By Katie Clary
News Assistant
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently appointed alumna Kimberly Yee to his cabinet, inviting the Arizona native back to California to join his administration. Jan. 16, the governor unveiled his Cabinet affairs team, naming Yee a deputy Cabinet secretary.
“This would be in the dream job category,” she said.
Yee described her responsibilities as one of the four Deputy Cabinet secretaries. She said she basically helps the Cabinet secretaries, and in turn Gov. Schwarzenegger, figure out “what’s on their plate” by sifting through new policy and clarifying important issues in the community. Yee will focus specifically on education, consumer affairs and, to a lesser degree, the California lottery.
A 1996 graduate in political science and English, Yee has since embarked on a career in education policy, receiving her master’s degree at Arizona State University, working under former California Gov. Pete Wilson and later working with the Arizona State Legislature.
Yee credits her undergraduate experience for helping prepare her for Sacramento.
“Pepperdine really trained me,” she said. “It taught not only academic needs, but also taught me about values and relationships. In this kind of work, you have to combine all three to be successful.”
After only a month on the job, already three people have approached her about Pepperdine, interested in the University.
“A graduate of Pepperdine doesn’t just walk away from campus and that’s the end,” she said.
In fact, more than one Pepperdine memory remains part of her everyday life. Yee said, believe it or not, she kept her Pepperdine Ambassador Council (PAC) navy blue blazer — and she still wears it. “I do, I do,” she said, laughing. “The PAC blazer is now part of my wardrobe.”
Yee described the opportunities she discovered at Pepperdine, such as the Washington, D.C. internship program, her experiences as a residential advisor and PAC, as the perfect training grounds.
“You’re right in the middle of that training,” she said. “Follow your dreams. I know it’s so corny, but Pepperdine equips students with a very unique skill set. Take advantage of it.”
Dr. Stan Moore, political science professor, remembered Yee as a student who capitalized on these opportunities, which he suspects is now paying off.
“She’s now probably making more money than her professor,” he said. “That’s a plumb.”
Notably, at Moore’s suggestion, Yee applied for the State of California Executive Fellowship Program, an academic program that gives college graduates first-hand experience with public policy in various executive-branch agencies such as the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Yee said she strongly believes this fellowship program launched her career and recommends it to any students interested in government or public administration.
Moore, who has led students to Sacramento since 1967, finds the program so worthwhile that he forgoes any personal trips to political conferences in order to use his travel money to fund their trip to the state’s capital.
“I know all the people up there,” he said, hinting at the steady string of Pepperdine students accepted to the program.
He encourages others to follow Yee’s example, especially considering how many people he believes are apathetic.
“There’s power out there, just lying around. People who participate get all sorts of opportunities. But you’ve got to be active,” he said. “Kimberly was.”
While the fellowship deadline for this year passed Feb. 25, Moore said he hopes students will try next year. “You can apply for the Executive Fellowship Progam and doors will open to you,” he said.
In the meantime, Yee approaches her success day by day.
“Success is measured by what you make of your life,” she said. “It’s not based on a job title or salary.”
She remarked with a line reminiscent of Pepperdine’s mission statement. “Give back what you’re given,” she said. “Take each day and give it to God.”
Submitted February 26, 2004