Our Purpose
What started in the early 2000’s as an engineering student services office focused on outreach, recruitment and yield morphed over time to meet the nuanced needs of the ever-changing Triton Engineer.
Re-imagined in 2010 as the IDEA Student Center, the Center assumed a bold charge to expand opportunity, access, and student success at a moment when higher education nationwide was grappling with these priorities.
Today, the IDEA Engineering Student Center is a cornerstone of academic enrichment, professional success, and student belonging at the Jacobs School of Engineering. The Center remains committed to supporting the academic momentum, persistence, and graduation of all Triton Engineers, empowering them to thrive from their first year through graduation and beyond.
Vision
Every engineering student thrives personally, academically, and professionally.
Mission
Cultivate and facilitate a culture of inclusive participation, engaging every engineering student toward achieving success, building community, and advancing equity from admission through to graduation.
Values
Inclusion
Diversity
Excellence
Achievement
Goals
As we look toward the future, our strategic goals pave the way for deeper engagement, enhanced support systems, and greater equity across the Jacobs School of Engineering.
Enhance student academic success and progression towards graduation through innovative, research-informed, culturally competent, and student-centered practices.
Empower students to achieve professional goals and cultivate their individualized engineering identity by fostering career and research readiness.
Establish a nexus community within the Jacobs School of Engineering supported by robust infrastructure and resources, serving as an inclusive and welcoming environment to meet students' individualized and diverse needs.
Meet the Staff

Alex Phan, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
alexphan@ucsd.edu | 858-822-4636
Executive Director for Student Success


Jessica Baldis, M.S. (she/her/hers)
jbaldis@ucsd.edu | 858-534-6779
Strategic Initiatives and Assessment Senior Analyst


Tyler Vuillemot, M.A. -(he/him/his)
tvuillemot@ucsd.edu | 858-534-0553
Student Success Coordinator

Directions
Directions from I-5
- Exit at Genesee Avenue and head west.
- Turn left onto North Torrey Pines Rd.
- Turn left onto North Point Drive.
- OPTIONAL STOP
The UC San Diego Visitor Information Center is located on intersection North Point Drive and North Point Lane, where you may obtain specific directions, visitor parking information and passes, and a campus map. - North Point Drive bears right, becomes Hopkins Drive.
- Turn left onto Voigt Drive.
Parking
- Lot P503
For sponsored guests and quick drop offs - Hopkins Parking Structure
Paid parking for guests and visitors
For other spots, filter on UCSD Maps
Mailing address
UC San Diego
ATTN: IDEA Engineering Student Center
9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0429
La Jolla, CA 92093-0429