Donna Birch Trahan

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 for the office of communications (now known as University Communications). Since late 2011, I have served as the campus's internal communications coordinator. In my role, I 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 messaging; distribution of higher-level communications through the UC Merced Announcements email; content review of websites and written publications; developing or suggesting communications plans for initiatives. I am also editor of Panorama, University Communications’ electronic newsletter for faculty and staff. 

Prior to joining the university, I was a print journalist for The Modesto Bee for nearly 14 years and covered everything from health care and feature stories to general assignment and crime.

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 currently serve as Co-chair of Communications for Staff Assembly.
Committee membership:
• Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Campus Climate, Culture and Inclusion (since 2014)
• UC Merced Sustainability committee (2009-2010)
• Smoke- and Tobacco-Free Steering committee (charged with implementing the systemwide smoke- and tobacco-free policy that went into effect Jan. 1, 2014)

Volunteerism:
• Commencement

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:

Co-chair of Communications for Staff Assembly and a member of the executive board, I have assisted the organization with its communication needs and campaigns. I have assisted in creating communications plans for the organization's initiatives, attended monthly board meetings, managed the Staff Assembly email account and assisted in the maintenance of the Staff Assembly website. 
Before I was elected co-chair for communications, I was already working closely with Staff Assembly’s executive board to report and promote the organization’s news, events and initiatives. My role as internal communications coordinator has led me to naturally 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?

Being on the board and having that knowledge of planned and coming news and events has helped me stay abreast of news and information of significance to staff. I believe that my expertise in communications has helped SA leadership in their planning and in thinking more broadly about communications. My time with Staff Assembly has been productive, but I still have some goals I would like to accomplish, which I believe with strengthen the organization and will lay groundwork for future communications co-chairs who will follow. 
I’m thrilled to be part of UC Merced, and I firmly believe in the campus’s goal to increase educational attainment in the San Joaquin valley. This campus is doing that while serving as an economic engine in one of the nation’s most economically-challenged communities. This institution in making a difference not only in students’ lives, but staff members lives, too. I want to continue to promoting the good work of our staff members and give them a voice regarding matters of importance at UC Merced.