Breadcrumb

Candidates

2023-24 Staff Assembly Candidate Profiles and Bios

The candidates for the 2023-24 board are listed below. The tabs below list each board positions and the candidates running for them. Candidates are listed in random order.

Cast your vote

Voting will be open until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17.

   

Melanie Ramiro

Melanie Ramiro

Incumbent Director of Marketing and Communications
Performing Arts Marketing Specialist, CHASS Dean's Office

Why are you running for a position on the Staff Assembly Board?

The past two years of service as Staff Assembly's Director of Marketing & Communications have shown me how much more impact Staff Assembly could have, if we focus our collective efforts toward advocacy. For several years after graduating from college, I worked in an Office for Child Advocacy; so being a champion for those who can’t fight for themselves is very close to my heart. The outcome of the UAW strike demonstrated how much the UC system values its academic personnel, including student employees; but career staff have yet to see leadership at UC prove that staff are proportionately appreciated and esteemed, particularly in the areas of compensation and recognition. I see this as an opportunity for evolution across the entire UC system.

If elected, what are your plans for the position(s) for which you are running?

If elected as VP/President Elect, I would like to build upon the work of Past Presidents who campaigned for higher wage increases for non-represented staff, but whose requests were unmet entirely or came in far below what they were asking. I would gather intel about what kinds of resistance they heard from leadership and work together with the 2023-2024 Executive Board to construct more compelling arguments so that we can have a more impactful outcome with decision-makers. Storytelling comes naturally to me as a professional communicator; and telling a story that can tug on the heartstrings of your listeners – before you tug on their purse strings – is a critical skill for someone in a role like VP/President Elect. This would involve a lot of active listening, research, and communication skills, along with diplomacy and negotiation tactics, for which my professional experience and educational background would be an asset. Additionally, my work style and skill set are complementary to the President Elect’s, so we could be highly effective working together because our individual talents each offset the weak spots of the other, which makes for a stronger team.

What do you think Staff Assembly needs to Prioritize in 2023-24?

Priorities for 2023-2024 would include building upon what we have started: more support for Staff Pantries, the UCR Staff Conference, and other opportunities for staff professional development and recognition programs. Growing the ranks of Society ‘54, as well as the benefits that staff can get from being members. Securing more sponsors for Staff Assembly events and programs. And of course, continued advocacy for the UCR staff experience and improved compensation structure. As UCR strives to evolve into a forward-thinking employer, modeling the best leadership and business practices that suit the 21st century and the modern work experience, thousands of tiny shifts in paradigm will be needed. We should anticipate positive changes both in individual work styles, accountability practices, healthy work/life boundaries, the nature of support from management at the department and campus-wide level, and a recalibration of expectations about what "work" looks like. From the individual unit all the way up to the highest offices of campus leadership, we hope to see leadership move away from the industrial-age concept of work equals a person chained to their work station for a requisite number of hours each day, to embracing a more contemporary view of work as compensation in exchange for value, whether service rendered or an end-product created, independent of location whenever possible. Additionally, we should continue to foster collaboration between staff in similar positions but different departments, to support professional development and mentoring programs, to promote the adoption of DEI topics in UCR's ongoing staff training curriculum.

Biography

Melanie holds a B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University and did her graduate studies in Counseling / Psychology with Argosy University. She also participated in the Minority Students Research Exchange Program at Princeton University. Since July 2020, Melanie has served as the Director of Marketing and Communications for UCR Staff Assembly, and since October 2021, she has served as the Performing Arts Marketing Specialist for the Office of the Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. Melanie has also Chaired the UCR Healthy Campus Marketing & Communications subcommittee since 2018. Before joining CHASS, Melanie was the UCR Library's Communications Specialist from 2016-2021. Before coming to UCR, Melanie worked in the special events and entertainment industry as a speakers’ agent, show director, and event producer for an award-winning talent buying company.

  

Paige Mejia

Paige Mejia

Financial Operations Manager, EMN Administration

Why are you running for a position on the Staff Assembly Board?

I have had the opportunity to serve on the executive board for Staff Assembly in 2017 and presently the Black Faculty and Staff Association. Being on the boards gave me the opportunity to see the challenges staff face on a daily and it has sparked a passion in me to continue fighting for our staff. I want to be able to be the voice for those who do not have one or not in the position to speak up without retaliation. Staff Assembly has laid the foundation for the staff affinity groups on campus and has created the space for us to be heard. I would like to continue being the voice and helping this org evolve.

If elected, what are your plans for the position(s) for which you are running?

