A familiar face within the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies for over two decades, Dr. Amy Gershon has served thousands of students in Westwood.
She’s been a student within the School, a staff member and a steadfast supporter to hundreds of Bruin scholars who have worked and studied inside Moore Hall.
The Los Angeles native is often the first campus staff member prospective students meet during informational sessions prior to enrollment. And she’s often one of the final hands those same students shake when they walk across the graduation stage with their Masters Hoods and Ph.D dissertations in tow, years later.
As Director of Student Services, Gershon serves as an advisor and on the leadership teams for multiple arms of the School including for the Transformative Coaching and Leadership (TCL) program, the M.A. and Ph.D. In Education programs and the Master of Student Affairs (MSA) program.
She also serves on hiring committees, admissions teams and pretty much all areas of the learning experience with the exception of classroom instruction.
“I think teaching is the only thing I’ve avoided during my time at UCLA,” she jokes. “But I love serving our students and working with our faculty.
Over those two decades, Gershon has helped launch a handful of professional programs, including the TCL Master of Education offering in 2019.
“The Department is constantly evolving,” Gershon says. “And that’s been fun to be a part of, working alongside several different deans over the years.”
An Emory University graduate, Gershon went on to earn her master’s in Counselor Education at the University of Virginia, where she studied Student Affairs. Her first professional position was in Residential Life at the American University in Washington, D.C. She then moved west and worked at UCLA in Residential Life for 7 years, while she also earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership at UCLA, before leaving for the University of Miami as Associate Director of Residential Life for one year.
“I actually returned to Los Angeles before I even had a position,” Gershon says, “But I knew that I wanted to be back in L.A.”
She found her home in the School of Education and Information Studies 12 months later after serving as Interim Assistant Dean of Students for one school year.
“This is exactly the job that I was meant to have,” she says. “I love it.”
Some of her favorite moments working with the TCL program have included crafting the curriculum, expanding course offerings and helping students tackle unique challenges.
One success story that stands out is that of Bubba Nickles, a TCL student who took a leave of absence to play professional softball in Japan in 2022. Nickles returned to complete her Masters degree in Spring 2024 and has since been hired as an assistant coach at San Diego State.
“I love the TCL program and what it stands for,” Gershon adds. “It mirrors our mission and our values as a school of promoting inclusive practices, social justice and creating opportunities for marginalized communities.
“And TCL has a very diverse student body, not just in gender, race, and ethnicity, but also backgrounds. We have local students, but we also have international students. We have students who come from private schools and students from all different parts of the country. Students with military backgrounds, students who are star athletes and even some mid-career professionals.
“And that diversity makes for a very fruitful, dynamic, engaging educational experience.”
When she’s not assisting students, Gershon enjoys reading, playing Mah Jongg, and spending time with family and friends.
Learn more about UCLA’s Transformative Coaching and Leadership Master of Education program.
Support TCL’s mission to contribute to the creation of a more just, equitable and humane society through enlightened and socially conscious coaching and leadership.