Meet the Programming team here at Dashew! Find our more about the great team members who work on the behind the scenes on our events and programs.
Professional Staff
Jenna A. Bustamante, M.Ed. (she/her), Assistant Director of Programs
Hello! My professional career in higher education began in 2011, but my time at UCLA started in 2013 when I began my degree in the Masters in Student Affairs program. After obtaining my M.Ed. in 2014, I moved on to working at other institutions, mostly in the field of international education. I rejoined UCLA in August 2021 in my role at Dashew Center.
I love live music and concerts. Some faves include Beyoncé, Bad Bunny, Hozier, Harry Styles, and The Eagles. I love all things bookish, and enjoy a physical book, digital book, audio book, or all formats at once. My fave genres are romance, memoir, and horror. I'm also a major fan of horror movies and spooky stuff in general.
I value the connections that I am able to make through my work; with the students and scholars at our events, with the student staff and leaders I oversee, and with the colleagues across campus that we collaborate with.
Student Staff
Gracie Dixon (she/her/hers), Programming Assistant
Hi!! I'm Gracie Dixon and I am so happy to be a part of the Programming team for a 3rd quarter! I am a 2nd year Communications major at UCLA and I absolutely love it here. I am a big reader, I love to travel, and I am so excited to continue to gain knowledge and experiences while working here at the Dashew Center!
Hobbies: Reading, acting, traveling, and spending time with friends and family!
Where do you call home? Clovis, California
Jamie Hayduk-Jones (he/him), Programming Assistant
Hi all! My name is Jamie Hayduk-Jones, and I am from the Bay Area, CA. I enjoy cooking and trying out new recipes, exploring beautiful Northern California, and taking long strolls on the beach. I am beyond excited to be a part of this team again this year, and I look forward to connecting with new international students on their academic adventures here at UCLA.
Hobbies: Enjoying nature, sitting out in the sun, cooking, and staying active with friends and family
Where do you call home? Pacifica, CA
Avelia Mira (she/hers), Programming Assistant
Hi everyone! My name is Avelia Mira, and I'm a second-generation Filipina. Some things I think are fun about me is that I've taken classes at 10+ community colleges in a variety of subjects and I wrote the most upvoted ""free stuff"" Reddit post on UCLA (search up ""free stuff at UCLA"").
As a programming assistant, I've been working on Global Siblings and helping with events for the Dashew Center! I also help manage the Dashew Center website.
Hobbies: Spending time with friends and loved ones :)
Where do you call home? Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley
Chloe Sylva (she/her/hers), Programming Assistant
Hi, I'm Chloe :). I'm from the island of O'ahu, where I was born and raised as a Native Hawaiian. As a Student Programming Assistant, I am most thrilled to plan events celebrating diversity and the converging of different cultures. In my free time, I enjoy photography, reading, journaling, and going to the beach!
Hobbies: photography, reading, journaling, going to the beach
Where do you call home? Makakilo, Hawaiʻi
Eli Tracey (she/her/hers), Programming Assistant
I'm Eli, a first-year in Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, and I am passionate about supporting students and building inclusive environments. I enjoy creating and discovering new art pieces, such as charcoal and oil portraits. I also have a deep appreciation for the outdoors, including nature walks, hiking, and being by any body of water. As a Student Programming Assistant, I am excited to support and learn about the vast cultural background, traditions, and aptitude that international students bring to UCLA.
Hobbies: Art, Nature, Tennis
Where do you call home? Monterey, CA
Isabel Veit (she/her/hers), Programming Assistant
Hi, I'm Isabel, a junior double majoring in Financial Actuarial Mathematics and Global Studies. I'm an international student from Brazil and China and am now starting to call LA home as well! I love to stay active, play Ultimate and volleyball, and learn new languages. As a Student Programming Assistant, I’m most excited to help create fun, welcoming events that bring the international community together and (hopefully) work on some of my language skills on the way!
Hobbies: Ultimate, volleyball, café hopping, surfing, hiking, bullet journaling!
Where do you call home? Porto Alegre, Brazil + Guangzhou, China