About the Interview
Oral history video between Jenny Doh & Manuel Gómez
Gomez comments on 1990 which he considers a pivotal year because it represented a turning point in UCI student leadership. During this year Jenny Doh became the first Asian and first UCI Student Regent.
Doh recalls former UCI Vice Chancellor Chang-Lin Tien as a mentor, who encouraged her to become a student regent even if it meant staying an extra year. He said, "Go for it Jenny."
Gomez reflects on the character of the UCI Campus. Gomez shares a story Chancellor Dan Aldrich in 1967/68 and the trees in Aldrich Park. Gomez comments that the story reveals the spirit of student leaders.
Doh reflects on Jack Peltason using his voice to help tell the UCI story and his support of El Sol, a charter school in Santa Ana which Jenny Doh helped found. Gomez talks about student leadership and continued community service after UCI.
Doh talks about being a student leader and asks Manuel Gomez how he reacted to when students became critical with him. In response, Gomez comments on affirmative action programs at UIC and how UCI became ground zero for opposing University of California policy.
Gomez discusses the impact of UCI's growth on Orange County especially as it relates to diversification.
Gomez reflects on why he came to UCI in 1972. He mentions current statistics about incoming freshmen who are first generation college students.
Doh reflects on what she gained as a UCI student. She also recalls writing classes at UCI and the work she did on herself in the School of Social Sciences.