UCOP staff have been hard at work planning a variety of opportunities for colleagues to come together for learning and connection!

Event and registration details are provided below. All listings reflect Pacific Time. Unless stated otherwise, events are virtual.

Note: If you’re interested in participating in an October 21 Habitat for Humanity volunteer opportunity, learn more here.

Week of Oct. 6

The Latinx Staff Association is hosting an event featuring Veronica C. Jones, M.D., this Wednesday, Oct. 8. Her research focuses on health disparities in underserved populations and new technologies in breast cancer care.

Disparities in Breast Cancer Screening and Impact — NEW
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 12 – 1 p.m.
No registration is needed; Zoom meeting ID: 994 1178 5960
The UCOP Latinx Staff Association (LaSA) invites you to a special lunchtime presentation in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Veronica C. Jones, M.D., will lead a conversation on disparities in breast cancer screening among various demographic populations and explore the impact that this lack of screenings can have on affected communities. Dr. Jones is a chief and associate professor in the Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgery, and an associate professor in the Division of Health Equities, Department of Population Science, at City of Hope in Duarte, California. Dr. Jones writes extensively and has focused her research on health disparities in underserved populations, as well as new technologies in breast cancer care. Download a breast cancer event flyer.

Should Latino Farmworkers Be at the Center of UC ANR’s Work?
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 12 – 1 p.m.
Register for the Latino Farmworkers event
Join the UC ANR Latinx and Friends ERG for a conversation between Katherine Jarvis-Shean, Ph.D., orchard systems advisor at UC ANR, and Ricardo Vela, Emmy-winning journalist and manager of news and information outreach in Spanish at UC ANR. As a Cooperative Extension orchard systems advisor, Dr. Jarvis-Shean provides practical, science-based solutions to growers while also questioning how agricultural research can better serve the labor force that sustains California’s farms. Her leadership in outreach and applied research underscores the need to place farmworkers at the center of the conversation about agriculture’s future.

Lakeside Speakeasy Toastmasters Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 9, 12:05 – 12:55 p.m.
Contact lakesidespeakeasy@gmail.com for information
Joining Toastmasters can help you build communication skills — including speaking, leadership, listening, and feedback. If you’d like to excel at presentations, meeting interactions, elevator-speech “sound bites” and/or performance feedback, this is the group for you! Lakeside Speakeasy Toastmasters Club No. 2967 meets virtually on Thursdays from 12:05 – 12:55 p.m., except for the first week of each month, when members host a hybrid Wednesday meeting.

Week of Oct. 13

BSFO Features LeNaya Smith Crawford, MFT, and Devona “Coach D” McClinton
Monday, Oct. 13, 12 – 1 p.m.
No registration is needed; Zoom meeting ID: 959 7326 0762
The UCOP Black Staff and Faculty Organization (BSFO) is hosting several health and wellness-themed events this October for BSFO Health and Wellness Month. This year’s theme is Hidden in Plain Sight: The Truth About Stress and Our Health. At this kick-off event, two local, well-regarded experts on holistic mental health will share their perspectives and offer advice. Licensed therapist, holistic mental health educator and wellness CEO LeNaya, aka The Holistic Therapist, is committed to making healing accessible, inclusive and relatable. Coach D is a certified personal trainer, board-certified holistic nutrition consultant and owner of The Experience Integrative Fitness and Nutrition.

Marsha J. Treadwell, Ph.D., who BSFO wiill welcome on Oct. 14, is co-director of the UCSF Sickle Cell Center of Excellence and co-chair of the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals’ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Council.

BSFO Features Marsha J. Treadwell, Ph.D.
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 12 – 1 p.m.
No registration is needed; Zoom meeting ID: 912 5210 3237
Marsha is co-director of the UCSF Sickle Cell Center of Excellence and co-chair of the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals’ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Council. In this conversation hosted by the UCOP Black Staff and Faculty Organization, Dr. Treadwell will share how, as a health services researcher and clinical psychologist, she conducts research on how social drivers, psychological and behavioral factors, and organizational structures and processes that impact people’s health and well-being. In her spare time, Marsha mentors high school students through junior faculty, supporting personal and professional development, with particular focus on historically excluded scholars.

BSFO Features Ola Popoola, Ed.D.
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 12 – 1 p.m.
No registration is needed; Zoom meeting ID: 997 0829 5606
Join the UCOP Black Staff and Faculty Organization for a conversation with Ola Popoola, executive director of procurement, strategic transformation and operations at UC Systemwide Procurement, as well as a speaker, educator, author and transformational leader. Ola has over 27 years of experience driving innovation and optimizing business and technology operational efficiencies across the U.S. and Europe, and is the owner and operator of a corporate training firm specializing in leadership, management and professional development. She holds a doctorate from UC Davis and is the author of “Asmaa,” a novel about hope and resilience.

Celebrating Our Own – UC ANR Hispanic of the Year 2025: Ana Pastrana
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 12 – 1 p.m.
Register for the Ana Pastrana event
Join the UC ANR Latinx and Friends ERG for a conversation between Ana Pastrana, Ph.D., UC ANR’s plant pathology advisor for Southern California, and Ricardo Vela, Emmy-winning journalist and manager of news and information outreach in Spanish at UC ANR. Dr. Pastrana has dedicated her career to helping growers prevent and manage crop diseases, strengthening harvests and community resilience. UC ANR proudly honors her as the 2025 Hispanic of the Year for her outstanding contributions to California agriculture and the communities she serves. Following the tribute to Dr. Pastrana, UC ANR Vice President Dr. Glenda Humiston will share closing reflections on the importance of equity, inclusion and innovation in serving California’s diverse communities — reaffirming UC ANR’s commitment to advancing opportunity for all.

