CUCSA introduces new Executive Board as it embarks on its second half-century of staff advocacy

As the new academic year begins, the Council of University of California Staff Assemblies (CUCSA) shares an update on its leadership, accomplishments and priorities for the year ahead.

CUCSA Executive Board: 2025 – 2026

The Council of University of California Staff Assemblies (CUCSA) is proud to introduce its 2025–26 Executive Board — a dedicated group of staff leaders from across the University of California who will guide the organization into its next chapter of advocacy, collaboration and impact.

The new board members bring a wealth of UC experience and a deep commitment to elevating the staff voice across the system. They are:

The new board is excited to lead this year’s delegation, which includes two staff representatives from each campus, the Office of the President, Berkeley Lab, and Agriculture and Natural Resources. Delegates will meet quarterly to share best practices and address issues impacting non-represented staff across the UC system. This year’s meetings will take place in Salinas (September), Riverside (December), Merced (March) and San Francisco (June).

“I am honored to once again serve as chair of CUCSA and to lead such a dedicated group of staff advocates. Together, we provide a vital voice for staff across the UC system, ensuring their perspectives are heard by university leadership,” says Greta. “Since its inception in 1974, CUCSA has grown from a simple communication forum into a respected advisory body. This evolution reflects the increasing recognition that staff are essential partners in advancing the university’s mission. Today, the challenges facing UC deeply affect the staff experience. Meeting these challenges calls for fresh energy, innovative thinking and a continued commitment to advocacy on behalf of staff systemwide.”

Celebrating 50 years — and looking ahead

This summer, CUCSA celebrated a milestone: 50 years of staff advocacy. On July 17, 2025, the UC Board of Regents recognized CUCSA’s half-century of impact with a formal resolution. This momentous occasion followed a presentation by CUCSA leadership highlighting the organization’s enduring influence on systemwide policy, workforce strategy and staff wellbeing.

Over the past three years, CUCSA’s workgroups have focused on three deeply interconnected priorities: staff wellbeing, total compensation and sustaining the workforce. These priorities reflect the issues that matter most to UC staff, and the realities UC faces in recruitment, retention and engagement.

Many of the challenges CUCSA identified decades ago, including housing affordability, career growth and effective supervision, remain pressing today. But CUCSA’s momentum, strategy and influence have never been stronger. Its recommendations in areas such as emergency housing assistance, flexible work, tuition remission, workload management and responsible AI integration continue to shape conversations across the UC system.

2025–2026 workgroups: Building on momentum

CUCSA’s mission-driven work continues through three workgroups this year:

• Sustainable Workforce: Advancing strategies to preserve talent, invest in leadership and prepare UC for workforce shifts amid budget pressures and evolving staff needs.
• Well-being: Strengthening UC’s commitment to employee mental health, work–life balance and workplace flexibility through coordinated, systemwide approaches.
• Engagement and Community: Fostering a stronger sense of belonging and connection across UC locations by identifying opportunities for collaboration, recognition and culture-building.

“CUCSA workgroups are a unique opportunity to collaborate with team members across the university to share knowledge, innovate and work to address important issues that impact UC staff,” says Andrea.

Looking forward

As CUCSA begins its second half-century, one thing is clear: its work is far from done. The challenges UC faces, from workforce sustainability to compensation equity and staff wellbeing, are complex, but CUCSA believes that these issues are solvable when staff voices are heard and valued.

With a new Executive Board at the helm, CUCSA renews its commitment to championing those voices, shaping the future of the University of California and ensuring that staff are not just part of UC’s story — but at the heart of it.

Learn more about CUCSA

CUCSA is a systemwide staff advisory group representing all ten UC campuses, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and the Office of the President. Since its founding in 1974, CUCSA’s mission has been to maintain and enhance communication between staff and UC leadership, advocate for staff interests and provide a staff perspective on issues that shape the university community.

The CUCSA delegation is composed of 26 staff representatives, two from each UC location, and is led by a four-person Executive Board elected annually. Together, these leaders elevate staff voices on topics that influence UC’s workforce, culture and strategic direction.

Over the past 50 years, CUCSA has consistently worked to ensure that staff voices are heard, valued and included in decision-making at the highest levels of UC leadership.

Highlighted CUCSA contributions

• Establishing the Staff Advisor to the Regents program, which gives staff a formal presence and voice at the Regents’ table.
• Launching and continuing the Systemwide Staff Engagement Survey (since 2012) in partnership with Systemwide Human Resources, providing vital insights into staff experiences and priorities.
• Advocating for inclusive benefits, including support for all families, paid family leave (effective 2021) and improved retirement options, in partnership with faculty.
• Leading efforts on key staff concerns, from housing and morale to training, diversity and workplace wellness.

Explore more of CUCSA’s history.