Marilyn Schiffman (2009-present)

Marilyn was privileged to grow up in the Napa Valley while it was still a quiet, rural area.   She graduated from St. Helena High School in 1969.

After graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Psychology (B.A., 1973) she did graduate studies in the departments of Speech Sciences and Linguistics at Stanford University, where she met her husband, Peter, who was studying Geology.

She worked for the Stanford University Library System after leaving graduate school. At that time, the Stanford Libraries were in the midst of computerizing the collection.  She was privileged to participate in this process, beginning a career-long interest in the use of computers to increase efficiency and enhance access to information.

In 1978, when Peter received a National Research Council post-doctoral fellowship at NASA Space Center in Houston Marilyn decided to obtain a graduate degree in Accounting from the University of Houston, Clear Lake City.  She obtained an MS in Accounting and passed the CPA Exam in 1980.

After living in Riverside for three years where she worked in Public Accounting, she and her husband and young daughter moved to Davis in 1983 when her husband joined the Department of Geology at UCD.  

Instead of working in public accounting, she decided to pursue a strong interest in the power of databases in business.  That interest, combined with knowledge of financial systems enabled her to eventually become Director of Graduate Student Support in the Office of Graduate Studies before retiring after working at UCD for 17 years.  During her career at UC Davis, she designed and was responsible for the development of a multi-departmental event tracking system, as well as a graduate component to the campus' Student Information System.

Marilyn and Peter , along with their miniature Australian Shepherd, Fergus, were privileged to live for two years (2006-2008) in Edinburgh, Scotland when Peter was faculty director for UC's Education Abroad Program.  They have traveled extensively, and plan to do much more after Peter's retirement.  Their dog is the proud holder of a French pet passport that will enable him to travel to Europe with them for extended vacations.

She and Peter were among the first people to purchase a house in Aggie Village where the University Arboretum serves as their extended backyard.

Their daughter is grown and pursuing a career in photojournalism.