A role model, trusted colleague and mentor who is committed to supporting and guiding others, Patty Furukawa is this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Staff Achievement award.

For this devoted Anteater, UC Irvine was always at the top of her list. As a native of Orange County, she recalls feeling thrilled when she was accepted to the university. Eager to seize opportunities, Patty joined the UC Irvine swim team as a walk-on and quickly became known as the “support system” of the team – a role she would carry with her throughout her academic and professional life. Her support was recognized when she was elected co-captain of the team during her senior year.

Patty developed an interest in computer science and earned a B.S. in information and computer science in 1993. After graduating, she stayed at UC Irvine, taking on various roles across campus. In March 2009, she joined the UC Irvine School of Law as the founding director of information technology, just five months before the first group of students and faculty arrived.

Today, she serves as assistant dean of information technology services, chief information officer, and chief operating officer. However, her unofficial title is the “Swiss Army Knife” of the law school, contributing in countless ways every day.

Patty was recognized for her decades of outstanding commitment when she was included in the UC Women in Technology Committee’s 2020 “UC Women Rock IT” list, which highlights remarkable women in IT” within the UC system.

In 2024, she received the Bob Rolph Memorial Nadadores Award of Excellence for outstanding service and contributions to the Mission Viejo Nadadores Masters swimming program. Patty continues to swim competitively. She is a member of U.S. Masters Swimming, earning All-American Honors in 2018 and from 2021 to 2023.