvine. The goal was to help students see first-hand how large businesses employ individuals with a wide range of skills – from science, math, engineering and technology (STEM) to marketing and law – and how they collaborate across a corporate campus.
“LeadHER teaches soft skills to complement the technical, research and academic excellence students gain at UC Irvine,” Fowler says. “It’s not only a way for them to learn, but also to see what different job roles might look like and to begin building that bridge to their future.”
It’s a bridge that Fowler hopes goes both ways, encouraging young alumni to stay connected to their alma mater as they build their own successful futures, and inviting them to return to campus to mentor and support the next generations of Anteaters whenever possible.
Keeping it Fun
As a membership society with annual dues ranging from $1,500 to $25,000, the DLS raises money to support the school while also offering educational and social opportunities to members.
One of the most high-impact events created with the support of DLS is the Economic Forum. Launched in 2022, the program brings distinguished faculty, industry leaders and policy experts together to lead conversations about timely financial issues affecting business, individuals and governments – providing valuable insights to business and community leaders.
It’s not just the intellectual stimulation or the joy of philanthropy that keeps DLS members engaged, but the true sense of community and camaraderie the members have created. At one recent event, the Williamses were so busy talking to old friends, reconnecting with faculty and meeting new people that they realized at the end of the evening they had forgotten to eat.
The wide variety of DLS programming ranges from lectures featuring faculty experts on timely topics to an online wine tasting class – keeping members coming back year after year.
A Bright Future
As the group approaches its 10th anniversary, the alumni leaders are beginning to envision the next decade of growth and impact, fostering the DLS as a source of connection and philanthropy that benefits both members and future generations of Anteaters.
“The more you give, the more you receive,” says Fowler. “Once you start giving your time and connecting to students, it creates an infectious energy that keeps growing and growing, leading to even more good things.”
True to form, as the Dean’s Leadership Society continues to grow, its momentum shows no signs of slowing. With more than $1.6 million raised in just over five years and a thriving community of dedicated alumni and friends, the society has become a driving force for student success, faculty innovation, and leadership development.
But this is just the beginning—because when passionate individuals come together with a shared purpose, they don’t just support a university; they shape its future.
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