Current SAB Members
Thank you to this year's executive board members!
- Chair, Jr CUCSA Delegate, Nathan McCall
- Chair-elect, Katie Ritchey
- Past Chair, Sr CUCSA Delegate, Dr. Aaron Jones
- Treasurer, Mirjam Kuusik
- Treasurer-elect, Al Covington
- Secretary, Sara Dolan
Al Covington (Treasurer-elect)
(he, him, his)
Department: Resource Planning & Management, Information Technology Services
Title: Divisional HR Manager
Years of UCSC Service: 7
First Year Serving on SAB: 2018-19
Campus Committees:
Internal Committees: Communications, Finance, Engagement (Blood Drive)
(831) 459-4227
alcovington@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
I didn’t know anything about Santa Cruz before I moved here to start working at the university, but I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of this community. The nature of my work is people management. I don't have any true direct reports, but sometimes I feel like I have 250! Now in my second term on SAB, I hope to engage more with campus and systemwide leadership to leverage as many opportunities as possible for our campus and our staff in the midst of the immense changes ahead for professional work in higher education. When I'm not working, I try to see as much live music as possible, listen to a lot of podcasts, and hike around Santa Cruz county.
Derek DeMarco (Operations Officer for CUCSA) 
(he, him, his)
Department: Chemistry/Biochemistry (PBSci)
Title: Department Manager
Years of UCSC Service: 8
First Year Serving on SAB: 2016
Campus Committees: MLK Convocation Planning Committee
Internal Committees: Finances, Communications, Internal Operations, Engagement (Volunteer)
(831) 459-2537
ddemarco@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
Though not an alum, I quickly felt at home here at UCSC, and I hope to serve the SAB and campus community by helping to create a feeling of home for others! I joined campus in the fall of 2013 as a member of CHES, then moved to University Extension Silicon Valley in January of 2018. Most recently I have returned to the Santa Cruz campus as the department manager for Chemistry and Biochemistry. In addition to the work of curriculum management, faculty support, and office management, it is important to me that I make positive contributions to supporting staff and students on campus, and encoruaging conversations around personal development, social justice, and engagement. Off campus, I perform frequently in community theater, bake, read as much as my time allows, and relentlessly cheer on the Detroit Red Wings.
I hope my time with the SAB affords me the opportunity to help our campus move forward in a challenging world. Our work as an institution of educating the citizens of our state, nation, and the world play a crucial role in shaping a future we can be proud to leave for the next generation. SAB does great work in ensuring our staff can continue this important work, and I am pleased to contribute what I can.
Jimmy Gaffney
(he, him, his)
Department: Environmental Studies
Title: Department Manager
Years of UCSC Service: 5
First Year Serving on SAB: 2019-20
Campus Committees: Campus Safety Community Advisory Board
Internal Committees: Communications
(831) 459-4837
jimmy@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
I’m thoroughly excited to serve my first term on the Staff Advisory Board! The Staff Advisory Board does great work to ensure that staff have a voice and that staff members are supported and recognized for their work. I’m here to help make that voice louder and advocate for meaningful staff consideration and involvement in campus planning efforts going forward.
In my free time I enjoy hiking with my partner, playing disc golf, playing flag football, and getting way too excited about new tech and gadgets. I’ve been with UCSC and the Environmental Studies department for 4 years and am hoping to be here for many years to come!
Dr. Aaron Jones (Past-Chair & Senior CUCSA Delegate)
(he, him, his)
Department: African American Resource & Cultural Center (AARCC) & Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP)
Title: Associate Director for Black Student Success
Years of UCSC Service: 5
First Year Serving on SAB: 2017-18
Campus Committees: Campus Conduct Board, Campus Inclusive Climate Council (MLK Convocation Subcommittee)
Internal Committees: Engagement
(831) 459-2898
ajones10@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
I'm the Associate Director for Black Student Success and my job is to provide academic advising and counseling while also creating retention and support programs to benefit ABC and other underrepresented student populations.
This is the beginning of my 4th year here at UC Santa Cruz. I am a native Californian and a product of the UC system, born and raised in Los Angeles and a double alum of UC Riverside. I spent some time working at the University of Hawai 'i but left one side of the Pacific for another.
My role and goal in life is to work toward building institutional equity and educational opportunity for people from historically marginalized groups. Social Justice is a process and a goal. We have work to do and I look forward to what we can do to support staff here on campus here within the Staff Advisory Board.
Feel free to reach out if you want to chat!
Evin Knight
(she, her, hers)
Title: Director of Operations
Years of UCSC Service: 9
First Year Serving on SAB: 2019-20
Campus Committees:
Internal Committees: Communications, Engagement
Personal Statement
I’ve been at UCSC since 2013 managing programs, events, and communications for academic centers and institutes. I am excited to join the Staff Advisory Board because I am passionate about workplace engagement and helping to make the work environment an inclusive, cooperative, efficient, and environmentally friendly place. I especially enjoy building green teams and creating an organizational culture of sustainability. I like finding creative solutions, I am not afraid to question the status quo, and I am inspired by new challenges, special projects and new opportunities. In my "free" time I like camping, hiking, and spending time with my family.
