Francisco Melara has joined UCOP as complaint resolution and systemwide AA/EEO compliance specialist.

In September, Systemwide Human Resources welcomed Francisco Melara as complaint resolution & systemwide equal employment opportunity/affirmative action (EEO/AA) compliance specialist — the role previously held by John Simms.

In this essential role, Francisco provides a key function for UCOP employees: Anyone who believes they may have experienced harassment of any kind (sexual or otherwise) or discrimination should contact him to discuss their concerns or file a complaint. He will then clarify the complaint, investigate it and determine any findings. Francisco also supports the Systemwide HR, UCOP HR and Office of Workforce Inclusion and Belonging teams. He will help develop and implement EEO/AA and diversity efforts, including analyzing existing programs to ensure compliance, monitoring progress toward organizational goals and helping HR provide EEO/AA training.

While Francisco is new to UC, he brings deep experience within his field. He spent 10 years working for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), where he investigated individual, class and systemic discrimination cases. “My role at UC complements the experiences that I’ve built over the past 20 years of my career — working for the EEOC and U.S. Department of Labor — and will allow me to use my knowledge to serve UC and California,” Francisco says.

Francisco moved to the U.S. from El Salvador as a teenager and has spent his entire adult life in California. Supporting civil rights has been a lifelong passion. After graduating from college, he spent time working with people experiencing homelessness. His passion for “fighting the good fight” inspired him to pursue a career with the EEOC, where he investigated employment discrimination claims, on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, disability and other protected characteristics. Later, he focused on upholding veterans’ employment protections.

Why he chose to come to UC? “It’s a world of ideas,” Francisco says. “I really wanted to be part of the academic experience and to make an impact here.”

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