This unified system streamlined operations, improved service quality, and reduced the backlog of researcher requests, providing faster, more efficient access to essential computational resources.

By developing a sustainable buy-in model for storage, Charles helped researchers avoid the need to maintain their own systems—allowing them to rent storage through a centralized, cost-effective approach. This not only improved accessibility, but also promoted smarter use of campus resources.

Charles’s vision for HIVE wasn’t about reinventing the plan—it was about making it happen. The idea to unify campus computing under a single system had been discussed for years, but previous efforts struggled to gain traction. With his deep technical background and ability to see challenges from all angles, Charles stepped into the role at the right time to move the project forward. He combined strategic insight with hands-on expertise, building trust across departments and generating the momentum needed to turn a long-standing goal into a successful, campus-wide solution—one that positions UC Davis for long-term research excellence.

When Charles took charge, his transparent and collaborative leadership helped rebuild trust and boost morale among the HPC team. As one nominator, Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra, noted, “Charles is incredibly well-respected by both peers and his team alike. He is not only responsive to feedback from supervisors, but openly requests it, clearly striving to do his job as best he can.” By establishing open communication practices like regular stand-ups and feedback loops, Charles created a more cohesive, motivated team—an essential foundation for the successful launch of HIVE.

For Charles, technical leadership is like solving a puzzle—bringing together the right people and tools to make things work. With experience across all levels of IT, he sees challenges from every angle. One of his proudest accomplishments is building the trust needed to move toward a shared cluster—something that initially faced resistance. He helped shift the narrative and deliver an enterprise-class solution that transformed how UC Davis approaches high-performance computing.

“Working for HPC has given me the chance to work with a team of hugely talented individuals. All I did was point them in the right direction and watched them do amazing things. This award is validation that the direction was indeed the right one.” – Charles Bookman

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Her skills were put to the test during CVET’s inaugural deployment to the Park Fire in Butte County, where she played a critical role in inventory oversight, volunteer coordination, and hands-on veterinary care.

“Kim led the oversight of all veterinary supplies we needed to treat burned and injured animals from the fire,” her nominator wrote. “She made necessary contacts, opened accounts for ease of ordering, collaborated with university personnel, and single-handedly managed the onboarding process of volunteers—all while serving as a veterinary technician and maintaining a contagiously positive attitude.”

For Kimberly, the work is personal. After graduating from UC Davis and spending five years at Livestock Medicine and Surgery Service at the UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital, she felt a calling to step further into the animal disaster space.

“Caring for livestock that were directly injured or impacted by wildfires brought me close to the individuals who owned them, many of whom had lost everything,” she said. “Being able to give them peace of mind that their beloved animals would be taken care of inspired me to apply to CVET.”

Among her proudest accomplishments is CVET’s first full deployment to the Park Fire and also contributing to the dramatic transformation of the team’s mobile medical platforms—from nearly empty trailers to fully stocked, deployable veterinary hospitals. The team has also outlined treatment and care guidelines, assisted in providing resources and trainings to animal responders in the entire state, and further increased their relationships with organizations throughout California and the country.

In addition to disaster response, Kimberly provides veterinary care to rural communities, volunteers at UC Davis veterinary school panels, and stays connected to the Teaching Hospital, often picking up shifts when there is a need for personnel. She’s also an active member of the One Health Institute’s Community Working Group, where she helps plan events for the office.

Receiving the award was an unexpected but meaningful moment for Kimberly. “For me, it does not matter if I’m recognized, I care more that the work is getting completed and getting completed well. I am so immensely grateful to be part of a team that sees my work and feels I deserve an even higher recognition.”

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These students include first-generation college students, low-income students, former and current foster youth, and those impacted by the justice system.

“I provide mental, emotional and social support to students, and I help them deal with the things that impact their ability to be here on campus or to achieve the level of success they want,” he says. “I sit with people in a nonjudgmental, compassionate, empathetic way and hear their stories and then help them rewrite their future chapters.”

