Celebrating the Legacy of Vicki Krantz and the 35th Anniversary of the HR Management Certificate

Last September the UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies Business and Legal Programs hosted a special celebration to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Human Resource Management Professional Certificate program as well as honor the extraordinary woman behind its inception, Vicki L. Krantz.

Prior to her tenure at UC San Diego, Vicki had already gained high regard as a leader and innovator in the field of human resources, both as a corporate executive and the founder of HR Newsscan, an audio news service that she launched in the mid-1980s.

She spearheaded the founding of the Professional Certificate in Human Resource Management in 1987 which played a pivotal role in expanding the knowledge and expertise of countless individuals in the HR field. As one of the first certificates offered by the Division of Extended Studies, the program helped define Human Resources Management as a professional career path and has continuously equipped participants with the insights and practical skills needed to excel as responsible and effective HR professionals. Since the creation of the program, more than 1,000 students have received certificates in HR Management.

Throughout her career, she was known and respected for her unwavering commitment to putting people first. As part of the 35th-anniversary festivities, memories of Vicki were shared by instructors, alumni, students, and staff alike, all as a testament to the impact she had on everyone she met. Among the guests at the gathering were the current and former program deans, members of the Extended Studies Business and Legal and Marketing teams, program instructors, alumni, and current students.

“Vicki's influence reached far beyond her professional achievements. She had an extraordinary ability to uplift others and believe in the best within them,” said Claudia Schwartz, director of the Extended Studies Human Resources Leadership Program. “It was near impossible to give Vicki credit for anything. She would hold up a mirror and reflect the gratitude back to all the individuals who had journeyed the path with her.”

After a sudden cancer diagnosis, Vicki's words during her retirement party encapsulated her perspective on life: “We are unique, neither better nor lesser than anybody else, but rather the best or least of ourselves. I'm still working on finding the best of me; it is an exciting ongoing journey. Thank you for being my traveling companions along a large and important part of my way. I am forever grateful for your stimulating company and the enormous collection of shared experiences indelibly printed on my mind and my heart.” Her work has left an indelible mark on the human resources community, and she’s been greatly missed since her passing on April 13, 2020.

Vicki Krantz's influence continues through the Vicki L. Krantz Memorial Scholarship for the Professional Certificate in Human Resource Management. This scholarship provides an opportunity for individuals in the field of human resources to grow as professionals and receive the necessary support to pursue their professional aspirations. It is a testament to Vicki's enduring impact and her commitment to empowering others.

The Vicki L. Krantz Memorial HR Scholarship is designed to support individuals who are at a career crossroads later in life, and despite having demonstrated a lifelong passion for learning, hard work, and giving back to their community, now find themselves in need of financial assistance to retool their skills to gainfully support themselves.

As the Professional Certificate in Human Resource Management program continues to thrive, Vicki's spirit remains intertwined within its fabric, empowering professionals and shaping the future of human resources management for the better.

For more information, visit the Human Resource Management Certificate webpage or email HRPrograms@ucsd.edu.

You can support future HR leaders by making a donation for the Vicki L. Krantz Memorial HR Scholarship here.