Mirjam Kuusik (Treasurer)
(she, her, hers)
Title: Unit Manager
Years of UCSC Service: 4
First Year Serving on SAB: 2019-20
Campus Committees:
Internal Committees: Finance
(831) 459-4773
mkuusik@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
I am excited to serve on Staff Advisory Board and become more involved with UCSC community. Currently I am Unit Manager with UCSC Dining Services. Although I am involved in overseeing dining operations for the entire campus, with focus on Porter/Kresge Dining Hall and Owl’s Nest Cafe. UCSC Dining Department has 200 represented staff, 900 student staff and 50 managerial staff. I am heavily involved in recruitments, hiring fairs and staff trainings...and I love it.
Nathan McCall (Chair, Junior CUCSA Delegate)
Department: Staff Human Resources
Title: Manager, HR Business Information Services
Years of UCSC Service: 7
First Year Serving on SAB: 2017-18
Campus Committees: Employee Housing Workgroup
Internal Committees: Internal Operations, Engagement, Finance, Communications
(831) 459-3827
nmccall@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
What do I want you to know about me?
I enjoy removing or overcoming obstacles. I do this in my work, by helping SHR find better ways of serving our campus. I've done this in my play, by leading teams of UCSC folk through the Tough Mudder obstacle courses (Go Sluggernauts!). I've done this in my volunteering, by moderating Open Dialogues on Religion for staff and students, through my service on the University Interfaith Council.
In all these efforts, my goal is the same: to help individuals and groups work through what is inhibiting them from a full experience of well-being and stepping further into their potential. I've joined the SAB to engage that same helpfulness in serving our campus community. So, if you see an obstacle that the SAB can help the campus work through, and you're willing to step further into your potential to get it done, then let me know so I can bring it to the group to see what we can all accomplish together.
Also, My favorite way to get to know someone is face-to-face, and preferably outside. So, feel free to reach out to me and we'll set up a lunchtime chat.
Katie Ritchey (Chair-elect)
(she, her, hers)
Department: University Library
Title: Collection Maintenance Supervisor
Years of UCSC Service: 7
First Year Serving on SAB: 2019-20
Campus Committees: Campus Conduct Board
Internal Committees: Communications, Internal Operations, Finance, Engagement
831-459-3241
kritchey@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
I am an alum of Cowell College and have enjoyed working at the University Library. I’m excited to work with the Staff Advisory board to advocate for staff and become more involved with the larger UCSC Campus over the next few years. Outside of work I enjoy baking, reading, camping, and working on house projects with my husband.
Travis Becker
(He, Him, They, Them)
Department:
Title: Assistant Dean of Students, Strategic Initiatives & Policy Analysis
Years of UCSC Service:
First Year Serving on SAB: 2019-2020
Campus Committees: Graduate Student Commons
Internal Committees: Engagement
(831) 459-2468
trbecker@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
Coming Soon
Sara Dolan (Secretary)
(She, Her)
Department: UC Scout / Silicon Valley Extension
Title: Instructional Design Supervisor
Years of UCSC Service: 3
First Year Serving on SAB: 2021-2022
Campus Committees: Campus Inclusive Climate Council (MLK Convocation Subcommittee)
Internal Committees: Engagement (SAB Mentor Program)
(925) 222-1789
sdolan@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
During my time as an undergraduate (at Kresge College) and at my current role (with the UC Scout team), I've grown incredibly fond of the UCSC community. I'm honored by my nomination and eager to listen, learn, and contribute as best I can. I'm especially interested in working with fellow board members and with the community at large to address technical issues and practice innovative, resourceful problem-solving.
Ryan Ervin
Department:
Title: Sr. Custodial Supervisor
Years of UCSC Service:
First Year Serving on SAB: 2021-2022
Campus Committees: Administrative Management Professionals (AMP)
Internal Committees: Engagement
(831) 459-21163
rwervin@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
Coming Soon
Jessica Bulleri
(She / Her)
Department: Risk Services
Title: Wellness Coordinator
Years of UCSC Service: 2.5
First Year Serving on SAB: 2021-2022
Campus Committees: Human Resources Advisory Group
Internal Committees: Engagement
(831) 502-7375
jbulleri@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
I have been at UCSC for a little over two and a half years now and have fallen in love with our beautiful campus and vibrant community. As the Wellness Coordinator and co-chair of UCSC Healthy Campus, I develop wellness programming for faculty and staff and aim to build a work and learning environment that supports the health and wellbeing of our community. Outside of work, I am an avid reader of sci fi/fantasy books, a true crime podcast aficionado, a bit of a gamer, a Friends binge-watcher, and a dog mom to a very energetic mini Aussie. I am eager to become more involved in the larger campus community and am looking forward to advocating for our staff and addressing their challenges and concerns.
