Current SAB Members
Don Calerdine
Department: Information Technology Services (ITS)
Title: ITS-BAS-LITS
Years of Service: 17
First Year Serving on SAB: 2004
Campus Committees: Campus Conduct Board (Lead), Advisory Committee on Campus Transportation & Parking (Lead)
Internal Committees: Staff Appreciation Picnic
(831) 459-4371
dcalerdi@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
Greetings Colleagues,
I want to thank you for electing me to the SAB. As a relative newcomer to UCSC staff having accepted an IT position in the Chancellors/EVC’s office in Jan 2000, I still have watched a tremendous amount of change happen on campus. Part of the change was the centralization of IT, which moved my job to the position of IT-LIT working for BAS. As someone that has had to partake with positional change due to campus restructuring, I can commiserate with what a lot of staff members are dealing with. Most of the change of course, has been driven by financial reasons, making for difficult decisions for all. I strongly believe that the SAB voice has been able to provide administration with valuable input, as choices are made.
As a father of 4 daughters that are either immersed in the California college system or graduated, I also have a parents point of view also, as we sign the checks….
A lover of all things outside from the beach to high mountains meadows, hiking, and most sports. An unexpected well cooked meal somewhere unknown, and road-trips with the quirky habit of taking photos in old spooky historical graveyards. And oh yea, Go Giants!
John Steele
Department: Information Technology Services (ITS)
Title: Programer Analyst
Years of Service: 19
First Year Serving on SAB: 2009
Campus Committees: Campus Welfare Committee, Campus Holiday Food Drive (Chair/Lead), Student Fee Advisory Committee, Welcome to Retirement Committee, Child Care Program and Financial Review Team
Internal Committees: Advocacy (Lead), Thumbs Up (Lead), Elections (Lead), Staff Recognition Program, Staff Mentorship Program (Lead), Staff Appreciation Picnic
(831) 459-4065
moriarti@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
Greetings Colleagues,
I am a Kresge 1989 alum. I majored in Philosophy. I came back to work at UCSC in 1998 working in Information & Technology Services.
Working with the SAB has provided me with many opportunities to meet many great people on our campus and in our community. It has given me better insight into how it all fits together both in Santa Cruz, and system wide.
I am honored this year to be chairing our local Staff Advisory Board. I am also chairing our Campus Advocacy Group and Second Harvest Holiday Food Drive, as well as being your junior CUCSA representative.
As we move forward through these challenging times I trust that the fine work of the SAB and its constituents will make our campus stronger and more dynamic.
Theo Diamantopoulos
Department: Fleet Services
Title:
Years of Service: Fleet Manager
First Year Serving on SAB: 2010
Campus Committees: Campus Conduct Board, Advisory Committee on Campus Transportation & Parking, Holiday Food Drive
Internal Committees: Staff Appreciation Picnic
(831) 459-1938
tdemas@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
As a graduate of UC Santa Cruz, I personally witnessed the hard work and dedication that goes into delivering our students a first class education. As the campus Fleet Manager for the past 3 years, I know the pride we all feel in being able to provide our students the same tranquil environment, conducive to learning that many of us UC grads enjoyed. I strongly believe we can maintain this atmosphere for students, even in the midst of these trying times, and ensure that the staff experience continues to improve. My concerns are your concerns. Salary has been largely stagnant for many of us, while workloads have increased. Represented staff have seen wage increases to compensate them for rising benefits contributions and we have not. Now more than ever, we need fellow staff members to advocate for us on these issues. I look forward to representing you on the Staff Advisory Board so that dialogue on these issues will continue and our voices may continue to be heard.
Michael Luttrell (Chair, Junior CUCSA Delegate)
Department: Conference Services
Title: Student Supervisor/Conference Coordinator
Years of Service: 10
First Year Serving on SAB: 2010
Campus Committees: Council of UC Staff Assemblies, Chancellor’s Diversity Advisory Committee, Chancellor's Achievement Awards for Diversity Committee, Campus Climate Action Team, Campus Conduct Board, Pay for Performance Advisory Committee
Internal Committees: Staff Appreciation Picnic (Lead), Staff Mentorship Program, Staff Recognition Program, Marketing (Lead), Blood Drive (Lead)
Office: (831) 459-4828
Cell: (831) 212-4179
mjluttre@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
I was a student at UCSC From 2003 - 2007 and a student employee at OPERS during all 4 years, working for event staff, athletics, and the East Field House Facility Center. I was then hired by OPERS as the interim Facility Center Supervisor where I supervised the Center student staff. In April 2008, I was hired in my current job as a Conference Coordinator and Student Supervisor at UCSC Conference Services. Working for Conference Services, I have the pleasure of working with a variety of different departments all across campus. I have gained valuable experience from this interaction with our diverse campus population of faculty, staff and administrators. Over the past 7 years, I have been directly affected by the ever-changing world of the UC system, both as a student, student employee and as career staff. Especially now, in this time of budget cuts and changing campus environment, I am happy to serve on The SAB and give a fresh and energetic outlook to things, from the many perspectives that my experience has exposed me to. I have always been very passionate about my work and the departments I have worked in for at UCSC. In my second year on the board I am very excited to serve and continue to contribute to make this a better environment for our staff members, which in return makes this a better University for our students.
