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Photo by Rich Schmitt |
Diana Brueggemann speaks at a recent "UCLA Day" downtown. |
Bridging town and gown
BY Wendy Soderburg
Today Staff writer
Diana Brueggemann, executive director of local government relations in the Office of Government and Community Relations, is glad to be on campus.
Since 1971, when she completed a B.A. in French and a teaching credential at UCLA, Brueggemann badly wanted to work at her alma mater. She just couldn’t figure out how. “I had a French degree,” she said wryly. “So it took me until 1999 to figure out my niche here.”
Her niche, as it turned out, was in community service. Brueggemann is UCLA’s liaison to the City and County of Los Angeles, which means that when either needs UCLA’s help in civic matters, Brueggemann makes it happen. And when UCLA needs something from the city or county, Brueggemann uses her many contacts to help get what’s needed.
For example, when councilmembers need to consult with faculty experts on issues concerning the economy, transportation or social welfare, they call Brueggemann. She’s currently working on a request from Councilmember Tony Cár-denas to find UCLA faculty or staff living in the northeast San Fernando Valley who might be interested in serving on nonprofit boards in his district. “He’s looking for people with budget, marketing or urban planning expertise. I’m hopeful that someone reading this article will call me,” she said, smiling.
Brueggemann also works closely with Councilmember Jack Weiss, who represents UCLA, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. “They are our go-to guys,” she said. “When we have a problem that needs fixing, we usually go to them for help.” But she also has many other contacts in City Hall, and she knows exactly whom to call when UCLA needs a permit expedited, or when faculty need special certificates from the city or county, or when a departmental event requires the presence of the mayor or other elected officials.
Another of Brueggemann’s goals is to raise UCLA’s profile downtown, which she does through UCLA Day with Local Government, a biennial event in which faculty, staff, students and alumni visit elected officials in their downtown offices. She also created the School of Public Affairs Day, which brings 15 graduate students annually to City Hall to study a topical issue.
Brueggemann is the new chair of the education committee of the Central City Association, which sponsors an annual event called “Treasures of Los Angeles.” Honorees at this year’s luncheon on April 27 will include Chancellor Albert Carnesale.
A former teacher, Brueggemann worked briefly as special assistant to the head of finance and administration at Lorimar Telepictures in Culver City. “A horrible experience,” she said. “I just didn’t feel that was the place for me.”
Nevertheless, it did teach Brueggemann about the movie business, which helped when she sought a job with Councilmember Mike Woo, whose district included Hollywood. She ran his district office and later became his chief of staff. After her stint with Woo ended, Brueggemann worked as Councilmember Laura Chick’s assistant chief of staff. She finally made it to UCLA in 1999, assuming the position of executive director of local, government and community relations. Two years ago, Brueggemann decided to concentrate on local government relations.
“At this point in my career, I’m in a mode of giving back. I want to make sure that when I leave, there is a solid platform for the next person to build on,” Brueggemann said. “I’ve really appreciated the reconnection with my alma mater, and I know it will be maintained after I’m done with my career.” |
