Dr. Mendez is a higher-education professional with a strong background in promoting engagement, dialogue, and community building. With 20 years of experience in educational leadership roles, she has successfully designed and implemented training programs for health care professionals to enhance communication and collaboration. Before coming to UCSF, Dr. Mendez served as director of Hispanic-serving institution initiatives at UC Davis. During her tenure there, she spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at fostering a culture of belonging, education, and outreach at both the campus and the UC Davis Health System. Dr. Mendez earned her bachelor’s degree at New Mexico State University, her master’s degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and her doctorate in school organization and educational policy at UC Davis.