Kathy Barton will conclude her term as Staff Advisor to the Regents in June. She talks about her experience as Staff Advisor and how she juggles the role with her job as Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at the new School of Medicine at UC Riverside.
How would you
describe the role of the Staff Advisor to the Regents?
It is absolutely the experience of a lifetime. If you are passionate about the mission of the
University of California, this is a chance to take something of a fellowship,
if you will, to learn about the university and its place in California and California
politics. It is also a calling to
provide a staff perspective to the university.
Why did you apply to
be Staff Advisor?
UC is a place that I discovered 28 years ago and knew right
away that it was where I wanted to spend my professional life. What resonated with me was its public
mission, and with each passing year, my appreciation for UC’s impact on
California and beyond has only grown stronger. As a staff member, it is gratifying and a
privilege to contribute to that mission.
UC staff has subject matter
experts in every field and subject you can imagine. The role of staff is so important in an environment
where learning, research and public service is valued. I wanted to be part of the mission to an even
greater level.
Has it lived up to
your expectations?
My experience has exceeded my expectations. It’s been so rewarding to see how open
regents and leadership at the Office of the President have been to this
role. When we ask to speak to people, as
long as their schedule permits, they’ve welcomed us with open arms.
What’s been the best
part about serving in the position?
Talking with staff on the campuses that we visit. Our interactions with staff are always so
gratifying, seeing how dedicated they are to the mission. They are always concerned about trends they
see university-wide or on a campus. They
have encouraged us to work on certain issues, such as expanding professional
development opportunities. What always
comes through is an abiding dedication to the mission of the University of California.
What’s the biggest
challenge?
The biggest challenge is balancing the responsibilities of
my position at UC Riverside and the responsibilities of this role. That is not
unique to me. Most staff members are all highly dedicated to our jobs and we’ve all been asked to do more with less in
recent years.
I’ve become much better at mobile computing, finding a quiet corner to take care of something emerging on my home campus. I’ve become better at time management, scheduling time on my calendar to attend to Staff Advisor matters. I find this uses my time more effectively. Everyone’s personal work circumstances are different, so my experience may not be typical.
How much time do you
spend on your duties and how do you juggle that and your job?
This is a question we get often. The time commitment varies and is
episodic. For example, there will be
weeks when a great deal of time is spent on Staff Advisor duties, such as the week
of a regents meeting when we spend the better part of three days on our duties. On the other hand, there are weeks when I
spend about five percent of my time on it.
The volume of email and telephone communications we field also affects the time commitment.
Has the position
helped you in your job? If so, how?
I would hope people don’t see this as a career advancement
move. On the other hand, it is the ultimate professional development
opportunity given the people you meet and the occasions to connect with
leadership at the Office of the President and regents. The depth of knowledge
you gain about the entire system really helps with work you do at your
location.
I also gained a great appreciation for the role of the Office of President and how dedicated individual staff and leaders in Oakland are to the success of the university. Too often OP is looked upon unfavorably, but the fact is every individual in headquarters is dedicated to the success of the mission.
What advice would you
give someone interested in applying to be Staff Advisor?
It’s important to know when it is the right time in your
career or family circumstances to devote time to this role. For individuals who
think it’s not quite the right time for them, I would suggest getting involved
in campus leadership positions, such as staff assembly or campus committees, as
a way to broaden your knowledge of issues facing the university. For those interested in applying in the near
term, reach out to the current Staff Advisors to find out what it entails. Then
throw your hat in the ring.