LaWana Richmond named staff advisor-designate
June 1, 2015 •
LaWana Richmond, a business analyst and postal center manager at UC San Diego, has been named Staff Advisor to the Regents-designate for the 2015-17 term beginning July 1, 2015.
Richmond joins Deidre “De” Acker of UC Merced, the 2014-16 staff advisor, after a systemwide search. Acker will be the staff advisor, replacing Donna Coyne of UC Santa Barbara whose two-year appointment ends June 30.
President Janet Napolitano selected Richmond from finalists recommended by a selection committee that included current and former staff advisors and other staff from campuses and the Office of the President.
“LaWana’s passion for UC and her experience with numerous staff organizations make her an excellent choice as the next staff advisor-designate,” Napolitano said. “Her research on employee engagement will be particularly valuable in this role, and I very much look forward to working with her during the next two years.”
A 10-year UC employee, Richmond has been active in staff organizations at UCSD throughout her tenure, serving as chair of the Black Staff Association, chair-elect and chair of the UCSD Staff Association and as delegate to the Council of UC Staff Assemblies (CUCSA).
“I’d like to be a bridge regarding communication and understanding,” Richmond said. “When people hear about staff concerns, they usually think all we’re interested in is our next salary increase. Similarly, staff sometimes thinks senior leadership and regents don’t think about them and forget that they are people, too.”
