Maria Zalesky, special events coordinator for UC Davis Athletics since 2002, has been hired to help foster closer connections between UC Davis and the parents of its students.

She began Feb. 24 as the director of parent programs. She replaces Tess Chandler, who served in the newly created role for two months before she left in January to take a position at another UC campus.

Zalesky will help develop resources and activities for parents ranging from a special weekend for visiting the campus to an online handbook and a telephone helpline. She will also help build relationships with parents in support of campus fundraising efforts.

‘Excited to begin’

“As a parent of a soon-to-be college freshman,” said the mother of two high-school students, “I am very excited to begin my role as director of parent programs. I am hoping to find ways for parents to be connected to UC Davis and all this campus has to offer.”

Zalesky said her early efforts on behalf of parent programs might be modest and focused on incorporating parent activities into other campus events. She will collaborate with UC Davis’ existing programs for parents, including Aggie Family Pack’s monthly e-mail newsletter and Web site; a new group for the parents of varsity student-athletes; and the Parents Fund giving program.

The new parent programming initiative, overseen by the Office of Alumni Relations, is funded by a grant from the UC Office of the President.

Zalesky, who also worked with donors, alumni and parents as donor stewardship officer for Intercollegiate Athletics for the last year, moved to Davis in 2001 when her husband, Lennie, became head wrestling coach for the Aggies. The couple has an 18-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old son.

Zalesky began her career in advertising and public relations and taught high school Spanish and art in Alaska for seven years. She received a bachelor’s degree in communications and Spanish from the University of Iowa in 1987 and completed teaching credential studies at the same university in 1989.