Westcliff University’s 30th Anniversary
On March 10, 2023, Westcliff University celebrated 30 years of preparing students around the globe with the skills and experiences needed to thrive as business leaders and entrepreneurs. The milestone event, held at the University’s main campus in Irvine, included approximately 300 attendees and was complete with speeches, awards, live music, refreshments, raffle prizes and a spirited pep rally from our cheer team. Not only were students, staff and alumni highlighted during the occasion, but guests also paid homage to the organization’s origin story and history of excellence.
During the festivities, esteemed faculty and staff were recognized across multiple categories, including:
- Staff Impact Award: Dr. Julie Ciancio, Vice President and Dean of Global Engagement
- Faculty Impact Award: Marko Nino, Associate Faculty at College of Business and Affiliate Institution Coordinator
- Lifetime Impact Award: Dr. Edward Trent, General Council and board member
- Leadership Impact Award: President and CEO Dr. Anthony Lee
There were also alumna speakers that shared messages of encouragement and inspiration at the event.
Jerusalem Darkera, a 2022 graduate from Westcliff University’s MBA program, is a senior project manager at Amazon and a co-founder of a software development company, 6irdview. She shared a story of perseverance, dedication, and the power of education that changed her life.
“Education was the key to unlocking my potential. And it’s not just about getting a degree or certificate, it’s about applying the skills and knowledge you gain along the way, and the people you meet who shape your journey.”
Westcliff University alumna Mehri Aghaseyedhassanesfehani, and the valedictorian for the class of 2020, expressed her gratitude for her experiences at Westcliff and the importance in embracing a positive attitude, having empathy, and fierce determination.
“The people that I have encountered while studying and working at Westcliff are phenomenal. They dedicate their time and care to the betterment of each student’s intellectual formation. I speak from my experiences as an alumni, staff, faculty, and proud member of the Westcliff community.”
Thank you to everyone that made this event happen, attended and made this celebration a success! Giving us an opportunity to reflect and celebrate on how far we have come, who’s been a part of that journey and how each of us play a role in creating the future.
Check out the video and pictures from the event, as well as the press release outlining some of Westcliff’s significant milestones.