My plans for this position, like many before me, is to continue to find ways to make it evolve. This role is expected to meet regularly with the key campus administrators and my goal is to make sure we continue stressing the importance of staff issues whether it is an issue of unequal pay, gender inequality, the microaggressions the BIPOC staff face in their units, and etc. Simply put, my goal is to make sure all staff are heard.

What do you think Staff Assembly needs to Prioritize in 2023-24?

Staff Assembly has done a great job at providing resources and being the "face" for staff across campus. One of the things I would like to see more of is collaboration with the other affinity groups on campus such as Black Faculty & Staff Association, Latina/Chicana Staff & Faculty, Asian and Pacific Islander staff affinity groups and etc. There are many more to list and these groups are off doing their own thing but it would be nice to see collaboration to get all groups involved with each other and for them to know they are apart of the Staff Assembly Umbrella (in a way).

Biography

Paige serves as the Financial Operations Manager in the UCR EMN Administration unit. She is a UCR alumni who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and is pursuing a M.B.A with a concentration in Accounting from California Baptist University. In addition to the scholarly activities, she is serving her fourth term on the Black Faculty and Staff Association Executive board and is currently the Secretary. She also served on the UCR Staff Assembly Executive Board as the Co-Director of Communications. Paige is passionate about supporting the retention of staff, faculty, and students and finding ways to effectively serve the UCR community.

  

Cierra Covarrubias

Cierra Covarrubias

Senior Academic Personnel Analyst, FAST

Why are you running for a position on the Staff Assembly Board?

I would like to be more involved in campus activities and I think being on the Staff Assembly Board would help me to accomplish that goal. I look forward to the opportunities it will allow me to network with others on campus and most importantly be a part of showing staff how much they are appreciated!

If elected, what are your plans for the position(s) for which you are running?

If elected as the Director of Fundraising I would love to continue to help facilitate fundraising events and look for ways to partner with local businesses, campus partners and the community to support the work that Staff Assembly is doing on campus.

What do you think Staff Assembly needs to Prioritize in 2023-24?

Staff Assembly is doing a great job in highlighting staff accomplishments and showing staff that they are appreciated. I would love to see more involvement from more people on campus and a greater partnership across campus departments and leadership in working with Staff Assembly.

Biography

I have been within the UC system for just shy of 6 years. I started my career with the UC at the UCPath Center and was able to learn a lot about UCPath and how each campus differed and interreacted with the new system. This led me to take a position on campus in early 2019, however, I was still located off-site at the Intellicenter, where UCPath is housed. About a year after starting my new role we were all sent home due to the pandemic. In late 2021 I was given the opportunity to move onto campus for the very first time and quickly fell in love with everything UCR. It was a very different experience being on campus and being given the opportunity to participate in Staff Assembly events as well as other happenings campus wide. This has led me here, hoping to secure a role on the board and be able to contribute to one of the very best parts of being on campus, Staff Assembly.

  

Kourtney Luke

Kourtney Luke

Professional Academic Advisor, CNAS

Why are you running for a position on the Staff Assembly Board?

As someone who enjoys advocacy professionally and personally, joining Staff Assembly would be an excellent opportunity for me to contribute to a meaningful impact on campus. I am interested in joining the Staff Assembly because I’d like to be part of an organization that promotes the interests of staff, provides opportunities for personal and professional development, and fosters communication among staff, faculty, and students.

If elected, what are your plans for the position(s) for which you are running?

My goal would be to improve communication and engagement with the staff at UCR. I want to continue growing Staff Assembly's social media presence by developing a social media strategy that includes a mix of content, including news and updates from the Staff Assembly, and relevant content from across the UC Riverside community. I believe this could help to increase engagement and build a sense of community. In addition, I’d hope to develop and implement marketing campaigns designed to promote Staff Assembly's events, programs, and initiatives to help increase attendance and engagement and build awareness of Staff Assembly's work and impact.

What do you think Staff Assembly needs to Prioritize in 2023-24?

Supporting staff well-being: The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for staff members, and many may be struggling with burnout, the transition to hybrid work, changes to workloads, and other issues. Staff Assembly could consider ways to support staff well-being, such as offering mental health resources, providing training on stress management, or creating support groups for staff members.

