“What Matters to Me and Why” with Paula Smith ★

Please join us for the 2020-21 “What Matters to Me and Why” discussion!
Who:  Paula Smith, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, UCI
When:  Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at Noon
Where:  Zoom Webinar
Reservations:  RSVP Here

The “What Matters to Me and Why” series continued with a captivating talk by Jack Miles, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English and Religious Studies. We would like to thank those who attended and invite those who could not attend to view recordings of past events here.

The next event will take place on Wednesday, April 7, with a presentation by Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Paula Smith. Paula has 30 years of experience in college athletic administration and is a current member of the NCAA Division I Council and Competition Oversight Committee. She is also active in campus entities such as the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics, the Chancellor’s Advisory Council, and the Campus Ethics and Compliance Risk Committee. Recently she was elected to serve as an ex-officio trustee on the Foundation Board of Trustees. Smith, who is the ninth athletic director in school history, is in her 15th year with the Anteaters and is a member of UCI Athletics’ senior management team. She also provides administrative supervision of UCI’s athletic program and its 18 intercollegiate athletic teams. In addition to her UCI duties, Paula has served on several national committees such as the NCAA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Committee from 2013 to 2017, the Minority Opportunity and Interest Committee, and the Division I Strategic Planning Cabinet.

“What Matters to Me and Why” encourages reflection about values, beliefs and motivations in the lives of those who shape our university. The series explores personal journeys – choices made, difficulties encountered, commitments formed and joys revealed – with the hope that these stories will help us to understand diverse pathways in life, work and leadership. Such understandings are crucial for fortifying tolerance, strengthening bonds, and supporting the virtues that make UCI a great institution.

Please mark your calendar for future “What Matters to Me and Why” speakers:

• May 12 – Anita Casavantes Bradford

Registration opens approximately two to three weeks prior to each event.

We encourage you to join us April 7 to hear Paula Smith’s unique perspectives. Register here to attend the event.