A life-changing opportunity: Apply by June 29 to become the next staff advisor to the Regents
June 12, 2018 •
The deadline for applications to serve as a staff advisor to the Regents has been extended to June 29, 2018, giving you more time to apply for this critical role.
The position is open to both non-represented and represented staff, or non-Senate academic employees, who have at least five years of UC service. You can learn more about the program and how to apply by June 29 on the staff advisor website.
George Blumenthal, chancellor at UC Santa Cruz, has seen the impact of the staff advisors to the Regents. “The staff advisor role has proven to be indispensable. The Regents want to know how policies impact employees. That’s a huge challenge, requiring advisors to develop a deep understanding of the needs of a full spectrum of staff — from lecturers to dining staff. Having staff voices at the Regents’ table is vital as a way of providing a staff perspective and as a reminder of the staff’s importance. There’s also great satisfaction in being that voice and knowing you are making a difference.”
Sherry Main, assistant vice chancellor of Communications & Marketing at UC Santa Cruz, began her two-year term in 2017 and describes the role as life-changing. “There aren’t many roles that allow you to learn from staff members from across the system and to engage directly with President Napolitano, members of the Board of Regents and senior campus leaders. I knew going in that this position would be a huge commitment, and I was right. But I am grateful every day for this unique opportunity to help shape decisions and policies that affect all of us.”
Staff advisors participate in open sessions and designated committees of the board of Regents, sharing the perspective of their fellow employees in UC Board of Regents deliberations and to decision-makers at the Office of the President. Staff advisors serve as non-voting members of designated Regents’ committees; they attend and participate directly in committee and board meetings throughout their term of service, and visit many of the campuses to solicit input from staff.
The UC Board of Regents established the staff advisor position in 2007 in recognition of the critical importance of the staff perspective. Since 2007, staff from nine of ten campuses – and UC Davis Health, UCSD Extension and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab – have served in the role. Jason Valdry, director of technology at UC Irvine, is the outgoing staff advisor, serving alongside Main.
If you have questions about the staff advisor position or the application process, you can contact Juliann Martinez, UC Office of the President Employee Relations, at 510-287-3331 or via email: Juliann.Martinez@ucop.edu.