Biography

I've spent the last 6 years working as an academic advisor here at UCR. Working as an Academic Advisor has given me a deep understanding of effectively communicating and engaging with students, staff, and faculty. Five years ago, I discovered my passion for marketing & communications while creating a social media cooking channel with my son to raise awareness about food allergies among kids and families. This experience has allowed me to develop skills in digital media, storytelling, and multi-channel marketing, while also gaining valuable insights into the importance of creating engaging and relatable content.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Art with a concentration in photography, which has given me a unique perspective on visual storytelling and design. Additionally, I earned a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, which has helped me to understand the importance of effective communication and collaboration. I hope to bring my unique blend of knowledge to this position for Staff Assembly.

  

Sarah Dillon

Sarah Dillon

Incumbent Director of Administration
HR Director, Harvest SSC

Why are you running for a position on the Staff Assembly Board?

I've had the opportunity to be part of the Staff Assembly board for part of this year as the Director of Administration. Staff Assembly serves an important function in building culture and community on campus that I want to continue to support. Being on the board will let me plan great things for our campus and represent the needs of staff across campus.

If elected, what are your plans for the position(s) for which you are running?

As the Director of Professional Development, I would continue the great programming that has been done in the past years with the Lunch and Learns and Annual Staff Conference. Staff on campus have a wide array of skills that they bring to their work that they can share with one another and improve their own skills. I would also work on helping staff navigate all of the opportunities on campus and throughout the UC for professional development.

What do you think Staff Assembly needs to Prioritize in 2023-24?

One of the biggest challenges that Staff Assembly needs to focus on is continuing to build community in a hybrid workforce. With some people returning and others never having left, making sure there are opportunities for all staff to participate is key. As well, bringing together the many different voices and experiences of staff and advocating for what is best for staff members across campus is an important function for Staff Assembly going into the next year.

Biography

Following my undergrad at UCSD, I moved into HR working for a casino, promoting employee recognition and culture. I transitioned to UCR and have been here for 6 years, moving up in HR positions and earning a master's degree in Organizational Leadership. I'm passionate about making sure every person feels supported in their job and focusing on the human part of human resources.

  

Brianna Morales

Brianna Morales

Incumbent Director of Involvement & Recognition
Alumni Programs Coordinator, Alumni Engagement

Why are you running for a position on the Staff Assembly Board?

I am running for the Director of Involvement and Recognition because I truly believe in all the work Staff Assembly is doing. I have been on the board since 2020 and have seen all the effort the executive board has put in to ensure staff are seen, heard, recognized, and more importantly, represented.

If elected, what are your plans for the position(s) for which you are running?

If elected for this position, I will focus on continuing the tradition of recognizing staff on a monthly basis through the Get Recognized program but also look at new ways we can expand to recognize entire departments and/or teams. This is important to me because there aren't many opportunities for entire departments/teams to be highlighted and I want to change that.

What do you think Staff Assembly needs to Prioritize in 2023-24?

I believe that Staff Assembly should focus on continuing to put staff needs first, actively listening to the staff climate, find new ways to increase staff morale and engagement, and meet with senior leadership on how they can be more involved in Staff Assembly events so staff can get to know them on a more relatable level.

Biography

Brianna has been Staff Assembly Director of Involvement and Recognition since 2020. She is also on the board of the Chicana Latina Staff and Faculty affinity group. She is a UCR alum and began her career at UCR in 2018 as a Finance and Administrative Coordinator at the Career Center. She is currently the Alumni Programs Coordinator at the Office of Alumni Engagement.

She is a mom of two boys (10yrs & 5 yrs) and loves to spend time with her family and friends. She enjoys party planning, music, dancing, and doing anything creative.

  

Kate Dorff

Kate Dorff

Manager of External Relations, School of Medicine Strategic Initiatives

Why are you running for a position on the Staff Assembly Board?

I am running for Director of Events because I am passionate about staff engagement. I am looking forward to facilitating events for staff which will help them become more involved in UCR's community. I am eager to become part of staff assembly and help them continue to build on their programs and events.

If elected, what are your plans for the position(s) for which you are running?

If I am elected to this position I will help staff assembly continue to develop and execute events for the UCR staff. I look forward to continuing to build on great events like the community partner fair and staff conference.

What do you think Staff Assembly needs to Prioritize in 2023-24?

Staff Assembly continually strives to involve staff in the University's community. I would like to see more engagement with staff across hybrid platforms. I'd like to focus on how best engage remote and on-campus employees during staff events.

Biography

Kate Dorff is the manager of external relations and protocol in the Strategic Initiatives unit of the School of Medicine. In this capacity she provides strategic communications support and manages public facing events. She has previously worked for CHASS ARTSbock and Undergraduate Admissions at UCR. She is the recipient of the School of Medicine’s Values in Action Award and is a member of the School’s Staff Professional Development committee. Kate has worked in academic events for more than 10 years. She is a mother of three young children and enjoys spending her free time with her family.

