Thread by @CorsIAQ

Unsung Heroes of Academia

In academia we talk a lot about, and celebrate, the successes of students and faculty, and we should. IMO we do not talk enough about or celebrate the tremendous contributions of staff, the gears that keep the academic machine running hour to hour. 1/

They advise prospective students, help guide & encourage current students, support advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion, help faculty and students with a wide range of teaching and research activities, maintain and upgrade IT, clean and ... 2/

fix infrastructure, balance books, clean and fix infrastructure, and so much more. 3/

As a faculty member, department chair, and college dean I have witnessed the relentless efforts of staff on behalf of others as well as their innovation with respect to problem solving. 4/

I have also seen the adverse impact on academic ecosystems when staff are underappreciated or furloughed one day a week because of challenging budgets. In these cases staff are adversely impacted, but so are faculty and students. The entire ecosystem begins to unravel. 5/

Academic ecosystems are more resilient when staff are engaged, empowered, recognized, respected, and celebrated for their many important contributions. 6/

I was recently discussing these issues with a new colleague @ucdavis. He referred me to a wonderful quote by Mark Cianca, Interim VP/CIO and Associate VP of Operational Services at the University of California Office of the President. Worth a read & frequent reminder. 7/

“A university that has only faculty and staff is a think tank.
A university that has only staff and students is a summer camp.
And a university that only has faculty and students is chaos.
You need all three to have a university.”