Dennis McIver is no stranger to being a leader in higher ed.
As an undergraduate student pursuing his degree at Loyola University Maryland, he was a member of the prestigious Green & Grey Society — a student organization that advises university leaders on issues of significance to the student body (similar to University of California student regents).
Today, Dennis is the equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) manager at the UC Office of the President (UCOP), where he advises staff and leaders at all levels of the organization on best practices for maintaining an inclusive work environment. His impressive resume features more than 15 years of experience in higher ed in an array of areas, including advising, athletic compliance, admissions and academic records.
While building his career, Dennis developed significant experience as a staff leader and advocate. He is past president of the UC Riverside Staff Assembly, past chair of the UC Riverside Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFASA) and co-founder of the Black Leadership Alliance Council at the University of California. From 2022 to 2023, he served as chair of the Council of UC Staff Assemblies (CUCSA).
Dennis recently completed his Ph.D. in leadership studies, for which his dissertation focused on employee resource groups. And, as of January, he is the president of the California College Personnel Association (CCPA).
UCnet checked in with Dennis to learn more about his role with the CCPA and how he plans to make an impact.
What are you most eager to accomplish as CCPA president?
First, I’m eager to continue our outreach to public and private higher-education institutions throughout the state. The CCPA has existed since the 1970s — we are celebrating our 55th anniversary this year — and I’m looking forward to sharing that story and what we’re up to now.
I’m also looking forward to creating spaces for higher-education professionals to network, learn, and grow together. I think we have many opportunities to provide more support to them, in person and virtually.
I’m most excited to support the growth and development of this year’s leadership team, which includes talented individuals across California. I’m looking forward to the good work they’ll do.
How have your experiences at UC prepared you for this position?
Each opportunity I’ve pursued — from UC Riverside’s BFASA to CUCSA — has taught me about sharing leadership, elevating others and collaborating. These roles have also allowed me to learn the bigger and smaller details of many types of initiatives, from ideation to post-assessment. Perhaps most importantly, I’ve been fortunate to learn about advocacy, which is essential to effective leadership.
What opportunities do you see for expanding the CCPA’s impact?
This year, I hope we can use programming to consider underserved populations, such as veterans and those with disabilities, as well as people who are involved in the criminal justice system.
There are many facets of higher education, including student affairs, and it would be great to expand our reach. With that in mind, I hope we can do more intentional outreach and engagement to all segments of higher education, which includes our state’s community colleges, graduate/professional schools and system-level offices, like UCOP.
Beyond this, I would like to engage undergraduates so that they consider higher education and student affairs as career pathways.
How do organizations like CCPA provide value to employees who work in the higher-ed space?
In addition to providing unique and helpful events to members, these groups play pivotal roles in developing professionals in and out of their job titles. They often offer useful resources like job portals, training opportunities and even research through academic journals. Perhaps most importantly, they enable individuals to build a network within and outside of their workplace through events and annual conferences they can attend at reduced rates.
They can also be an effective means of getting introduced to fields you may be interested in learning more about.
Are there any professional tips you’ve learned through your participation in the CCPA that you’d like to share with UC colleagues?
The lessons I’ve learned through participating in CCPA have largely echoed what I’ve learned leading similar efforts over the past few years. Specifically, approaching these roles with a mindset of helping others and personal growth can have an immeasurable impact on you and your career. I’ve been fortunate to grow in ways I would have never imagined, including furthering my academic education.
Whether it’s a professional organization, an employee resource group, or an activity you’re just curious about, each opportunity offers an exponential return on your time if you’re willing to try it.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I want to encourage my colleagues to join me in connecting with our higher-ed community. If you join the American College Personnel Association, your CCPA membership is included, but you’re also welcome to simply join the CCPA if you’re most interested in connecting through state-level activities. If you have any questions about CCPA, or want to share an idea, please feel free to reach out to me — I’m always happy to make new connections.
Editor’s note: Dennis McIver will participate in the Feb. 19, 2025, CUCSA Systemwide Town Hall Featuring UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D., alongside CUCSA Chair Jen Bowser.