ANR Staff Assembly Council

Meet Your 2022-23 Staff Assembly Council

As donor relations officer on the Development Services team, Scott shares with donors and prospective donors how UC ANR is making a positive difference for communities in every county across the state.

“I enjoy our people, mission and purpose,” says Scott, who has been with ANR for nearly five years. “We have many dedicated employees who are making a difference for 40 million Californians on a daily basis – and I’m constantly inspired by their efforts.”

That’s just one reason why, as Staff Assembly Council Chair, Scott wants to help nurture the best possible working environment for his ANR colleagues, and he believes SAC can help unify and amplify the voices of ANR employees to realize that vision.

As Chair, Scott says he hopes to improve SAC processes, branding and communications systems to make more staff aware of Staff Assembly programs and provide better opportunities for participation and engagement.

“If you want to make a difference for others or improve the work culture at UC ANR, please let us know,” Scott says. “We encourage all staff to empower your voice and improve our staff experience by reaching out to us with your thoughts.”

Dohee, director of media outreach and advocacy liaison for UC Cooperative Extension in Los Angeles County, has been with ANR for 17-plus years. She is a strong believer in the mission and purpose of UC ANR Staff Assembly.

“It is a vehicle to voice staff concerns and issues,” Dohee says. “Without it, staff feel less empowered to participate in important conversations that can improve our work culture and employment policies.”

Currently the vice chair of ANR Staff Assembly Council, Dohee also has served as ANR’s delegate to the Council of University of California Staff Assemblies (CUCSA, which brings together Staff Assemblies from across the UC system).

“I enjoy participating in staff advocacy efforts,” she says. “Also, I feel it is important to support our Staff Assembly Council because it is an important resource for all staff members.”

Dohee says that she will seek to further elevate the visibility of Staff Assembly Council across ANR to increase participation in the programs that enhance professional development and work experiences for employees.

A community education specialist at UC Cooperative Extension Yolo County in Woodland, Monica says she enjoys her work in community development and appreciates the team around her – including her supportive supervisors.

She decided to get involved with Staff Assembly Council because she wants to help ensure all ANR employees have a positive work environment. She sees potential areas of improvement in the working conditions for county-based staff, and seeks to be a part of the conversation.

“It is important to know you have a voice,” says Monica, who has been with ANR for over three years. “SAC helps connect all staff members around the state and binds the connection to UC ANR.”

Monica would also like to see more employees take advantage of the opportunities afforded by Staff Assembly.

“The UC ANR Grow and Wellness reimbursement programs are such fun programs and I hope we can expand these offerings and include more,” Monica explains. “I also hope that we can host great sessions at the UC ANR statewide conference in April 2023.”

As senior public information representative, Mike says he is fortunate to get to know ANR employees across the state. And although he has only been with ANR for about a year, he already has met many phenomenal people throughout the organization.

“There are just so many amazing people at ANR who are passionate about everything they do to fulfill our mission,” Mike explains. “Even with all the challenges that California is facing right now, it gives me great hope to know that incredibly smart and genuinely kind people are working every day on sensible solutions.”

In addition to telling and sharing the story of that work, Mike says that serving on Staff Assembly Council is another way he hopes to support his colleagues. As Communications Chair, Mike wants to ensure that all staff at ANR are aware of the programs and opportunities SAC helps make possible.

“Just as ANR does for Californians, these Staff Assembly Council programs can make your life better – at work, in your career and on the home front,” Mike says.

And because SAC aims to represent and advocate on behalf of staff, Mike encourages any employee to contact him or other SAC members with their thoughts, suggestions and concerns.

A founding member of UC ANR Staff Assembly Council since its inception in 2015, Nikolai has been integral to the growth and success of Staff Assembly. He has served as Chair, Past Chair, Vice Chair and Wellness Chair and currently holds the title of Program Chair and Ex-Officio Chair.

In his capacity as agricultural supervisor at Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center in Browns Valley, Nikolai helps to cultivate “a full-service California rangeland research system for climate change, water quality, invasive weed and veterinary solutions.” An ANR employee for 16 years, Nikolai says he’s motivated by his passion for natural resources management and the camaraderie he enjoys with his colleagues at SFREC.

Nikolai’s desire to support and encourage his peers inspired him to serve on Staff Assembly Council. Toward that end, he has worked to spread wellness awareness, traveled across the state to share Staff Assembly’s mission and advanced the Educational Reimbursement Program.

