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 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

August 28, 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 on the verge of a new academic year, which always brings a rush of energy - the excitement of fresh beginnings and the possibilities waiting just ahead. At the same time, it can feel overwhelming, with hope and anxiety often showing up together. I’ve been reminding myself to pause and take a step back from the grind, to reflect on what I want to carry forward and what I can reset.

For me, part of that reflection has been about wellness (I’ll bang on that drum for many years to come). In the past few months, I’ve shared the importance of accountability buddies while focusing on physical wellbeing so that everyday activities feel less taxing.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a runner or a hiker - my love languages are singing at the top of my lungs (just ask my neighbors), dancing like no one’s watching (though I don’t mind if they do), and… wait for it… trampoline breaks. Basically, moving and letting joy take over is what makes me feel alive!

This year, I’m not just giving myself permission to focus on what brings me joy - I’m being intentional and deliberate about setting goals that are meaningful to me, and about owning the way I respond to both challenges and celebrations. In many ways, that’s the essence of growth: shifting from feeling at the mercy of circumstances to realizing we each have the autonomy to choose our response, our attitude, and our path forward.

As we step into a new academic year, I encourage you to reflect on your own version of joy. What outcomes are you hoping to achieve in your wellness, your work, and your life? What would it look like to grant yourself full permission to own that joy? Pursue those answers with intention, because within them may lie the key to a deeper sense of happiness. Wishing you a joyful and restorative Labor Day weekend.

Lead with grace and courage,

Terri S. Winbush 

Campus Chief Human Resources Officer 

Starting Sunday, August 24, UCPath implemented enhanced security for viewing direct deposit information. When accessing your direct deposit details, you will now be asked to enter an active bank account number linked to your direct deposit. This change is part of UCPath’s ongoing efforts to protect your personal information. No immediate action is required unless you need to view or update your direct deposit. Please note:

For questions, contact UCPath at (855) 982-7284 or visit ucpath.universityofcalifornia.edu.

Missed the August 12 Staff Town Hall? Watch the full recording on Blink, along with links and resources shared. 

UC San Diego full-time career staff are invited to apply or nominate a colleague for the inaugural Dialogue for Peace Staff Professional Development Fellowship. This cohort-based learning experience takes place October 15–17, 2025 in person at UC San Diego, and will explore peacemaking and restorative justice as frameworks for dialogue across differences, conflict resolution, and community-building. Fellows will gain facilitation skills, learn from subject matter experts, connect with colleagues, and receive $250 in project funding to apply their learning within their department. Attendance at all sessions is required. Apply or submit a nomination by Monday, September 8, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. using the Application Form or Nomination Form. Additional information is available in this recent campus notice.

Read the latest edition of UCnet’s UC Spotlight - a monthly feature celebrating the people and teams who help make UC a great place to work. Do you know a UC San Diego staff member whose story should be shared? Read the August spotlight and learn how to submit a nomination on UCnet.

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 strategies and approaches? Explore our managerial and leadership development course offerings within our Subway Stop 2 series. Multiple opportunities include:

Course descriptions and registration links are available in our  2025 calendar. 

The University of California Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) cohort launches Monday, September 1, 2025. The DPP is a free, one-year lifestyle change program available to all UC San Diego employees 18+ who have pre-diabetes or are at risk for type 2 diabetes. The program helps cut your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half while building a supportive community. To register your interest, fill out this Qualtrics interest form.  

We invite all UC San Diego Campus employees, postdocs and retirees to participate in a supportive conversational space every fourth Wednesday of the month from 12 – 1 p.m. The next session takes place September 24. Register on Zoom here. If you have any questions about this community space, please contact Faculty and Staff Assistance Program Counselor, Cat Thompson, Ph.D. at cathompson@ucsd.edu. 

Members of the UC San Diego community are invited to attend the virtual Exemplary Staff Employee of the Year Awards ceremony on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 3 p.m.  The Exemplary Staff Employee of the Year Award Program recognizes professional and support staff career employees who make exceptional contributions to the UC San Diego and San Diego communities in support of the vision to be a "student-centered, research-focused, service-oriented public university." Learn more in this recent campus notice, and register through Zoom.

People Leaders on campus, join us on Tuesday, October 21 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. for the second of two webinars in the series “Change, Community, and Agency” - a focused conversation for employees navigating ongoing uncertainty in the workplace. In part one, we explored how to foster stability and cohesion amid disruption. Part two shifts the focus inward, offering strategies for career growth, upskilling, and reclaiming agency in the face of evolving professional demands. Together, we’ll discuss how to lead with resilience, support others through transformation, and build strength in the midst of change. Register on Zoom.

Framework, our newest studio apartment community in Downtown San Diego, is offering immediate move-ins with no application fee, waived income requirements, and minimal screening. Located just two blocks from the Park & Market station on the UC San Diego Blue Line, Framework provides a convenient commute to both the La Jolla campus and the Hillcrest Medical Center. Residents enjoy modern amenities including co-working lounges, a fitness center, rooftop BBQ, and more. Learn more, schedule a tour, and explore current availability for Framework and other housing options on Blink.