May 2026 UC Spotlight: Meet the staff who inspired us this month
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Our monthly UC Spotlight celebrates how UC staff and their teams are making a difference for Californians and the world beyond our state. Meet the people who are bringing UC’s values to life!
To jump to a section, use the links below:
- First-hand perspectives on working at UC
- Supporting and engaging with local communities
- Notable campus impacts
- Awards and recognitions
- Submit your achievements!
First-hand perspectives on working at UC
Within the UC employee community, there is an array of careers spanning nearly every industry. Here are some colleagues who’ve shared what they do — and how that work is meaningful.
UC Berkeley
Maggie Andresen, a trainer for the UC Berkeley Human Rights Center, is working with Sudanese refugees, in partnership with the International Center for Transitional Justice, to track possible war crimes and human rights violations from a distance. The goal? Discouraging further violence and holding leaders accountable. “We have such an opportunity with these courageous monitors to collect and preserve and analyze this information for future use in courts, whether it be national courts or through universal jurisdiction, or otherwise to bring it to these accountability processes,” Maggie said.
Maria Garcia has been working with the UC Berkeley Basic Needs Center since graduate school. Today, as the center’s associate director, she works to improve outreach, programming and scaling efforts to ensure students in need can access food and housing resources. “We’re fortunate to have access to data to better understand the scope of need as well as the data to inform who we serve, and part of my role is to continue to improve our data collection and reporting efforts,” she said.
UC Davis
Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs Vice Chancellor Clare Shinnerl reflected on how UC Davis’s K-9 program has shaped a more welcoming, more connected approach to public safety. “At UC Davis, we’ve been working for years to rethink what public safety looks like. That work shows up in policies, partnerships and programs, but also in smaller, more human ways — like a dog that helps someone pause, smile and stay a little longer,” Claire shared. The program also recently hosted a 5K community fundraiser, which welcomed hundreds of runners and dogs.
UCLA
For Joseph Gallucci, project manager for the Audiovisual Survey of UCLA Library Special Collections, documenting all audiovisual materials in the special collections — 100,000 and counting — has been an adventure, from VHS tapes and compact discs to 8mm films to flexi discs to piano rolls. “It is our hope that this survey gives students valuable firsthand experience in handling audiovisual items,” he said.
Bruin alumna Lizett Martinez sometimes felt unsure whether her bachelor’s degree in history and sociology would prepare her to serve as director of custodial and grounds for UCLA Facilities Management. But thanks to inspiring mentors, she draws on the critical thinking skills she learned in her undergraduate studies and the new skills she has picked up on the job to solve complex problems and advocate for her team. “Each day brings its own challenges and rewards, and what inspires me daily is that I see this campus as my second home,” she said.
In a new video, Brianna Moncada, sustainability manager for UCLA Housing and Hospitality, and Joey Martin, senior executive chef, shared a behind-the-scenes peek at their efforts to embrace thoughtful sourcing, waste reduction and innovative practices at UCLA Dining. “For students that eat here every day, I hope they develop a sense of adventure when it comes to food, and just exploring, trying new things,” said Brianna.
UC San Diego
Liz Bradshaw, director of artistic programs at UC San Diego, is responsible for curating entire seasons of campus events, from dance to speakers, to global music, to a jazz series, to nostalgia gatherings. “The job sits at the intersection of creativity and organization — that’s where producing lives, and it’s where I thrive,” she said. “There’s something deeply satisfying about the logistics and relationships that have to come together to make an artistic moment happen.”
Chelsea Largoza’s proud Filipino American heritage and service as co-chair of the Pacific Islander and Asian American Staff Association have been an integral part of her UC employee experience as special events and outreach coordinator at UC San Diego. “When people see their cultural traditions honored in a shared space… it fosters pride and sends the message that they’re valued and respected for who they are,” she said.
Elizabeth Lin, zero-waste manager at UC San Diego, is passionate about working with campus partners to reduce waste — from diverting waste from landfills to implementing programs and systems to composting and recycling. One of her favorite parts of her role is sharing her knowledge with students. “That’s absolutely what I love about UC San Diego, the impact and collaboration I have here with my students and making the world closer to becoming zero waste,” she said.