BSFO Features Mary “Tomi” Obideyi and Sonya Harris, M.Ed.
Thursday, Oct. 16, 12 – 1 p.m.
No registration is needed; Zoom meeting ID: 923 765 15187
Join the UCOP Black Staff and Faculty Organization for a conversation with two health equity and mental health champions. Tomi is a program coordinator at Riverside University Health System’s Health Equity Program and the founder of Tomi The Encourager. A mental health educator and speaker, she works with BIPOC communities, especially youth, to reduce stigma, prevent suicide and improve access to mental health resources. Sonya is the owner of Re-Self, a human resources professional and instructional design expert with 30+ years of experience, including 21 years in the U.S. Air Force and a decade in the federal government. She is dedicated to mentoring young adults in career, life and family decisions.

Latinx Staff Association Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 16, 12 – 1 p.m.
No registration is needed; Zoom meeting ID: 937 1506 8634
Join UCOP Latinx Staff Association (LaSA) members for their monthly meeting! LaSA promotes the general welfare and interests of LaSA and its allies in the Office of the President and supports UC’s educational mission, particularly as it relates to the Latinx community. Membership is open to UCOP employees and retirees.

Lakeside Speakeasy Toastmasters Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 16, 12:05 – 12:55 p.m.
Contact lakesidespeakeasy@gmail.com for information
Joining Toastmasters can help you build communication skills — including speaking, leadership, listening, and feedback. If you’d like to excel at presentations, meeting interactions, elevator-speech “sound bites” and/or performance feedback, this is the group for you! Lakeside Speakeasy Toastmasters Club No. 2967 meets virtually on Thursdays from 12:05 – 12:55 p.m., except for the first week of each month, when members host a hybrid Wednesday meeting.

Shakespeare Club: Macbeth
Friday, Oct. 17, 12:05 – 12:55 p.m.
Meeting ID: 744 708 5448 // Passcode: 577977
Join the Shakespeare Club in journeying through the Bard’s masterpieces! This is a casual read-through of “Macbeth,” followed by a discussion led by Kelley Ogden (ER&C). Scripts will be shared via Zoom; no preparation is needed. All reading levels are welcome.

Week of Oct. 20

Some of the many volunteers and event organizers at APISA’s 2024 UCOP Diwali celebration. The next Diwali event takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 21, via Zoom and in Oakland.

APISA Diwali Celebration
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 1 – 3 p.m.
Oakland Broadway Conference Center + Zoom | Register to join by Zoom (Registration not required for Oakland attendees)
Please join Asian Pacific Islander Staff Association for our annual Diwali celebration. The event will include shared stories, an Indian diya lighting ceremony, singing and a dance performance, along with delicious Indian treats, music and conversation. Colleagues are welcome to attend in South Asian/Indian attire. See additional Diwali event details. 

UCOP AI Innovators Share Fair
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2 – 3:15 p.m.
Register for the share fair
Join colleagues from Academic Affairs – Provost’s Office, UCOP Operations, UC Information Technology Services and the OP Staff Assembly for this virtual event that will highlight staff who are streamlining tasks, enhancing productivity and solving everyday challenges using AI. The event will feature group presentations, presentations and interactive breakout sessions. Check out the full event schedule.

OP Staff Assembly Monthly Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 3 – 3:50 p.m.
No registration is needed; Zoom meeting ID: 994 490 7320
OP Staff Assembly (OPSA) members facilitate communication, foster mutual understanding and enhance knowledge exchange within the UC community. All staff are invited to attend the monthly Steering Committee on the fourth Wednesday of every month to be informed and involved with OPSA’s work.

Pride Employee Resource Group Meeting
Friday, Oct. 24, 12 – 1 p.m.
No registration is needed; Zoom meeting ID: 928 2865 2684
OP Staff Assembly (OPSA) members facilitate communication, foster mutual understanding and enhance knowledge exchange within the UC community. All staff are invited to attend the monthly Steering Committee on the fourth Wednesday of every month to be informed and involved with OPSA’s work.

Week of Oct. 27

UCOP Community and Connection Fair
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Oakland, Broadway Conference Center
On Tuesday, Oct. 28, join OPSA for the 2025 UCOP Community and Connection Fair in Oakland! This fun, Halloween-themed event offers a unique opportunity for UCOP staff to build connections with colleagues throughout UCOP. It will feature tables hosted by UCOP departments, employee resource groups (ERGs), affinity groups and vendors. RSVPs not required. 

BSFO Health Fair
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Oakland, Broadway Conference Center
Connect with colleagues, Black Staff and Faculty Organization members and wellness vendors, and enter into a drawing to receive a free 10-15-minute massage. Names will be pulled at the beginning of the event.

Lakeside Speakeasy Toastmasters Meeting
Oct. 30, 12:05 – 12:55 p.m.
Contact lakesidespeakeasy@gmail.com for information
Joining Toastmasters can help you build communication skills — including speaking, leadership, listening, and feedback. If you’d like to excel at presentations, meeting interactions, elevator-speech “sound bites” and/or performance feedback, this is the group for you! Lakeside Speakeasy Toastmasters Club No. 2967 meets virtually on Thursdays from 12:05 – 12:55 p.m., except for the first week of each month, when members host a hybrid Wednesday meeting.

Check out all upcoming events on the Link calendar

About

View all post by