Lauded for leadership

For 15 years, the UC Irvine Staff Assembly Excellence in Leadership Awards have celebrated a simple but powerful truth: Great institutions are shaped not only by visionary ideas but by leaders who make people feel valued, supported and inspired every single day.

Established by UC Irvine Staff Assembly in partnership with Human Resources, the awards honor supervisors and managers whose leadership transforms the experiences of employees across both campus and UCI Health operations.

What began in 2011 as a recognition initiative has evolved into one of the university's most meaningful traditions. Over the years, the awards have become a reflection of the culture that UC Irvine strives to build.

Each year, five exceptional leaders are selected in the categories of collaboration, employee engagement, innovation, well-being support and overall excellence - the program's highest honor. Only those who report directly to a supervisor or manager may nominate him or her, ensuring that every nomination comes from individuals most affected by that leader's work. The winners are selected by a committee of Staff Assembly council members.

"A pleasant surprise that came from this year's cycle, in particular, is how many nominations we received for well-being support - one of our newer categories," says Nancy Arroyo, senior academic personnel analyst and Staff Assembly vice chair. "We are constantly in a state of change on campus, and that can be difficult to navigate. ​​It's an opportunity for a good leader to step up and help their team feel connected to their purpose, feel seen and supported in their individual needs."

Representing leadership at its finest, the following award recipients were recognized on stage at the Bren Events Center on Tuesday, June 16.

The Excellence in Leadership Award for collaboration was presented to Mary Gillis, director of honors advising for the Campuswide Honors Collegium within the Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning. Her nomination described collaboration not simply as a professional skill but as the foundation of her leadership philosophy.

It noted that Gillis has built meaningful partnerships across campus, connecting advising staff, academic programs and student support services in ways that improve both efficiency and student success. As her nominators expressed: "Mary models inclusive decision-making by ensuring all relevant voices are heard and tailoring her approach to each team member's unique strengths and needs. Over her tenure with the Campuswide Honors Collegium, she has built a culture of collaboration that produces lasting, measurable results."

The employee engagement award recognized Teresa Martinez Gonzalez, ambulatory practice manager at UCI Health. Managing two busy clinics and 27 staff members could easily become an exercise in logistics and deadlines, yet Martinez Gonzalez has transformed leadership into something deeply human.

Her nominators described handwritten birthday cards, thoughtful recognition programs, monthly employee spotlights and weekly updates that keep teams informed, connected and motivated. Martinez Gonzalez's nomination captured her impact: "Teresa does not simply manage teams - she builds them. Employees feel seen, empowered and genuinely excited to contribute."

The innovation award was presented to Jennifer Nelson Martinez, senior director of graduate and family housing. Nelson Martinez's leadership stood out because of her ability to merge innovation with compassion.

Her work has introduced transformative ideas that enhance operations and strengthen community life for graduate students and staff alike. From leading AI initiatives and implementing new communication tools to creating collaborative programs such as the Family Resource Center and Zot Exchange, Nelson Martinez looks for ways to improve systems while supporting the people behind them.

What distinguished her nomination was the balance she strikes between technological advancement and personal well-being. Her nominators wrote: "Jennifer doesn't just talk about well-being; she role-models it. She willingly steps in to provide coverage and support so that her direct reports can prioritize their health and care for themselves and their loved ones. Her commitment has created a foundation of trust and support that enables the team to thrive both personally and professionally."

The well-being support award honored Alisa Rubalcaba, director of administration for the Police Department's Division of Finance & Administration; and Jennifer Gerson, director of graduate studies in the School of Social Sciences.

Over the past year, Rubalcaba championed initiatives that have created healthier, more supportive work environments, including dedicated lactation and meditation spaces and wellness rooms for stretching, yoga and exercise.

Beyond the initiatives themselves, her leadership promotes a culture where employees feel genuinely cared for. As her nomination stated: "By creating supportive spaces, encouraging healthy habits and fostering team connection, Alisa has made a lasting, positive impact on the well-being of her team."

Gerson's nominators said that she embodies well-being support not as a policy but as a practice. "She leads with empathy, intelligence and integrity," they wrote.

The highest recognition went to Jaime Potter, associate athletic director of sports performance for Intercollegiate Athletics. The overall excellence award commends an individual who demonstrates extraordinary strength across all four leadership competencies, and Potter's nomination painted the picture of someone who elevates every person and system around her. She was described as a leader who balances high standards with genuine compassion, building systems that are both effective and sustainable.

In addition to the leadership honors, Jill Halvaks received the outstanding retiree award, recognizing a lifelong commitment to the university community. From arriving at UC Irvine as a freshman in 1976 to dedicating more than three decades to Student Life & Leadership, Halvaks' connection to the campus has never faded. And though she retired in 2013, she's still serving her alma mater, currently as president of the UCI Retirees Association, championing programs, engagement opportunities and support systems for her peers. Her colleagues described her as "the quintessential UCI Anteater" and "a people magnet" whose generosity and commitment continue to shape the university community.

In honoring these individuals, UC Irvine sends a larger message: Leadership is not measured only by results but by the positive and lasting impact made on people.

"All of that comes back to make UC Irvine a better environment for everyone involved, because a lot of these employees or supervisors are working in areas that impact faculty, students and the research that we're doing," Arroyo says. "If everyone is feeling supported and feeling like they can thrive despite the challenges, then that's what makes us greater as a whole."