Stephen Arditti ’64, J.D. ’67

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Steve Arditti has devoted his professional career to supporting the University of California and its mission to provide exceptional higher education to future generations of students.

Arditti had moved to Sacramento from Los Angeles in 1969 to work on UC's behalf as a legislative representative, a research coordinator and then a legislative analyst and research director. While in law school, he worked as a program supervisor for UCLA Associated Students, and was appointed to serve as a graduate student member of the ASUCLA Board of Control. After law school graduation in 1967, he became assistant dean of students, staffing a chancellor's committee to review campus governance, where he impressed UCLA administrators with his intelligence and dedication to the university.

Arditti has been recognized many times over the years. He was the first person ever to receive the Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Achievement Award, presented by the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, in recognition of his outstanding service on behalf of University State Government Relations.

In 2010, Arditti was appointed to the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC), and as chair of the CPEC Governmental Relations Committee. He has received commendations from the California State Senate, California State Assembly and Sacramento Board of Supervisors; was granted emeritus status as assistant vice president; and received the Bruin Caucus Service Award. In addition, he was presented the Keeper of the Flame Award from the Chicano-Latino Youth Leadership Project and the Recognition Award from UC Center, Sacramento, among others. He also serves on the advisory committees of the UC Center, Sacramento and the Chicano-Latino Youth Leadership Project.

Arditti received his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1964 and his J.D. in 1967. Then, in a career spanning four decades, he worked to protect the university’s ability to ensure a positive future for California higher education.