Nominations are being accepted until noon on July 11 to fill two vacancies on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Council.

Earlier this year, Vice President Glenda Humiston convened the DEI Advisory Council to support efforts that UC ANR staff and academics have undertaken to improve quality of life for marginalized populations living in California. Diversity is one of our core values and developing an equitable and inclusive society is one of our public values.

Nominate yourself, a colleague, a direct report or other UC ANR staff or academic member. 

Prior to completing the nomination, please confirm the nominee's interest in participating in the Council. Review member expectations and the Council's Mission Statement and Vision at https://ucanr.edu/sites/PSU/files/358281.pdf.

Membership criteria:

• Experience and/or interest in advocating for change and moving forward DEI work.  
• Experience and/or interest in navigating/negotiating for organizational change in UC ANR.  
• Membership aims to represent the diversity of the UC ANR community and state of California, specifically including representation of marginalized racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation and ability groups.  
• Membership includes a mix of staff and academics, represents a cross-section of UC ANR offices and programs, and geographical distribution (north/south, urban/rural).  

For more information, contact Keith Nathaniel at kcnathaniel@ucanr.edu or Jairo Diaz at jdiazr@ucanr.edu.

Effective Friday, July 1, 2022:

• The reimbursement rate for the use of private automobiles for University business travel will increase from 58.5 cents per mile to 62.5 cents per mile.
• The reimbursement rate for driving an automobile in connection with a move or relocation will increase from 18 cents per mile to 22 cents per mile.

The new Mileage Log form can be found on the Travel & Entertainment Forms webpage. 

On the website, you will also find the Mileage Log form with the previous rates, which should be used for travel through Thursday, June 30, 2022.

Illustration by Surendra Dara

UC ANR celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May with virtual discussions of Asian Americans in agriculture. To view recordings of the webinars, visit the Learning and Development diversity website.

On May 25, Kristyn Leach, a Korean American farmer in Yolo County, shared her personal story of activism for food and environmental justice, as well as her passion for nurturing connections between Asian American communities and the unique crops and foodways that are deeply rooted in their heritage.

Leach also discussed Second Generation Seeds, a collective of Asian American growers dedicated to offering heirloom seeds and resources that help communities of the Asian diaspora reclaim and revitalize their diverse food cultures. 

On May 31, UC Cooperative Extension small farms advisors Ruth Dahlquist-Willard, Margaret Lloyd, Aparna Gazula and Hung Doan discussed how they help Asian American small farmers overcome language barriers.

The small farms team serving Asian American farmers includes:

• Margaret Lloyd, Pang Kue and Fam Fin Lee, Capitol Corridor
• Vong Moua, Stanislaus County
• Ruth Dahlquist-Willard, Michael Yang and Lilian Thaoxaochay, Fresno County
• Aparna Gazula, Xuewen Feng and Qi Zhou, Santa Clara County
• Hung Doan, Riverside County

They serve Hmong, Mien, Chinese and Korean American farmers in California. When the pandemic struck, the small farms team helped Asian American farmers quickly comply with COVID-19 policies and adapt to new market conditions.

They are currently assisting Asian American farmers to adapt to climate change, access grants and other resources, and identify more ways to remain competitive and sustainable. The researchers also educate policymakers about issues affecting Asian American farmers to shape policy that is more practical.

Jake McGuire is retiring after 22 years of service to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Jake McGuire

McGuire joined UC ANR as its first controller in 2000. The controller function was added during a reorganization phase as a UCOP entity, endorsed by the UC Regents, intended to strengthen accountability and control at each campus, and within the Office of the President.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Jake over the years, and I will always be grateful to him for taking on new responsibilities and important projects,” said Tu Tran, UC ANR's associate vice president for business operations.

Through engagement at UC Office of the President, McGuire forged strategic relationships and successfully advocated for equitable treatment of, and resources for, ANR in an effort to better define ANR on par with campuses. He helped implement the UCPath Project Management Office to advance UC ANR's interests and position UC ANR as a single unified business unit in UCPath. 

As Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer for ANR, McGuire advanced UC ANR's compliance program to be on par with campuses systemwide. He advanced ANR's Risk Management program in concert with Systemwide Enterprise Risk Management and campus-based programs.

McGuire also worked with UCOP Office of General Counsel to successfully manage ANR's litigation and legal matters with minimal cost-impact and legal exposure to ANR.

“There is no doubt that Jake's retirement is well-deserved, though we will definitely miss his resourceful leadership,” Tran said.

Jing Yu will be serving as interim controller during the search for a new controller.