Bryan Dean, MPP, Prosci®

“I consider myself fortunate to have worked with Bryan at Cognizant when he was a member of my team. He is that rare combination of intelligence, exemplary work ethic and a great team player. Bryan was asked to handle a lot of things that he was not familiar with and in each case he produced something that was worthy of a more seasoned colleague. He delivers work on time (if not early) and always to the highest standards. Although Bryan's expertise currently is mainly in OCM, I believe he will excel in anything he sets his mind to such is the level of focus and application he brings to the task at hand. Examples that I witnessed included technical analysis that was outstanding and a quality of presentations which set the standard for the entire business unit. He is a remarkable individual who truly cares about his fellow team members, is open to feedback, has exceptional Emotional Intelligence and would be an asset to any organization. I recommend him unreservedly.”

“I submit this letter in high recommendation of Bryan Dean. I have known Mr. Dean since spring 2017 when he applied to the Astin Civic Engagement Scholars program at UCLA. At the time, Bryan was enrolled in the Political Science internship course that we administer in our Center, and due to his academic ability and intellect, was referred to me by our Political Science coordinator. Based on the quality of his application, he was chosen as a finalist for the program. After interviewing him in person, it was clear to me and my colleagues that Bryan possessed the intellectual capacity and social outlook that we look for in participants to the Astin Scholars program. After being selected, he spent an academic year conducting a community-engaged research study that provided our community partner with significant recommendations on how they can build their capacity. For the purposes of the Astin Scholars program, students are required to work with a community partner to produce a piece of research that not only contributes to the scholarly field, but that is meant to benefit that partner in tangible ways. Bryan worked with Meet Each Need with Dignity (MEND), a multi-service provider in the northeast San Fernando Valley. The mission of this organization centers on reducing poverty within the communities it serves. In considering that, Bryan focused on how the organization actually attempts to address poverty, and not just serve poor people. Due to his desire to not simply accept the status quo, Bryan explored the organizational cultural and policy factors that have kept the organization from adopting more of an advocacy role within their community. As someone with a passion for understanding public policy, it was, perhaps, not surprising that he would ask such a question. But this is also the type of inquiry that is needed to bring about change within underserved communities, and to those organizations charged with improving conditions within these neighborhoods. That is at the heart of what it means to be civically engaged – to ask the necessary critical questions in search of answers that will change the circumstances within disenfranchised communities. In conducting his study, Bryan did an impressive job of navigating the delicate line between being a respectful outsider and a critical researcher, which is one reason why his findings and recommendations were so well received by the leadership at MEND. Bryan not only possesses the intellectual and scholarly ability to excel as a graduate student, but has an inquisitive nature and a penchant for public service that will be increasingly necessary for the next generation of professionals working in the public interest. Add to that the fact that he is mature, motivated, and good-natured, and you begin to see someone who is likely to do well in whatever he pursues. For all of these reasons, I highly recommend Bryan Dean. ”