UCSF
Ricky Shankar, community services coordinator with the UCSF Police Department, understands that empathy is a key part of his role — and that has led to rewarding moments of connection. “Often, people just need someone to listen, and know someone is here to help,” he said.
UCSF Campus Life Services staff Yolanda (Yolie) Marquez, administrative officer, and Mike Huang, project manager, shared their experiences as work BFFs. “We’re not in the ER saving lives in the grand scheme of things, but our roles are demanding, and there is a lot of pressure,” Mike said. “Being able to joke around and laugh with someone really helps.”
Supporting and engaging with local communities
UC staff play a critical role in UC’s public service mission — and help to advance it through everyday work and special events. Here are a few of this month’s highlights.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Hopland Research and Extension Center planning to celebrate its 75th anniversary with a community open house. “We’d like to answer all the questions visitors have about the site and the ongoing research so everyone can learn and experience this wonderful woodland together,” shared Community Educator Hannah Bird.
UC Davis
Led by the UC Davis Development and Alumni Relations team, the campus held its 10th annual Give Day, which garnered 4,500 donations and raised almost $3.9 million. Since its launch in 2017, Give Day has raised more than $32 million. “What started as a single day of giving has grown into a meaningful tradition that showcases the impactful work happening across UC Davis and UC Davis Health, while reinforcing how philanthropy can inspire, support, and connect our entire community,” shared Shaun Keister, vice chancellor of Development and Alumni Relations.
UCLA
UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden staff welcome thousands of K–12 students and community groups through admission-free, curriculum-connected field trips designed to bring classroom science to life. “We hope they not only learn something but also have fun while doing it,” explains Chantal Ochoa-Clark, the garden’s manager of education and outreach, who has spearheaded the program over the last four years. “It’s more memorable when you’re doing something kinesthetic than hearing something verbally. When you add that experience, it becomes memorable.”
The UCLA Film & Television Archive is preparing to host the 22nd edition of the UCLA Festival of Preservation. The biennial event, free to the public, showcases the Archive’s latest preservation and restoration work and gives audiences the opportunity to hear from film preservationists and special guests. “The UCLA Film & Television Archive’s 22nd biennial UCLA Festival of Preservation is a place to witness, critique and celebrate works brought back to life as they were meant to be seen,” said May Hong HaDuong, director of the Archive.
UC Merced
UC Merced’s Bobcat Day welcomed more than 7,000 prospective first-year and transfer students and family members to campus for tours and an opportunity to engage with students, faculty, staff and alumni. “You belong here,” said Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz in his opening remarks.
UC Merced recently launched the Merced Promise, a partnership with Reedley College that will strengthen and streamline transfer pathways by aligning coursework and expanding advising and outreach efforts, engaging students as early as middle school.
UCOP
The University of California Natural Reserve System relaunched as UC Nature to make its work “more visible, more accessible, and more connected to the needs of the university, state and society.” During the subsequent UC Nature Symposium, staff, researchers, and community partners celebrated the organization’s 60th anniversary by reflecting upon its advancements in field research, education and community engagement.
UC Riverside
The UC Riverside School of Medicine’s annual open house welcomed the community to learn more about the school and careers in medical fields. “Growing up, everyone knows what a doctor is, but they don’t all necessarily know what public health is. [We help them understand that] it’s an option for them to pursue their passion to improve the health of the community in a different way,” said Cristina Gonzalez, a project manager in the SOM Department of Social Medicine, Population, and Public Health.
UCSF
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals President Nicholas Holmes partnered with Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee to host East Bay faith leaders for a community conversation on preventing youth violence and supporting children’s health. “A child doesn’t arrive at the hospital as a simple medical case; they come with a story, a family, and a community,” Holmes said. “If we are serious about protecting our children’s health, we cannot separate physical health from spiritual, emotional, and community well-being.”
Notable campus impacts
Staff create and execute programs that make our campuses better places to live, work and study. Here are some recent initiatives that are making a big local impact.
