Honoring Veterans and Their Contributions to Our Community
As we approach Veterans Day on Nov. 11, allow us to express heartfelt gratitude to our employee veterans across UC Davis and UC Davis Health!
We are grateful for their service and for their families and loved ones who supported them while they served our country.
As a veteran myself, I know how life-changing and meaningful military service can be. It creates opportunities and forges life-long relationships. For me, joining the military straight out of high school was terrifying but it also helped me afford college and taught me things about life and leadership that I carry to this day.
When people from all different walks of life come together to embrace their different experiences, perspectives, and strengths they are able to accomplish far more than any one of us could alone. That same spirit exists across UC Davis and UC Davis Health, and so I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the hundreds of veterans who work here and contribute every day to our mission in research, teaching, health care and public service. Their military service is only one part of who they are, and I for one am grateful they chose to continue their career here making a difference for our organization and the communities we serve.
No two veterans have quite the same story. Military service can open doors, build lifelong connections and bring challenges that aren’t always visible to others. Understanding those experiences is an important part of creating a workplace where we all feel valued and supported.
The next Race Matters session, Beyond the Uniform: The Veteran Experience at UC Davis and UC Davis Health, will celebrate our employee veterans and it offers a great opportunity for anyone to learn more. It’s scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. The keynote will be José Roa, chair of the Veterans Faculty and Staff Association at UC Davis, and Gregory Stanford, vice chair of the Veterans Employee Association at UC Davis Health. They'll share perspectives on the veteran experience, workforce data, and ways we can all better support our veteran colleagues. You can register and join the conversation here.
Gregory once reflected that Veterans Day is both “a day of gratitude and a day of service.” That spirit is reflected in our commitment at UC Davis to helping veterans find meaningful career opportunities, grow professionally, and feel supported. I encourage all veterans and allies to connect with our veteran employee groups. And I also encourage our veterans to self-identify in UCPath so we can better understand who you are and how we can best support you.
In closing, thank you once again for your service and for everything you continue to contribute to our community and the world. Please know that you are admired, respected, and valued, and your fellow veterans, including me, are rooting for you every day!.
With deep admiration and gratitude,
Tammy Kenber
Chief Human Resources Officer
Veteran resources
- Veterans Faculty and Staff Association (VFSA): Connect with veterans, military-connected colleagues and allies on the Davis campus.
- Veterans Employee Association (VEA): Find community, advocacy and support at UC Davis Health.
- Veteran employment and self-identification resources: Explore career opportunities and information about veteran self-identification in UCPath..
- Veterans' education benefits: Explore continuing education opportunities through UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education.
- Academic and Staff Assistance Program (ASAP): Access confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
- Race Matters: Beyond the Uniform: Register for the Nov. 10 discussion about veteran experiences at UC Davis and UC Davis Health