“BECOMING A MORE EFFECTIVE INSTITUTION”
Thursday, May 29, 2025
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
314 Royce Hall
2025 Agenda and Online Program
UCLA staff and technologists recently gathered at Royce Hall for the 2025 BruinTech Spring Conference, an energizing day of connection, reflection and shared purpose centered around the theme “Becoming a More Effective Institution,” one of UCLA’s key strategic goals.
From the outset, the event embraced a spirit of unity and shared commitment. BruinTech president Cody Ashe-McNalley, manager, unit information security in Digital & Technology Solutions, opened the day with a welcome to attendees and introduced a video message from Chancellor Julio Frenk, who reinforced the value of collective effort with the reminder that “we all work better when we work together.”
The morning keynote from Lucy Avetisyan, associate vice chancellor and chief information officer, grounded the day in purpose. She spoke to the importance of staying responsive as campus needs shift and technologies evolve, while also reinforcing how individual contributions help advance UCLA’s broader mission.
Referencing the UCLA Digital & Technology Solutions’ Digital Campus Roadmap and strategic priorities, Avetisyan highlighted a vision for a more connected digital environment, supported by campus-wide governance and a collaborative, human-centered approach. “Our greatest asset is our people,” she noted, emphasizing that lasting innovation begins with empowering the individuals who make progress possible.
Kate Miffitt, chief digital experience and engagement officer at the University of California Office of the President, led a theory-based session that invited participants to reflect on how technology can improve, rather than impede, connection and community.
Through small-group discussions, attendees explored how digital tools can be truly transformative when they enhance, rather than replace, human connection. The session reinforced a key insight: learning is inherently social, and meaningful technological advancement happens when growth strengthens relationships and supports collaboration.
That focus on community continued during the Affinity Group Spotlight, which showcased campus-based tech communities working to strengthen collaboration, reimagine instructional support and explore emerging technologies. The spotlight underscored how connection and knowledge-sharing continue to drive innovation across UCLA.
Steve Yu, chief operating officer and chief financial officer of the UCLA South Bay campus, shifted the conversation in the afternoon toward personal development with a session on public speaking. With clarity and practical advice, he offered tools for building confidence and presence, reminding participants that effective communication is a vital skill in every part of campus life, including technology.
Throughout the conference, one message came through clearly: community is the foundation of effectiveness. Whether exploring the potential of new tools, building stronger teams or aligning to strategic goals, the BruinTech Spring Conference showcased how collaboration, innovation and a people-first mindset are driving UCLA forward.
As BruinTech president-elect Stephen Mills, IT manager, UCLA Capital Programs, put it, “Today is a powerful reminder of what’s possible.”
Interested in joining the BruinTech community? Learn more and get involved.
Special Thanks to the BruinTech
Spring Conference Planning Team !