UC Berkeley
The UC Berkeley Native American Thriving Initiatives (NATI) is working to build a campus environment that is respectful, resourced and supportive for Native American people. “Our hope is that by laying the groundwork through public education, NATI will support a vast array of actions that go well beyond land acknowledgment. It will lead to the understanding that the Ohlone people are thriving on their homeland, with an active, living culture,” said Phenocia Bauerle (Apsáalooke), director of Native American Student Development.
UC Davis
The UC Davis Design and Construction Management team recently completed several projects to support the Joan and Sanford I. Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, California Raptor Center and other teams that work with animals. This includes the Center for Animal Locomotion and Innovation, the first facility in the U.S. to house the technology for capturing and reconstructing detailed images of animals in motion; a new small animal hospital and the all-species imaging center, which can accommodate every size of animal, from pet birds to longhorn steers.
The UC Davis Division of Student Affairs, led by Marissa Weiss, transfer and retention specialist, launched The Student Parent Space — a dedicated space for the campus’s 1,000+ students who are parents or guardians. “Student parent advocates feel like they have finally been heard and it is very uplifting, it also shows that the school cares about them,” Weiss said.
UC Irvine
The UCI-OC Alliance, a university-driven community organization facilitated by the Office of Educational and Community Partnerships to advance UC Irvine as a Latino-thriving institution, celebrated its fifth anniversary. “What we’ve been able to do in five years is create an organization that does not exist and has not existed at any other UC campus connecting a dedicated group of the most senior and accomplished Latino leaders across many different industries in the county with the academic mission of the university,” said Stephanie Reyes-Tuccio, vice provost for educational and community partnerships.
UC Law SF
Led by Alumni Engagement Director Anya Grossmann, UC Law SF staff worked with graduates to launch the college’s first Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Alumni Affinity Group. “Belonging shouldn’t stop at commencement. We want alumni to remain part of a community that supports one another and continues to open doors for future graduates,” Anya said.
UC Riverside
Led by Faith McClure, mobility program coordinator for Transportation Services, the UC Riverside Travel Training program helps students — as well as faculty and staff — learn how to use public transportation in Southern California and get comfortable trying it out. “When you go in a group, and you go with someone who’s local and knows how to navigate the buses and trains, it helps build confidence,” Faith said.
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara’s Associated Students Bike Shop, led by manager Adam Jahnke, partnered with students Sophia Long and Virginia Such to launch TREAD (Tire Recovery Education and Diversion), a bike tire recycling program. “The bicycle industry creates so much waste, and it’s a circle I’ve been trying to square for a decade. Their program is really such a breath of fresh air,” Adam said.
Awards and recognitions
Within and beyond the university, staff efforts are being recognized daily. Here are some of the many recently awarded recognitions.
Multiple locations
UC Irvine Health, UCLA Health, and UCSF Health were recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as some of the nation’s top places to work in health care for 2026! “These organizations invest deeply in their people, offering robust benefits, meaningful opportunities for professional and personal development, inclusive environments where employees feel valued, mission-driven work, and resources that support true work-life balance. Beyond their walls, many also make a powerful difference in their communities through service initiatives and a strong commitment to social responsibility,” noted Becker’s in its release.
UC Berkeley
The Berkeley Teacher Education Program (BTEP) received the 2026 Critical Leadership in Teacher Education Award from the California Council on Teacher Education, in recognition of BTEP’s programmatic transformation that started with a ground-up redesign in 2018.
The South Asian, Southwest Asian, and North African (SSWANA) Living Learning Community at UC Berkeley was named the 2026 recipient of the Outstanding Program/Initiative for APIDA Student Success Award by the Asian Pacific American Network (APAN) of ACPA – College Student Educators International. The award recognizes SSWANA’s pivotal role in fostering community, identity development, and holistic support, contributing to a more inclusive and transformative campus environment. As one student shared, “SSWANA Living and Learning Community has been one of the most unique, enriching, and thought-provoking experiences I have had in my entire life.”