Fiona Weigant (Chair Elect)
Department: Education Department
Title: Department Manager
Years of Service: 16
First Year Serving on SAB: 2011
Campus Committees: Outstanding Staff Award Committee (Lead), Graduate Student Commons Commitee, Campus United Way Committee (Lead)
Internal Committees: Advocacy, Staff Appreciation Picnic
(831) 459-4102
fweigant@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
I am a Cowell college 2001 alum. I majored in History with a minor in Legal Studies. I have been a UCSC employee since October 2001. I have worked in the Social Sciences Division, the Physical & Biological Sciences Division, Planning and Budget and the Office of Research. I am now the Education Department Manager.
I became involved with the SAB when I volunteered to be on the Staff Advocacy Committee. I am a past chair (2013-14) of SAB and I had the honor to serve as a UCSC delegate to the UC Council of Staff Assemblies for 2013-14 and 2014-15. I feel strongly about creating and maintaining a supportive healthy work environment for all UCSC employees. I look forward to the challenges each new year brings with excitement and they you for the opportunity to serve as your advocate.
Julie Phillips (Secretary)
(she, her, hers)
Department: CHES
Title: Coordinator for Residential Education, College Nine
Years of Service: 6
First Year Serving on SAB: 2013
Campus Committees: Employee Housing RFP Team, Human Resources Advisory Group, Outstanding Staff Award Committee, Police Community Advisory Board
Internal Committees: Staff Appreciation Picnic
(831) 459-4201
japhilli@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
A transplant to California, I have worked in a number of educational institutions during my career, including a stint teaching English in China and South Korea. UCSC's unique campus community and culture is both what attracted me here and what has motivated me to get involved in the SAB. I serve as a Coordinator for Residential Education for College Nine and primarily work with first-year students that live on campus.
I am always amazed by the dedication of UCSC staff, and by how much we collectively contribute to making UCSC a great institution! During my time on the SAB, I have worked with other board members to advocate for staff regarding wage/cost of living increases, maintenance of employee wellness programs, improvements to campus safety, and retention/improvement of staff benefits, among others. I believe many challenges lay ahead due to increasing student enrollments, and I am committed to being an advocate for staff as we navigate these waters. Last, but certainly not least, I look forward to seeking new ways to celebrate and appreciate the staff community!
David Ranzolin
Department: Scout from University of California
Title: Research Analyst
Years of Service: 3
First Year Serving on SAB: 2015
Campus Committees: Outstanding Staff Award Committee, Campus Holiday Food Drive
Internal Committees: Staff Appreciation Picnic
(408) 450-4947
ranzolin@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
I have the privilege of working for Scout, a UC program that neighbors University Extension in Santa Clara. I see the SAB as a unique opportunity to better serve our students, colleagues, and local communities, and I am excited about its current growth and future potential.
A little about me: when I’m not playing basketball or reading, my wife and I enjoy hanging out with our cat Mycroft and complaining about how long we have to wait for the next season of BBC’s Sherlock.
Matthew Sloan
(he, him, his)
Department: CHES: Facilities Maintenance
Title: Facilities Asset Coordinator
Years of Service: 4
First Year Serving on SAB: 2015
Campus Committees: Campus Holiday Food Drive
Internal Committees: Staff Appreciation Picnic
(831) 212-5018
mosloan@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
I see education as the cornerstone of civilization. It is an honor to be of service to this great educational institution and to be a member of the Staff Advisory Board. Connecting with different campus departments and representing the needs of the staff is very rewarding. Working at UCSC is a blessing - to walk outside my office and smell the ocean air in the redwoods is incredible.
I am an avid competitive cyclist. Self-reflection, the arts, and education are also important to me. I love living in Santa Cruz. I don’t think I could be happier anywhere on Earth.