Jon’s approach is deeply personal. Having experienced significant challenges in his own life, he was drawn to the mental health field by a desire to offer the kind of support he once wished he had. Now, he helps students navigate the complicated transition from adolescence to adulthood—all while managing the demands of a top-tier research university.

“The part I like most about this job is just getting to know the students. They're some of the best students in the world,” he says. “Meeting them where they are and being among them in their spaces is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.”

One of Jon’s proudest accomplishments is the creation of “BLERD Out”—short for “Black Nerds Out”—a program that celebrates the intersections of Black identity and nerd culture. Students gather to share their love of anime, Dungeons & Dragons, and video games in a space that affirms every part of who they are.

“When students told me they didn’t feel like they could bring their whole selves into any one space, we created a new space,” Jon explains. “We geek out, we nerd out, while talking about, well, how do these interests help me? Seeing students come in and take over the space and just be themselves and accept so many other people has been amazing.”

Looking ahead, Jon is developing two new initiatives: a seminar course for students facing academic challenges and a therapy group called “Dungeons & Therapy.” The course, created in collaboration with Counseling Services, African American and African Studies, Academic Assistance and Tutoring Centers (AATC) and CADSS, will focus on building skills and resilience, showing students that academic setbacks don’t define them. The D&D-based therapy group will use storytelling and roleplay to help students develop social skills and navigate depression, anxiety and interpersonal growth.

“I really love this work,” Jon says. “I've worked in a variety of different places and UC Davis has been the highlight because of the students I get to serve and see and connect with. All of those other experiences have been preparing me to be here where I'm at now, and I really love it.”

Receiving the award brought Jon to tears. “It means what I’m doing is seen and valued. It feels good knowing my contributions to our community are appreciated,” he says. “I don’t want to stop. I want to be here until I retire.”

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Her work helps break down stigma and empowers students to seek help in spaces where they feel understood and seen.

“I get to work with students from all backgrounds, and the most rewarding part is when current clients refer their friends because they trust I’ll take good care of them,” Tatum says. “It really is my dream job.”

Tatum focuses on breaking down stigma associated with accessing mental health resources, taking the time to foster relationships with students outside of an office. “Part of my job is to go to the community to build more visibility and partnerships,” she says. “A lot of my work is attending events, leading outreach efforts, hosting presentations and workshops, and being embedded in spaces where students already feel comfortable.”

As part of her student-centered approach, Tatum organizes events that encourage connection and community. She helped facilitate the launch of Asian and Pacific Islander Community Care events that combine food, connection, and wellness resources in one space. One event saw over 150 students in attendance.

Tatum is also an active member of several initiatives that promote belonging on campus. She participates in the Asian Pacific American Systemwide Alliance (APASA) and serves on the Cross-Cultural Committee within Student Health and Counseling Services, where she helps plan workshops and discussions to continue learning how to best serve students. “Our student population is constantly evolving, and we need to stay informed and responsive.”

Her nominators describe her as a connector—someone who brings people together, promotes dialogue, and helps colleagues and students alike feel empowered. Through collaborations with departments across campus, from Aggie Compass to the Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (OSSJA), Tatum embodies the UC Davis spirit of community care.

On receiving the award, Tatum said, “It means a lot to feel seen and valued by my supervisors and peers. I’m so appreciative of everyone who’s mentored me and supported me on this path.”

Working in the Supportive Medicine Clinic, Sarah collaborates closely with a small, multidisciplinary team to provide deeply personalized care for patients with advanced cancer. She supports individuals and families in understanding their diagnosis, coping with treatment, and planning for future care needs–conversations that are often emotional, but always human. “It’s a privilege and an honor to talk with people at such a vulnerable stage in their life,” she shared.

Sarah was instrumental in developing “Caregivers Corner,” a new support program for family members of cancer patients. The initiative offers a space for caregivers to connect, share experiences, and find community in their roles. "People really gain so much from just being able to talk to someone who truly understands and has been in their shoes," she said.