  

Penni Ebina

Penni Ebina

Incumbent Director of Finance 
Purchasing Specialist
Auxiliary Services Budget & Finance

Why are you running for a position on the Staff Assembly Board?

I am running for a 9th year as the Director of Finance position because I have always supported Staff Assembly's purpose to enhance the functioning of UCR, by promoting the interests and welfare of all staff career employees. I want to continue to be an active part of this organization

If elected, what are your plans for the position(s) for which you are running?

If re-elected, I will use my financial skills to continue to maintain fiscal control and compliance of the Staff Assembly funds. I would also like to see some ways we can fundraise and impact the largest number of staff members in the most exciting ways.

What do you think Staff Assembly needs to prioritize in 2022-23?

I think that during the upcoming year, Staff Assembly needs to continue they ways we have brought staff more involvement, Recognition, Development and staff connection even in this Hybrid situation, and expand our Virtual Bingo to hopefully have hybrid sessions!

Biography

My name is Penni Ebina and I have been on the UCR campus for 19 1/2 years.

I am currently a Purchasing Specialist within the Auxiliary Services Budget & Finance Unit

I have made strong relationships with colleagues that I value throughout my time here at UCR. This is my chance to be active in an organization who recognizes all that staff does for us here at UCR. Please vote for me as Director of Finance. Thank you.

7.0.1

  

Tanya Wine

Tanya Wine

Incumbent Director of Professional Development

Divisional Financial & Administrative Officer, CHASS Dean’s Office

Why are you running for a position on the Staff Assembly Board?

I love being of service to the campus and lending my voice to the issues that staff feel are important. Being part of Staff Assembly has allowed me to meet staff members from across campus and listen to their stories and to help to build community.

If elected, what are your plans for the position(s) for which you are running?

My plans for the position would be to help organize events, that are relevant to the staff and promote campus engagement at all levels.

What do you think Staff Assembly needs to Prioritize in 2023-24?

Partnering with campus leadership to promote diversity and inclusion as well as continuing to help build a culture of respect and collaboration, address workload and staffing issues as well as compensation disparities.

Biography

I have worked in higher education for over 28 years with the last 23 years as a staff member at UC Riverside. I currently serve as a Divisional FAO in CHASS, where I have spent the last 15 years of my career. My professional experience includes payroll, financial management, contract & grant management as well as academic personnel and people management.

  

Paige Mejia

Paige Mejia

Financial Operations Manager, EMN Administration

Why are you running for a position on the Staff Assembly Board?

I have had the opportunity to serve on the executive board for Staff Assembly in 2017 and presently the Black Faculty and Staff Association. Being on the boards gave me the opportunity to see the challenges staff face on a daily and it has sparked a passion in me to continue fighting for our staff. I want to be able to be the voice for those who do not have one or not in the position to speak up without retaliation. Staff Assembly has laid the foundation for the staff affinity groups on campus and has created the space for us to be heard. I would like to continue being the voice and helping this org evolve.

If elected, what are your plans for the position(s) for which you are running?

My plans for this position, like many before me, is to continue to find ways to make it evolve. This role is expected to meet regularly with the key campus administrators and my goal is to make sure we continue stressing the importance of staff issues whether it is an issue of unequal pay, gender inequality, the microaggressions the BIPOC staff face in their units, and etc. Simply put, my goal is to make sure all staff are heard.

What do you think Staff Assembly needs to Prioritize in 2023-24?

Staff Assembly has done a great job at providing resources and being the "face" for staff across campus. One of the things I would like to see more of is collaboration with the other affinity groups on campus such as Black Faculty & Staff Association, Latina/Chicana Staff & Faculty, Asian and Pacific Islander staff affinity groups and etc. There are many more to list and these groups are off doing their own thing but it would be nice to see collaboration to get all groups involved with each other and for them to know they are apart of the Staff Assembly Umbrella (in a way).

Biography

Paige serves as the Financial Operations Manager in the UCR EMN Administration unit. She is a UCR alumni who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and is pursuing a M.B.A with a concentration in Accounting from California Baptist University. In addition to the scholarly activities, she is serving her fourth term on the Black Faculty and Staff Association Executive board and is currently the Secretary. She also served on the UCR Staff Assembly Executive Board as the Co-Director of Communications. Paige is passionate about supporting the retention of staff, faculty, and students and finding ways to effectively serve the UCR community.