UC Davis
Several UC Davis staff were recognized for upholding the campus’s Principles of Community with Chancellor’s Achievement Awards for Inclusive Excellence. Congratulations to Dreya Yin and Jordon Nakada, Human Resources Strategic Talent Acquisition team analysts, and the Academic Affairs SEA Change Team. “Tonight’s awardees were nominated and selected as their service, scholarship, contributions, leadership and outstanding efforts embody the Principles of Community,” said Renetta Garrison Tull, vice chancellor for Inclusive Excellence.
Sandra Taylor, senior statistician in the UC Davis Health Department of Public Health Sciences, manager of the CTSC Biostatistics Program and lead statistician for the Health Analytics Core at UC Davis, was inducted into the inaugural class of Fellows of the Association for Clinical and Translational Science, recognizing her sustained leadership, service and impact in clinical and translational science.
UC Irvine
Ryan Cherland, associate vice provost of institutional research and decision support at UC Irvine, was honored with the Distinguished Service Award by the Association of American Universities Data Exchange for his sustained, impactful contributions to the AAUDE community and advancement of data sharing, collaboration and best practices among major research universities. “We have long recognized how important Ryan’s professionalism, strategic thinking, and partnership are to the success of our campus, and this noteworthy recognition from his peers is very well deserved,” said Roxane Cohen Silver, vice provost for institutional research, assessment and planning.
UC Riverside
UC Riverside School of Medicine staff members Herlinda Bergman, Velika Patterson, KA Aguilar, Kay Monteith, Sasha Whitaker, Zina Jubrael, Angeline Vanle, Christine Hollis-Nist and Montrice James were among this year’s honorees at the school’s annual Faculty, Staff, and Student Awards. “Tonight’s honorees have truly raised the bar for what it means to excel in their respective endeavors and embody the values of the School of Medicine,” said Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences and Mark and Pam Rubin Dean of the School of Medicine Deborah Deas in her opening remarks.
UC Santa Cruz
The UC Santa Cruz Colleges, Housing and Educational Services (CHES) leadership team — including Laura Arroyo, CHES associate vice chancellor; Steve Houser, executive director of capital planning; Angela Cline, assistant vice chancellor for budget and financial management; and Amy Chavez, director of financial planning and analysis — received a 2026 Outstanding Innovation in Housing and Residential Life Award from the Association of College Personnel Administrators. The award positions UC Santa Cruz’s approach as a replicable model for how universities can grow under significant resource constraints. “For our first-generation and diverse student population especially, stable housing isn’t separate from academic success — it’s the foundation,” said Laura Arroyo. We’re honored that this recognition might inspire other institutions facing similar pressures to prioritize both expansion and long-term financial responsibility.”
UCSF
The UCSF Office of Sustainability celebrated its Annual Sustainability Awards, which honor those who go above and beyond their role descriptions and take on the challenge of cleaning up the environment. “Across our multiple sites, sustainability is becoming part of how we deliver care. It is reflected in how we manage resources and operate our clinical environments. It requires teams who are willing to rethink processes and coordinate across roles and disciplines to drive meaningful change,” said Sheila Antrum, senior vice president and COO, UCSF Health, in her remarks. Among those recognized were staff members Matthew Richardson, clinic supervisor for Outpatient Physical Therapy at UCSF Health Stanyan; Christy Carillo, food services manager; Ramneek Rai, director of health and safety at the UCSF School of Dentistry; Mel Maxwell, executive director of Supply Chain Management Logistics; and the UCSF Health Interdepartmental Team. Isabel Alves de Lima, Leah Pimentel, and Charlene M. Blake were recognized for their entries in Waste to Art — art pieces made by members of the UCSF community with recycled materials from the hospital and laboratory setting — and several additional teams received Green Certificates. Watch a video highlighting the awardees!
Submit your achievements!
UC Spotlight honors workplaces, teams and individual staff members that make UC a great place to work. To send a recognition or achievement for consideration, email the relevant URL and information to the UCnetwork editorial team or complete this form. Your story may also be featured on our new @ucnet_work Instagram page!
Please note that UC Spotlight is intended to reflect staff-specific achievements; to that end, we do not accept recognitions that are student, faculty or alumni-focused. Submissions are chosen for publication at the editor’s discretion. Funding and promotion/hiring announcements are not appropriate for this feature.