Derek DeMarco (Senior CUCSA Delegate)
(he, him, his)
Department: CHES
Title: Coordinator for Residential Education
Years of Service: 4
First Year Serving on SAB: 2016
Campus Committees: Council of UC Staff Assemblies, Committee on Sustainability and Stewardship
Internal Committees: Staff Appreciation Picnic, Blood Drive
(831) 459-5230
ddemarco@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
Though not an alum, I quickly felt at home here at UCSC, and hope to serve the SAB and campus community to help continue creating a home for others. I joined campus in the fall of 2013 as a member of CHES, specifically serving as a Coordinator for Residential Education in the Crown College Residence Halls. I spend a lot of my time working directly with students and student leaders; encouraging conversations around personal development, social justice, and leadership.
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 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.
Patti Schell
Department: Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
Title: Department Manager, Chemistry & Biochemistry
Years of Service: 9
First Year Serving on SAB: 2016
Campus Committees: Long Range Development Plan Committee
Internal Committees: Staff Appreciation Picnic
(831) 459-2537
pmschell@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
Grateful and appreciative to have this opportunity to serve on the SAB.
Born and raised in Washington State, I am a recent "transplant" to California. Santa Cruz was an annual vacation spot for my family as my in-laws lived here. Each visit my husband and I would always ponder - wouldn't it be great to live here....and well here we are!
My work experience is in project management and high level administrative support. I have worked in both the private and public sector including a public university located in central Washington and two start up biotech firms.
Having served on the local board and also system-wide board for ABOG (UC Academic Business Officers Group), I feel it is a natural progression to now continue that service component of my career through the SAB. I hope to be able to facilitate communication and awareness between these two staff organizations by providing an academic staff perspective to the SAB and broaden visibility of SAB activities across campus.
Nikki Vamosi
Department: Real Estate Office
Title: Assistant Director
Years of Service: 6
First Year Serving on SAB: 2016
Campus Committees: United Way Committee, Holiday Food Drive
Internal Committees: Staff Recognition Program
(831) 459-1840
nvamosi@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
Very excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Staff Advisory Board.
I have worked at UCSC for around five years. Before joining the Real Estate Office, I worked in Business Contracts. I am a mother of two very energetic young boys. I have a background in law, mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution.
My family is from rural coal mining country near West Virginia. I was the first in my family to graduate from a four-year institution after high school. I can personally attest to the life-altering impact higher education can have and truly believe in the University's research and teaching mission.
Staff serve such a critical role in support of this mission. I look forward to learning more about how I can make a positive contribution to support the needs and interests of staff across all areas of campus.
Aaron Jones
(he, him, his)
Department: African American Resource & Cultural Center (AARCC) & Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP)
Title: African/Black/Caribbean (ABC) Retention Specialist
Years of Service: 1
First Year Serving on SAB: 2017
Campus Committees: Coming Soon
Internal Committees: Coming Soon
(831) 459-2898
ajones10@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
I'm the African/Black/Caribbean (ABC) Retention Specialist 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 second 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!
Amy Hyler-Essig
Department: Student Success Evaluation and Research Center (SSERC)
Title: Senior Systems Analyst for Student Success
Years of Service: 15
First Year Serving on SAB: 2017
Campus Committees: Coming Soon
Internal Committees: Coming Soon
(831) 459-7072
amerob@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
I am proudly 100% Slug, and looking forward to serve campus as part of the Staff Advisory Board! I am a graduate of Stevenson College, and have worked in a number of departments across campus since I came to Santa Cruz. As a strong believer in and advocate for the UCSC Principles of Community, I am looking forward to working together with the rest of the SAB to ensure that these principles are upheld by and for the entire UCSC community. In my spare time, I like to knit and watch TV (often at the same time), and I volunteer with the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, helping adorable cats and kittens find their fur-ever homes.
Nathan McCall
Department: Staff Human Resources
Title: HR Business Information Services Manager
Years of Service: 5
First Year Serving on SAB: 2017
Campus Committees: Coming Soon
Internal Committees: Coming Soon
(831) 459-3827
nmccall@ucsc.edu
Personal Statement
My favorite way to get to know someone is face-to-face, and preferably outside. So, feel free to reach out to me for a lunchtime chat. Yet, for the purposes of this page, I'll share a bit about me here...
I enjoy removing or overcoming obstacles. I do this in my work, by helping SHR find better ways of serving our campus. I do this in my play, by leading teams of UCSC folk through the Tough Mudder obstacle courses (Go Sluggernauts!). I do 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.