Heather Adams

Heather Adams is a senior program manager at the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program (CEP), leading the development of transfer initiatives. Prior to joining CEP, Adams served as the director of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Transfer Student Center and director of UCLA College Learning Communities. Adams’ work has centered on generating institutionalized receptivity, support, and policy restructuring for underserved student communities through strategic partnership and practice. Adams advocated for the establishment of the UCLA Transfer Center and transformed a program serving 300 students annually to a thriving and collaborative campus center that provides resources and support to over 27,000 transfer students each year. A proud community college transfer student, Adams earned an A.A. in psychology from Santa Monica College, and transferred to UCLA, where she obtained a B.A. in psychology and an Ed.D. in educational leadership.