Washington Center

UCDC Welcomes New Additions to Leadership Team

The University of California Washington Program (UCDC) is proud to announce the appointment of Kim Jones, Esq. as the Director of Operations and Deputy to the Executive Director and Dr. Jimmy Ellis as the Director of Academic

and Student Services.

Kim Y. Jones, Esq., a native Washingtonian, joins UCDC with over 20 years of non-profit leadership experience. Her career has been dedicated to developing,

operationalizing, and fundraising for community-based programs, as well as providing technical assistance to non-profit organizations. Kim's expertise in capacity building, compliance, and effective program monitoring will be invaluable to UCDC's operations.

“My goal is to ensure that students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, resources, and learning environments that foster their professional growth. Washington, D.C. offers many unique opportunities for students, and I am committed to helping UCDC expand its capacity to support more students and faculty,” said Jones.

Kim holds a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University and a Juris Doctorate from the District of Columbia School of Law. She is a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Eugene and Agnes Meyer Foundation Exponent Award for Excellence in Non-Profit Leadership and the Advocate for Justice Award by the David A. Clarke School of Law.

Dr. Jimmy Ellis brings nearly two decades of experience in higher education to UCDC. He is renowned for his dedication to experiential learning, internships, and early career development. His leadership in strategic planning, program design, and curriculum development has significantly expanded experiential learning portfolios at both public and private institutions.

At UCDC, Jimmy will continue his advocacy for a culture of belonging and inclusion, aiming to equip students with the skills to tackle complex challenges and drive positive change.

“I am thrilled to join the University of California Washington Program and work alongside such a dedicated and talented team. Together, we will create exceptional experiential learning opportunities for our students, fostering an environment of inclusion, innovation, and excellence. I look forward to contributing to UCDC’s continued success and helping our students thrive from California to DC and beyond.”

The two new Directors will work alongside our Executive Director, Dr. Tanya Golash-Boza, to continue to provide transformative experiences for UCDC students and to bring the diversity and priorities of California to DC.

Read their full bios here: https://www.ucdc.edu/about-ucdc/ucdc-staff