Today, the UC San Diego Library announced the addition of Heather Hernández as chief administrative officer (CAO). Hernández, who assumes her new role September 1, will direct accounting, finance, operations, administration and human resource functions at the Library.
“We are fortunate to have Heather join our senior leadership team at the UC San Diego Library,” said Audrey Geisel University Librarian Erik Mitchell. “She has a proven ability to lead and support growth initiatives, which will benefit the Library as we strive to advance the mission and goals of the university. Her expertise in providing strategic and operational leadership will be instrumental in helping the Library make new investments in support of research and learning.”
A long-time employee at UC San Diego, Hernández is familiar with the university’s mission and values. Most recently she served as a transformational healthcare coach at UC San Diego Health, a position she assumed in 2018. During her time in that role, she provided guidance and process-oriented approaches to enhance institutional performance and consulted with leaders, departments, and committees to address change management.
Prior to her role at UC San Diego Health, she served in three different capacities at UC San Diego from 2010 to 2018—director of gastroenterology services; division administrator, gastroenterology; and division administrator, nephrology. From 2007 to 2010, Hernández held a position as compliance manager at The Scripps Research Institute.
“This appointment not only marks a new chapter in my career, but also allows me to continue my committed service to the University of California San Diego,” said Hernández. “In this new role, I plan to leverage my experience as an administrator to help the Library bring its strategic priorities to fruition. I will also do my part to ensure the organization achieves and embraces diversity, equity and inclusion and maintains its position as one of the nation’s top 25 academic libraries.”
Hernández holds a master’s in business administration (MBA) from National University and a certificate in Advanced Lean Training from the Virginia Mason Institute. She is also a Prosci-certified change practitioner. She replaces Tammy Dearie, who retired from the role in 2019 after a 32-year career with the university.
For more information on the UC San Diego Library’s strategic priorities, click here or email ucsdlibrary@ucsd.edu.
About the UC San Diego Library
The UC San Diego Library, ranked among the nation’s top 25 public academic libraries, plays a critical role in advancing and supporting the university’s research, teaching, patient care, and public service missions. The world-renowned research for which UC San Diego is known starts at the UC San Diego Library, which provides the foundation of knowledge needed to advance cutting-edge discoveries in a wide range of disciplines, from healthcare and science to public policy and the arts.
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Media Contacts:
Nikki Kolupailo
Communications & Engagement Director
UC San Diego Library
(858) 534-0667
nkolupailo@ucsd.edu
April Green
Communications Manager
UC San Diego Library
(858) 822-4803
atgreen@ucsd.edu