Linda Frances Alexander was a strong advocate for African and African American students at UC Davis. Linda graduated from UC Davis in 1972 with a bachelor of arts in sociology, earning a master’s in education from Sacramento State. As a retention coordinator for the former Learning Skills Center, she played a major role in creating courses designed to increase the retention rates of African and African American students. In 1999, Linda assumed supervision of the African and African American Graduation Celebration. In 2004, she helped develop the African American Academic Theme Program that continues to this day in Leslie Campbell Hall. After 30-plus years of service to the UC Davis community, Linda retired in 2009. Her continuing commitment to diversity and educational excellence is a legacy that lives on in this program.