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Each month, we spotlight an organization at Berkeley. For this month, we are spotlighting LavenderCal, UC Berkeley's network for LGBTQ+ staff, faculty, postdocs, and visiting scholars. LavenderCal works to build community and belonging among all LGBTQ+ campus community members, recognizing the intersections of sexual orientation and gender identity with race, ethnicity, disability, class, age, faith, and culture.

Briefly describe your job/role at UC Berkeley:

Ann serves as the coordinator for UC Berkeley's first Disability Cultural Community Center, creating inclusive spaces and advocating for the disability community on campus.

How long has the nominee worked at Cal?

Four years.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does/its mission:

The Bear Pantry was first established in 2009 by a student parent living in the Village who wanted to serve low income families and those with dependent minors. Since then, the Bear Pantry has evolved to a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with dedicated staff to support basic needs efforts at UVA.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does/its mission:

How does your Staff Organization benefit UC Berkeley staff?

The mission of BSFO is to create a climate that is conducive to the well-being and professional development aspirations of Black staff, faculty, and students.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does/its mission:

The Berkeley Facilitators Network (BFN) is devoted to building the capacity of skilled facilitation on campus by providing a community of practice where colleagues can make connections, find support, receive training, and share best practices on the topic of facilitation.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does/its mission:

The BSA Staff Engagement and Belonging Committee works to foster diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across UC Berkeley by addressing systemic barriers and creating supportive environments for all staff members.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does/its mission:

The Native & Indigenous Council endeavors to address the desires, needs, and concerns of Native & Indigenous UC Berkeley staff, faculty, and postdocs by fostering community engagement and networking opportunities with the goal of increasing visibility and enhancing cultural awareness.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does/its mission:

The Staff Alliance for Disability Access (SADA) is a collaborative and supportive campus staff organization that addresses the needs of UC Berkeley staff members with disabilities. "Disabilities" may refer to any combination of physical, psychological, learning, and medical disabilities.

Briefly describe your job/role at UC Berkeley:

Luly Sbeta is the Coordinator for Residential Community Standards and is currently serving in an interim role as an Organization Advising & Student Involvement Services (OASIS) Advisor.

How long has the nominee worked at Cal?

21 months. 

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does/its mission:

We provide a forum for collegial interaction in the research administration community!

How does your Staff Organization benefit UC Berkeley staff?

BRAG is a forum for discussing and sharing problems, information, and best practices that Berkeley research administrators encounter during their not-so-routine workdays. We also facilitate presentations by subject matter experts and create an environment to foster peer-to-peer exchanges.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does/its mission:

Employee Assistance provides no-cost confidential counseling and referrals for UC Berkeley faculty, staff, visiting scholars, and postdocs.

Briefly describe your job/role at UC Berkeley:

Communications Director at the Division of Equity and Inclusion. I serve as the strategic voice for the division and provide communications leadership on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice (DEIBJ) priorities. My aim is to foster transparent, inclusive, and impactful communication practices.

How long has the nominee worked at Cal?

I’ve worked at UC Berkeley as a staff member for 11 years.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does/its mission:

The University of California Women in Technology Committee (UC WIT) is a self-chartered, independent entity that promotes a supportive, inclusive environment to advance the professional goals and aspirations of UC women in technology. To fulfill this mission, the committee pursues initiatives at the university-wide level, leveraging and supporting the work of location-based Women in Technology (WIT) committees and partnering with other leadership and systemwide committees.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does/its mission:

The University of California, Berkeley, Black Staff and Faculty Organization (BSFO) was developed in 1979 (45 years!) to address the issues and concerns unique to employees at the University of California, Berkeley. The mission of BSFO is to create a climate which is conducive to the well-being and professional development aspirations of Black staff, faculty and students.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does or its mission:

Be Well at Work Faculty/Staff Health programs support employee well-being through a continuum of services, resources and offerings from prevention to treatment.

Briefly describe your job/role at UC Berkeley:

Custodial Services, Early Childhood Education Program (ECEP).

How long has the nominee worked at Cal?

More than 20 years.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does or its mission:

The mission of HAUPIAA is to educate the Cal Athletics community about the range of cultural diversity within the AAPI family and to celebrate AAPI accomplishments and culture with Cal student-athletes and staff.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does or its mission:

The mission of APASA is to promote the general welfare of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) staff, faculty, and students at UC Berkeley.

How does your Staff Organization benefit UC Berkeley staff?

We advocate for the AAPI community, promote inclusivity, provide the visibility of AAPI staff, offer leadership and professional development opportunities, create community-building and networking opportunities, and help to develop members' confidence in their intersectional identities.

Briefly describe your job/role at UC Berkeley:

Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, responsible for managing the Chancellor's schedule and events.

How long has the nominee worked at Cal?

25 years

What does the nominee love about working at UC Berkeley?

Community and her colleagues; it feels like she's working with family. She once left Berkeley for 6 months and came right back. She loves working at Berkeley which is why she has been here so long. Supporting Chancellor Christ has been her favorite role.

Briefly explain what your Staff Organization does/its mission:

The University of California, Berkeley, Black Staff and Faculty Organization (BSFO) was developed in 1979 to address the issues and concerns unique to employees at the University of California, Berkeley. The mission of BSFO is to create a climate which is conducive to the well-being and professional development aspirations of Black staff, faculty and students.