UC Santa Cruz Chancellor George Blumenthal has earned an outstanding leadership award from the university's systemwide staff organization for his strong support of staff and his commitment to include their voice in decision-making.

 

Blumenthal received the 2012 Outstanding Senior Leader Award from the Council of the University of California Staff Assemblies (CUCSA).

"I am deeply honored - and touched that they traveled to Santa Cruz and surprised me," Blumenthal said, adding the award reflects his longstanding commitment to UC staff and his appreciation of the work done by staff to further the university, its students and research mission.

"We couldn't do it without them," he added. "Staff are among our strongest and most loyal allies, and they deserve to be listened to."

The award, now in its second year, recognizes senior leaders who are supportive and inclusive of staff and who encourage equity, diversity and community.

CUCSA Chair Ravinder Singh, a research analyst at the systemwide headquarters in Oakland, surprised Blumenthal with the award at UC Santa Cruz's staff picnic in May, where Blumenthal was thanking campus staff for their work.

 
CUCSA Chair Ravinder Singh (right) presents UC Santa Cruz Chancellor George Blumenthal with the Senior Leader Award. 

"Chancellor Blumenthal embodies the spirit and letter of the CUCSA Outstanding Senior Leader Award," Singh said. "As a university leader, he has been a consummate supporter of staff, and was instrumental in the creation of the Staff Advisor to the Regents position. He strongly believes the staff perspective enriches the consultative process that governs university matters."

In their nomination statement, the UC Santa Cruz delegates to CUCSA wrote: "When our board meets with the Chancellor throughout the year, he always seeks to truly understand and be responsive to any staff needs or concerns communicated, as well as new ideas. He shows his support by regularly including us in advisory committees and search committees, and asks for our opinions on issues ranging from everyday operations to input on new ways to function in this budget climate."

Blumenthal, a professor in astronomy and astrophysics, served as chair of the UC Academic Senate before becoming chancellor in 2007. He has been lauded for making it a priority to stay connected with staff through regular meetings, town hall-style forums, lunches with small groups of staff, routine office hours, and messages.

He includes representatives of the Staff Advisory Board on committees and as speakers during campus budget forums, and he supports the board financially and in numerous other ways. He mentors those applying for the Advisor to the Regents position and was instrumental in creating the Staff Advisor to the Regents position. He was named an honorary member of CUCSA in 2005. 

CUCSA is an advisory body comprised of two delegates from each of the campuses and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The group meets quarterly at different campuses to promote communication within the UC community on matters of interest to staff.

UC Riverside Chancellor Tim White received the inaugural Outstanding Senior Leader Award last year.

A past winner is not eligible for the award for three years.

Katherine Tam is a communications coordinator in Internal Communications at UC's Office of the President.