Dr. Acacia M. Warren

Acacia is currently the Associate Dean of Student Life and Belonging for the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. A lifelong enthusiast of dance, Glorya Kaufman is responsible for some of the most influential civic, philanthropic, and educational initiatives in the performing arts today. Among the many organizations supported by her foundation are Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Music Center of LA, and, of course, the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance – a premier destination for arts education that sits at the forefront of developing dancers, choreographers, and dance leaders for the future. Acacia's executive leadership responsibilities include serving students, staff, and faculty. More specifically, she provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of the Student Affairs Department for the direction, development, and implementation of services and programming that meets the needs and objectives for admissions, student success, wellbeing, community and belonging.

Acacia previously served UCLA students and staff within the Bruin Resource Center (BRC), with a particular focus on current and former foster youth, students in recovery, students with dependents, formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students, undocumented students, and students who are houseless. As a senior leader of the BRC, Acacia assisted with managing and building capacity of professional staff (program directors, program assistant directors, and coordinators) and student staff (interns and externs). She also supported the strategic vision and leadership for budgeting, planning, scholarships, development, implementation, evaluation, and management of programming and activities.

Prior to her role at the BRC, Acacia was the Managing Director of UCLA's Prison Education Program. This program makes post-secondary education accessible to women and young people who are currently incarcerated, bringing UCLA faculty and students to learn alongside them, thereby challenging bias, discrimination, and injustice in a shared and collaborative learning experience. 

Acacia's extracurricular passions include traveling. She has traveled to Africa, Albania, Aruba, Canada, China, Croatia, Dominica, Greece, Haiti, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Tahiti, and the Virgin Islands. In her leisure time, she likes to create presentations, write poetry, and learn about different cultures. RRISE UP with her and enhance opportunities and outcomes for your community today! Visit Acacia's LinkedIn for more about about her educational journey.