Nikolai says he hopes to continue to raise awareness of staff services, wellness activities and opportunities for employees to serve as Staff Assembly Ambassadors. In particular, he strives to ensure staff voices are being heard and acted upon – and urges his ANR colleagues to take an active role in the organization and community.

“Be in command of your own destiny and career, expand your job responsibilities, and involve yourself in community activities,” he says.

As proposal development coordinator for the Office of Contracts and Grants, Vanity is energized by contributing to UC ANR’s crucial research and extension efforts.

“I’m passionate about serving our academics in support of ANR’s mission, and in doing so, help communicate and advocate for translating grand, transformational ideas into real-world societal benefits,” said Vanity, who joined ANR in 2016. “There is nothing better!”

That passion for making a positive impact in her community is also reflected in Vanity’s role on the Staff Assembly’s Wellness Committee, which launched in 2019. She served as its chair in 2020-21, and continues to serve as a member today.

“I am grateful to have a role in this work and develop efforts that have a direct impact on our organization’s culture,” she said, “fostering healthy workplace environments, empowering employees to adopt healthy habits, and strengthening a sense of community among all staff.”

This year, Vanity is also serving as Ambassador Chair (alongside Shirley Salado), as well as Senior Delegate to CUCSA (Council of University of California Staff Assemblies).

In every capacity, Vanity focuses on making UC ANR “the best place to work, learn and live” – and encourages her colleagues to join that effort.

“We are all members of ANR’s Staff Assembly,” she said. “We should all feel empowered to make a difference in our workplace, and Staff Assembly provides a meaningful way to do so.”

If you ask Shirley whether she has more passion for the mission of UC ANR or for the people, she will probably say they are both at the top.

“ANR encompasses who I am: nutrition, food preservation, 4-H and gardening,” says Shirley, a community education supervisor for UC Cooperative Extension in San Diego County. “I believe in the mission of ANR – this is who I am.”

Shirley, who has been with ANR for 11 years, says she has been impressed by the professionalism and quality of Staff Assembly Council members, and she hopes to help the team by making more employees aware of what Staff Assembly Ambassadors can offer.

“My goal is to ensure all staff know where to go to share what’s on their minds,” says Shirley, who served as an Ambassador at her local office before stepping into the Ambassador Chair position this year, alongside Vanity Campbell. “We all need a wing-person we can tell our concerns.”

She says she will emphasize with staff that their voices and opinions do matter – in Staff Assembly and across ANR.

“In my current role, I want to continue to network and give all staff the opportunity to speak and be heard,” Shirley explains. “Happy employees, Happy UC ANR!”

For Rosa, serving as Educational Reimbursement Chair is a way to give back to the community that has enriched her own path of learning over her three-plus years with UC ANR.

“ANR has offered so many professional development opportunities to support the advancement in my career with ANR,” says Rosa, who is a regional community education manager for CalFresh Healthy Living UC, serving San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles and Riverside counties.

Jerry Harris, her former colleague at the UC Cooperative Extension office in SLO and former Educational Reimbursement Chair, shared with Rosa the details about Staff Assembly Council and this chair position, which sparked Rosa’s interest in getting involved.

Rosa says she hopes to make more ANR employees aware of the educational reimbursement opportunities available to them.

“I encourage all ANR staff to take advantage of programs provided by Staff Assembly,” she says.

Staff Assembly Council

Scott Brayton
Chair & Treasurer
Interim Wellness Committee Chair

Major Gifts Officer
Davis
sabrayton@ucanr.edu
530-979-1739

Dohee Kim
Vice Chair

Director of Media Outreach and Advocacy Liaison
Alhambra
deekim@ucanr.edu
626-586-1974

Monica Drazba
Scribe

Nutrition Educator
Woodland
mcdrazba@ucanr.edu
530-666-8702

Mike Hsu
Communications Chair

Senior Public Information Representative
Davis
mjhsu@ucanr.edu 
530-304-0923

Nikolai Schweitzer
Program Chair & Ex-Officio Chair

Agricultural Supervisor
Browns Valley
nschweitzer@ucanr.edu
530-639-8813

Vanity Campbell
Ambassadors Co-Chair & Senior CUCSA Delegate

Proposal Development Coordinator
Davis
vcampbell@ucanr.edu
530-750-1329

Shirley Salado
Ambassadors Co-Chair

Community Education Supervisor
San Diego
scsalado@ucanr.edu
858-822-7724

Rosa Vargas
Educational Reimbursement Chair

Regional Community Education Manager
San Luis Obispo
rivargas@ucanr.edu

Marvin Flores
Past Chair

Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
Parlier
559-646-6013
marvinflores@ucanr.edu