View in browser  |  Ver versión en español

 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

May 29, 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. 

We’re almost halfway through the year, and it feels like we’re suspended in a moment of pause, reflecting on the question: what’s next?
 

It’s human nature. After all, we’ve been met with a steady stream of anxiety-inducing events since the year kicked off - fires, earthquakes, budget crises, and more. And while it’s easy to get caught up in imagining what might come next, I encourage you to slow down and ground yourself in the only thing that truly exists: the present. The here and now. 

This reflection feels especially timely as Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, and as we prepare to send off the movers and shakers graduating from UC San Diego, ready to step into new beginnings and unknowns of their own. 

You might be thinking, Great, Terri. That sounds lovely. But how? Aside from reaching out to the professionals at our Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, I’ll tell you how I ground myself. Anytime I catch myself squirreling - and Lord knows I can squirrel hard - I stop myself. I gently tug at my mental kite by stating, “I am here. I am now.” And let me tell you something - it’s quite a soothing feeling. 

Because let’s face it: the future is an illusion. Speculation is the enemy of peace. Most of the time, what we imagine doesn’t unfold the way we expect. So instead of spinning our wheels on what might happen, try anchoring yourself in what’s happening right now. Because now is where life is actually happening. 

And with summer approaching, there’s a natural opportunity to reset. Summer brings a sense of renewal and breathing room. We continue to move through the phases of the budget cycle, are laying the groundwork, and are working on sharing the plan. Now, as a Triton community, we can pay attention to where we’re headed. 

I’m not saying to avoid thinking about the future all together. What I am saying is to do it from a grounded place rooted in the present and curiosity. Ask yourself, What am I truly ready to commit to? Where do I feel drawn to grow or expand? For me, this season is about emergence. I’m ready to lean into who I’m becoming after a turbulent stretch, rising like a phoenix from the ashes of winter and spring. 

The word now is an anagram of own - which I find incredibly meaningful. Next time you find yourself dwelling on an uncertain future that doesn’t exist – stop, claim your power, and own your now. So tell me, how are you going to fully own your now? 

Lead with grace and courage, 

Terri S. Winbush   

Campus Chief Human Resources Officer  

The UCPath Quarterly Connect webinar series will cover essential information UCPath transactors need to know about UCPath, including important system updates, best practices, recurring initiatives, and more. The first session will be held on June 5, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Register here.  

Online attackers have increasingly targeted UC staff with attempts to steal from them by changing their direct deposit information in UCPath. Dozens of UC employees have fallen victim to these attacks, which use very sophisticated tactics. Learn how UC is working to protect employees in this UCnet article, and what you can do at a local level to protect yourself through this campus notice. 

Volunteers are needed for commencement weekend events taking place on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15. Join us in celebrating thousands of graduates and welcoming their guests in this important achievement. Volunteers allow us to ensure the success of this event and guarantee fulfilling experiences. For more information about commencement weekend, please visit this website. Deadline to register is  May 30, 2025. 

As we move through a period of organizational adjustment, we remain committed to creating pathways for staff to develop new skills and shape their professional future. 

One such effort is the Staff Equal Opportunity Enrichment Program (SEOEP) - a longstanding initiative aimed at equipping individual employees and departments with resources to grow, adapt, and advance in their careers. Applications for the 2025–2026 SEOEP cycle are open through Friday, June 13, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Apply and learn more on the SEOEP Blink page. 

The Performance Appraisal process for policy-covered (non-represented) employees for the 2024–2025 cycle spans from May 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025. Appraisals must be completed by close of business on Friday, June 13, 2025. For general guidance, visit the annual performance appraisals page, or reach out to your People Leader or departmental HR contact for support. 

Our Catastrophic Leave Donation Program hours are significantly low. Are you nearing your vacation accrual maximum and want to make a meaningful impact to a colleague’s life? The Catastrophic Leave Donation Program allows the voluntary donation of accrued vacation hours by fellow employees to create a bank of hours for use by employees facing hardship. Learn more and donate your vacation hours to someone in their time of need. Also, make sure to schedule your vacation time! 

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the new UC San Diego Savings Marketplace, a one-stop destination for discounts and exclusive offers available to the UC San Diego community. This upgraded, custom platform includes everything you loved about Tickets at Work - and more - including national discounts on entertainment, travel, shopping, international offers, exclusive local deals for UC San Diego employees, and much more. To explore your new and improved benefits, visit https://ucsd.savings.workingadvantage.com. 

The University of California Board of Regents approved the appointment of James B. Milliken as the 22nd president of UC’s world-renowned system of 10 campuses, six academic health centers, and three affiliated National Laboratories. A seasoned higher education leader, Milliken has been serving as the chancellor of the University of Texas (UT) system since 2018. Learn more about him in this recent press release.

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 toolkit? Register for the managerial and leadership development course offerings within our Subway Stop 2 series (course descriptions and registration links available in our 2025 calendar). Multiple summer opportunities include Team Building: Setting Norms, Goals and Expectations (June 25), Building Inclusive Teams (July 15), Communication and Collaboration Tools for Teams (new date: July 30), and Supervising at UC San Diego (August 14 and 21).   

Supporting mental health is a systemwide priority for the University of California, and UC San Diego is proud to be at the forefront of this effort. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which is an opportunity to remind everyone in our Triton community of UC San Diego’s comprehensive programs, counseling and support resources designed to help our students, faculty and staff flourish. Learn about the resources available to you this month and year-round in this campus notice. 

In May, UC San Diego proudly celebrated its inaugural Jewish American Heritage Month, a federally-recognized observance honoring the profound contributions of Jewish Americans to the nation’s culture, history, science, arts, civil rights, labor movements, government, education and more. Learn about the remaining events for the month and how UC San Diego supports connection and community in this UC San Diego Today article. 

In celebration of Juneteenth on June 19, UC San Diego is excited to invite you to the 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, hosted by the UC San Diego Black Staff Association on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Great Hall. This year’s theme, “We Are the Blueprint: An Unapologetic Legacy of Excellence,” celebrates the strength, resilience, and boundless creativity of Black communities. Learn more in this recent campus notice. 

People Leaders on campus, join us on Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 1:30 – 3 p.m. for a two-part webinar series exploring Change, Community, and Agency - a focused conversation for employees navigating ongoing uncertainty in the workplace. In part one, we’ll unpack how to foster a sense of stability and cohesion amid disruption. Part two will shift the focus inward, offering strategies for career growth, upskilling, and reclaiming agency in the face of evolving professional demands. Together, we’ll explore how to lead with resilience, support others through transformation, and build strength in the midst of change. Register for session one on Zoom.  

Be part of the UC San Diego community's Pride celebrations by joining us at the San Diego Pride Parade on Saturday, July 19. Plus, don’t miss the vibrant on-campus events happening throughout June in honor of Pride Month. Register for the parade here, and stay tuned for on-campus festivities through the LGBT Resource Center’s website. 

Hosted by UC San Diego, Process Palooza is a high-energy collaborative experience showcasing and celebrating the power of continuous improvement. This year's theme, Optimizing →Transforming → Disrupting, highlights how the convergence of process improvement and artificial intelligence powers a continuous cycle of enhancement, change and innovation. Join Process Palooza on August 6 – 7, 2025 at UC San Diego. Register here and learn more on Blink.