Miguel Lopez

Executive Board PositionFinance Officer Elect (two year term)

Full Name (First and Last Name)Miguel Lopez

Current Position TitleCommunity Relations Representative

Current DepartmentGovernmental and Community Relations

Years of service with UC Merced0.75

Years of service with UC0.75

Provide a brief history of your work experience, beginning with your present position

I currently work in the Office of Governmental and Community Relations. This entails representing UC Merced in local functions, connecting the community with the correct channels within UC Merced and vice versa. I also provide support for the office (purchasing, tracking our budget, scheduling, orders, etc.).

I worked as a budget analyst for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. I coordinated and provided the central control point for the preparation and monitoring of division budgets under my responsibility. I reviewed department contracts for proper account classification and fund availability, and provided a variety of budget information and assistance to program managers.

I served as a Capital Fellow within the CSUS Center for California Studies: Capital Fellows Program. I worked as a full time assistant within the executive office of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. I wrote bill analyses, learned about bill tracking, assisted the Office of Farm to Fork, and conducted background research for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Legislation.

List any UC, committee, community service, or other major volunteer commitments, including the name of the organization and your role (especially leadership roles) therein:

I am currently the Vice Chair of the Independent Districting Advisory Committee for the City of Merced. We are tasked with deciding two city council district maps, of which one will be selected by the city council. Currently my commitment to this responsibility is attending meetings twice a month and attending events for outreach when needed. We will be completed with the process by January 1st.

I serve as a Board Member to the UC Merced Alumni Association Board. We meet quarterly. We essentially engage with our fellow alumni and students, help with fundraising efforts, and attend chapter events.

In the past year, how have you played an active role in Staff Assembly? This can include committee work, participating in events, or attendance at Executive Board meetings:

I have participated in past events hosted by the Staff Assembly, this includes meetings, coffee networking events, attending SAW meetings, and participating at events in this year's SAW.

If you are selected to fill this role, what do you feel would be your contribution to the University of California, Merced, staff, and the Executive Board? How have your past experiences given you the knowledge and skills to provide this contribution

I feel that my past experiences have given me a solid understanding of what a budget consists of, what sound budgeting practices are, and how to best plan ahead. I believe that this solid grounding places me in a good position to learn from the Finance Officer on the fiscal practices of the Staff Assembly. I have served in past leadership positions as President of the Associated Students of UC Merced and as Chapter Chair of the UC Merced Alumni Association Sacramento Chapter. These roles provided me experience and lessons in leadership and collaboration. I would bring these attributes to the role of Finance Officer-Elect. In addition, as an alumni working on campus, I believe that I would bring a different perspective onto the Executive Board.

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