Sarah’s influence also extends to systemic improvements. Noticing that the advance directive forms used in her department were confusing and difficult for patients to complete, she led a redesign to make them more readable and accessible–ensuring that important care planning doesn’t get lost in legalese. “When something is written in a clearer, simpler way, it’s easier for patients who are already in an uncertain and stressful time,” she explained.

Her colleagues describe her as someone who doesn’t just identify problems–she brings people together to solve them. Whether guiding patients through palliative care options or improving workflows for her department, Sarah’s work is grounded in empathy, trust, and teamwork. “Anyone doing this type of work knows that it takes a village,” she says.

When asked about receiving the Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Award, Sarah admitted she read the notification email three times–“It came on April 1, so I wasn’t sure it was real!” she laughed. But the recognition has meant a great deal. “As a social worker, our contributions can sometimes go unseen. To feel that the work I do is seen and appreciated by my colleagues–it means the world to me.”

Outside of work, Sarah finds joy in hiking, running, and spending time with her husband and two teenage sons. She lives in Northern California with her family–and a beloved cat.

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“No two research studies are ever the same,” she explained. “There’s always troubleshooting involved–but that’s where the learning happens.”

Christine plays a critical role in guiding research faculty through startup processes, managing teams of clinical research coordinators, and building a robust pipeline for student researchers. Recently, she helped bring industry trial start-up processes in-house–an initiative that has allowed the department to operate more nimbly, negotiate stronger contracts, and better support clinical research teams.

Her colleagues describe her as a go-to resource for nearly everything related to research administration, and Christine sees that trust as both a challenge and a point of pride. “It’s a big job, but I’m grateful that people know they can come to me,” she said. “We’ve created a lot of shared resources so staff and faculty can quickly access critical information. If I can help someone find what they need faster, that’s a win.”

Christine is also known for her dedication to mentoring. Over the years, she has helped countless students and junior staff develop their skills and grow their careers–many of whom have gone on to medical school, public health programs, or leadership roles elsewhere within UC Davis. “Supporting our team’s education and career goals is one of the best parts of my job,” she shared. “It’s so rewarding to see them thrive–and even more rewarding when I get to work with them again in a new capacity.”

Looking ahead, Christine hopes to continue expanding her team’s capacity and strengthening the department’s industry and NIH-funded research. Her efforts are already shaping a more connected, sustainable research enterprise–one built on mutual trust, shared knowledge, and growth.

When asked what the Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Award means to her, Christine was quick to shift the spotlight. “I see this recognition not as just an individual achievement–it’s a celebration of our entire pediatric research enterprise, leadership, clinical research coordinators and stakeholders. I’m incredibly proud of our team and what we’ve accomplished together.”

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Shelly joined UC Davis Health in 2008 and stepped into a supervisor role in 2017, first in Auburn and later transitioning to Carmichael. Along the way, she’s made the most of UC Davis’ professional development resources, enrolling in management training programs she hadn’t previously known existed. “When I came to Carmichael, I realized how many resources I’d been missing,” she said. “It really helped me grow.”

That growth has translated into leadership that is both hands-on and highly relational. Shelly can often be found out on the clinic floor, working side-by-side with her team. “I’m not someone who stays in the office all day,” she said. “Being present helps me stay connected to patients, earn respect from my team, and understand what support they really need.”

In 2024, Shelly took on an added challenge by temporarily supervising the Rancho Cordova clinic during a leadership transition, all while continuing to manage her team at Carmichael. For a full year, she split her time between the two locations, stabilizing operations, mentoring staff, and implementing process improvements–such as gaining system access to CAIRES, Dignity, and Quest, which improved turnaround times for retrieving patient data.

When Rancho experienced staffing shortages, Shelly created a rotating coverage schedule using team members from Carmichael. “Every six weeks, a staff member would go over to Rancho to help,” she explained. “It was a way to support them without burning anyone out.” She also introduced safety initiatives like the Shoes for Crews anti-slip program–small changes that made a big difference in morale and workflow.

