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 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

October 2, 2025 

ALL STAFF AT UC SAN DIEGO (excluding UC San Diego Health and Health Sciences) 

People Leaders:  For staff without ready access to email, please print and post a copy of this email. 

I’ve been reflecting on how I show up for myself and what it means to show up for one another in impactful ways. With change or volatility, it’s only human to look for reassurance - but reassurance alone doesn’t move us forward or yield growth. Before seeking assistance from the outside, we must first engage in self-reflection, naming not only challenges but also bringing forward thoughtful solutions. 

Too often we fall into the habit of expecting someone else to carry the weight of a problem before trying to provide a meaningful solution. This can look like learned helplessness - the belief that our voice doesn’t count, that responsibility lies elsewhere, or that we simply don’t possess the capacity to contribute in ways that make a difference.  

This can also look like reactively foisting someone with our own trail of frustrations, adding to their weight instead of lightening their load. It is especially crucial in moments of tension when we should all pause and create space for perspective, thoughtful problem-solving, and a more supportive environment for everyone involved. At its heart, this is a basic practice of our shared humanity. 

When these thoughts come up, I want to encourage you to pause and think critically: What steps can I take first? How can I hold myself accountable? What’s within my control to try? Who do I want to show up as in this moment? Much like restarting your computer before reaching out for troubleshooting support, the first step is often simpler than we expect. We just have to remind ourselves of the vital role we play in the process. It all starts with us.  

Accountability is not blame or a tool to be turned against one another when discomfort arises - it is a commitment to follow through, problem-solve, and grow as a community. Through it all, let’s remember to incorporate kindness – not to be mistaken for a weakness. It is courage. It is the rebellion that refuses to let cynicism, frustration, or resignation define who we are. It is how we hold each other accountable while also honoring our shared humanity. 

As we begin a new academic year, my invitation to you is simple: bring your voice, your ideas, and bring your solutions. Engage with curiosity. Embrace accountability as a gift, not a burden. And choose kindness as the foundation for how we navigate the hard work of change together. 

Lead with grace and courage, 

Terri S. Winbush   

Campus Chief Human Resources Officer  

Open Enrollment for 2026 benefit elections begins Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 8 a.m. Pacific and closes Friday, November 21, 2025, at 5 p.m. Pacific. This is your annual opportunity to carefully and actively review your benefit options, and make the elections that best support you and your family. Details about premiums will be shared in advance of the enrollment period, so please mark your calendars and plan ahead. 

The 2025 Academic and Staff Customer Satisfaction Survey is open from September 30 through October 24. This survey provides an objective framework for assessing the effectiveness of campus departments and amplifying the voice of the customer to guide meaningful improvements. Your confidential feedback will help these departments plan and prioritize initiatives that enhance service quality and processes impacting the campus community. As a thank you for participating, you may select a gift of your choice: a UC San Diego mug or mini tote. Take the survey here. For questions, please contact customersatsurvey@ucsd.edu or visit the Tritonlytics website. 

In compliance with California State Senate Bill 108, SB 108, SEC. 219, 34 (2024) and to promote a safe and inclusive environment on every campus, the University of California has implemented several systemwide policies related to campus climate and free expression. All campuses are required to share these policies each academic year with their campus communities. Please review the campus notice with climate policy information and links to ensure that you are familiar with these policies that apply to our UC San Diego campus. 

Please see this important message from UC President James B. Milliken regarding weathering challenges across the UC system.

Looking for a chance to make a difference while building global friendships? UC San Diego International Services and Engagement (ISEO) invites staff and faculty to join the English-in-Action (EIA) program, meeting weekly with international to help improve English skills and foster cross-cultural exchange. Volunteers enjoy flexible scheduling, engaging conversations, meaningful connections, and convenient in-person or online meetings. Learn more and apply at eia.ucsd.edu. 

As part of the university’s commitment to transparency and public accountability, including the way it compensates faculty and staff, UC is conducting its annual disclosure of systemwide employee compensation for calendar year 2024. This disclosure parallels last year’s payroll disclosure and is consistent with similar practices at many other public institutions. Learn more the payroll disclosure in this campus notice.  

 Missed our recent fall quarterly update? Visit the Student Employment Quarterly Updates webpage to stay informed on key updates, reminders, and resources for supporting student employees. 

Read the latest edition of UCnet’s UC Spotlight - a monthly feature celebrating the people and teams who help make UC a great place to work. Do you know a UC San Diego staff member whose story should be shared? Read the September spotlight and learn how to submit a nomination on UCnet. 

Do you want to connect with colleagues who are also leading teams? Are you new to people leadership at UC San Diego or looking to refresh your People Leader strategies and approaches? Explore our managerial and leadership development course offerings and see course descriptions for Subway Stop 2 here. Multiple upcoming opportunities include:  

  Register and see upcoming courses in our People Leader Network calendar. 

The People Leader Support Series is an interactive, recurring webinar program designed to help People Leaders navigate key topics across the employee life cycle. Launched in spring 2025, the first series focused on performance management. You can now access the recordings from all four performance management sessions, each exploring a different aspect of supporting and developing your team. View them on the People Leader Network Blink page.

Measles is a highly contagious and dangerous viral disease  and cases are on the rise. Caused by the measles virus rubeola, 95 percent of recent outbreaks are in people who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccine status. Student Health Services is collaborating with multiple partners to enhance prevention and ensure prompt response to exposures. Learn more about available measles resources in this campus notice. 

Join UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies at the annual Showcase on Monday, October 6 from 12 – 4:15 p.m. at the 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive building. Discover how Extended Studies can support your goals with a full range of resources and expertise. Learn more and register for the Extended Studies Showcase here.  

The UC San Diego community is invited to celebrate the Staff Service Awards on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, from 2:30 – 4 p.m. in the Price Center East Ballroom. The annual ceremony honors staff employees and recent retirees who have reached service milestones of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 years. The program runs from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., followed by a reception from 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Join us in recognizing the dedication and contributions of our campus staff. Learn how to register on the Staff Service Awards Blink page. 

Join the Latinx Heritage Month Planning Committee for a series of events commemorating Latinx Heritage Month, celebrated nationally from Sept. 15 - Oct. 15. The fifth annual Latinx Heritage Month celebration event takes place Thursday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Price Center West Ballroom, with other events held throughout the month. See the Latinx Hertiage Month complete calendar of events campus notice for more details.

People Leaders on campus, join us on Tuesday, October 21 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. for the second of two webinars in the series “Change, Community, and Agency” - a focused conversation for employees navigating ongoing uncertainty in the workplace. In part one, we explored how to foster stability and cohesion amid disruption. Part two shifts the focus inward, offering strategies for career growth, upskilling, and reclaiming agency in the face of evolving professional demands. Together, we’ll discuss how to lead with resilience, support others through transformation, and build strength in the midst of change. Register on Zoom.