In 2007, Katya was appointed Assistant Dean of Student Activities in Student Life, where she later became an associate dean and director of the Office of Student Life (OSL). In 2012, she received her doctorate (Ed.D.) in educational leadership from a joint program between UCSB and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. And since 2015, Katya has served as Dean of Student Life. Katya’s most memorable contributions to Student Life include working with groups of students to bring their ideas for events and initiatives to fruition, especially in the wake of adversity, crisis, and even tragedy. Her aspirations for the near future as AVC/DOS are to foster increased collaboration among Student Life units and to foster a sense of campus community such that all students feel they truly belong.