Beyond managing two clinics, Shelly still makes time to keep recognition front and center. She regularly presents Kudos Best awards at monthly staff meetings and organizes team-building activities to build camaraderie. “Recognition goes a long way,” she said. “It’s important that people feel seen and appreciated.”

Outside of work, Shelly enjoys gardening—she’s recently planted tomatoes—and participates in a Thursday night bowling league with friends.

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Michelle began her UC Davis Health journey in 1998 as a bedside nurse in pediatric critical care. Today, she oversees nursing education for UC Davis Children’s Hospital and all adult areas that care for children–an expansive role that reflects the integrated nature of pediatric care across the system.

But it’s her work leading the Support U Peer Responder Program that has made a truly transformational impact. Developed in 2009 after a young nurse came to Michelle overwhelmed by the trauma of pediatric emergency care, the program began with just 18 responders. It has since grown to over 1,200 trained peer responders–including nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, EVS staff, lift teams, hospital operators and more–offering confidential, compassionate support across the health system after traumatic or emotionally charged events.

“Our colleagues understand in a way no one else can,” Michelle explained. “It’s not about fixing. It’s about making sure no one feels isolated or unseen after something difficult happens.”

The program uses a trauma-informed approach grounded in psychological first aid. From code blues to workplace violence and litigation-related stress, Support U offers 1:1 outreach, group debriefings, and warm connections to resources like ASAP, Employee & Labor Relations, the Ombuds Office, and DEI support services. Michelle has also helped bring the program to UC campuses across the state and expanded it to include automatic referrals through the Candor and risk management pathways.

Michelle’s efforts have built a model of emotional care that’s being replicated nationwide, often referenced in conjunction with the “second victim” movement to support health care workers after adverse events. She credits her colleagues and leadership at UC Davis Health for making such a program possible. “It’s amazing to work at a place where an idea born at the bedside can grow into something that helps so many.”

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Nataly has been part of the UC Davis community since 2010, when she joined the institution through a joint master’s program in stem cell biology with Sacramento State. Since then, she’s grown alongside the field itself, moving from basic research to preclinical and now clinical applications. “It’s like carrying the Olympic torch,” she explained. “I get to be the last step, delivering these living therapies to patients–patients who have often run out of other options.”

In her role, Nataly coordinates with up to five departments at a time–ensuring that experimental cell products are correctly manufactured, transported, documented, and infused. These living drugs, often fragile and time-sensitive, require handling that only a trained cell biologist can perform. “Every trial is different. Some days I’m in the lab at the bench, and other days I’m doing regulatory paperwork or coaching teams through unfamiliar processes,” she said.

She’s also become a trusted bridge between research and frontline care. When new treatments are introduced to nursing units, Nataly proactively educates staff on how the therapy works, why protocols may be different, and how their care contributes to broader healing. “If people understand the science and the reason behind what we’re doing, they’re much more willing to support it,” she said.

Nataly’s work has helped bring UC Davis-developed therapies full circle–from concept to clinic–sometimes providing access to treatments for a fraction of the commercial cost. “We’ve had patients ask to take a photo with us when they receive their cells,” she said. “They know how much work it took to get to that moment.”

Beyond the bench, Nataly helped build the program itself from the ground up. Now, the lab is pursuing FACT accreditation, a distinction that will elevate its national standing and open doors to even more trials. The future, she says, is bright–and not just for oncology. “We’re now seeing cell therapies for autoimmune diseases, strokes, even diabetes. It’s expanding fast.”

When she received news of the Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Award, Nataly was stunned. “I read the email five times. I kept thinking, why me?” she laughed. “But it means a lot. The people I work with see the long hours, the attention to detail, and the work that happens behind the scenes to make sure everything just... works.”

Outside of work, Nataly recharges through movement–running, swimming, cycling, skiing. “It’s my reset,” she said. “You’ll never catch me watching TV. I’d rather be outside. It helps me stay sharp and bring my best for our patients.”