Executive Board Position
Finance Officer
Full Name (First and Last Name)
Donna Birch Trahan
Contact Phone
209-228-4647
Current Position Title
Internal Communications Coordinator
Current Department
University Communications
Years of service with UC Merced
8.25
Years of service with UC
8.25
Provide a brief history of your work experience, beginning with your present position:
I joined UC Merced in November 2008 as a public information officer University Communications and have served as internal communications coordinator since 2011. My role is to assist administrative units and departments with their communications needs, which are aimed primarily at the campus’s staff and faculty. My responsibilities include assisting clients with their writing and editing requests; crafting and/or refining messages; distribution of communications through the various channels; content review of websites and written publications; developing or suggesting communications plans for initiatives. I also serve as editor of Panorama, UC Merced’s electronic newsletter for faculty and staff. Prior to joining the university, I was a reporter for The Modesto Bee for nearly 14 years.
List any UC, committee, community service, or other major volunteer commitments, including the name of the organization and your role (especially leadership roles) therein:
Committee membership:
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Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Campus Climate, Culture and Inclusion (2014-2016)
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UC Merced Sustainability committee (2009-2010)
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Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Steering committee (charged with implementing the systemwide smoke- and tobacco-free policy that went into effect Jan. 1, 2014)
Volunteerism:
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Chancellor’s Holiday Toy Drive
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Commencement
- Move-in Day
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:
For the past two years, I have served as Staff Assembly’s co-chair for communications to report on and promote the organization’s news, events and initiatives. In that time, I have been highly involved in the organization and its efforts.
In addition to coordinating, writing and distributing messages and announcements on the group’s behalf, I also monitored the Staff Assembly email account and worked with my co-chair to maintain and update the Staff Assembly website. I also participated in New Employee Orientation to promote Staff Assembly to the university’s new employees.
In my two years on the board, I’ve attended probably all but one or two meetings and have volunteered for most, if not all, Staff Assembly events. My role as internal communications coordinator has led me to work with Staff Assembly as the organization represents one of the campus’s significant constituencies: staff members.
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?
Even before I joined Staff Assembly as an executive board member, I had already been working closely with the group through my position in University Communications. I have seen up close the many ways the organization works as an advocate for staff members and provide this important constituency with a voice.
I believe that my past experience with Staff Assembly and knowledge of its inner workings makes me an ideal candidate to serve as the organization’s Finance Officer and to be a responsible steward of the group’s resources.
I joined UC Merced nearly a decade ago, and I firmly believe in the campus’s goal to serve as an economic engine in one of the nation’s most economically challenged regions while increasing educational attainment in the San Joaquin valley. This institution is making a difference not only in students’ lives, but in staff members lives, too. I hope to continue to help serve our campus and its staff members through the important work and actions of Staff Assembly.
