[Msoadm] Central Human Resources Newsletter | June 2026

Thu Jun 11 14:26:56 PDT 2026

Central Human Resources Newsletter

June 2026
[image: Alex Najera]
Continuous Learning and Community
A message from Alex Nájera, Associate Vice Chancellor, CHRO

Dear Campus Partners,

As we transition into the summer months, June is a time for celebration,
summer vacations, and opportunities for continuous learning. This summer is
especially exciting for me as I reflect on my children completing another
school year. With the busyness and haste of life, we plan to take a
vacation to reconnect and enjoy time together. I hope you get an
opportunity to take time to reflect and refresh as well.

This month, I encourage all eligible policy-covered career staff to
participate in the UC Systemwide Survey starting June 22—your confidential
feedback is critical to leadership at UCR and the Office of the President.
We can only get better if we hear from you.

As the 2025/2026 performance cycle concludes, remember it’s never too late
to start or restart your goals. As you plan for the 2026/2027 performance
year, please prioritize reviewing your goals, professional development
and/or Individual Development Plan (IDP) to support your ongoing
professional growth. Additionally, remember to explore the UC Retirement
Webinars for financial planning and to see if you are on the right
retirement track for you.

Finally, this month offers important moments for community and reflection
as we observe Juneteenth, a federal holiday celebrating freedom and
progress (campus closed June 19), and Pride Month, celebrating inclusion
and the contributions of our LGBTQ+ community.

Thank you for your dedication to UCR, especially those volunteering for the
UCR 2026 Commencement. Your commitment strengthens our campus community.

UCR 2026 Commencement

Congratulations to all UCR 2026 graduates on this outstanding achievement!
Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this
important milestone, and UC Riverside is proud to have been part of your
journey. As commencement approaches, any faculty and staff who would like
to volunteer to help make this special occasion memorable for our graduates
and their families and friends, please visit the UCR Commencement 2026
website <https://commencement.ucr.edu/> to learn more about commencement
activities and opportunities to support this important campus celebration.

Spotlights
[image: image]

HR Employee Spotlight: Nea Alvarado Voss

Nea began her career with the UC system in 2016 at UC Santa Barbara where
she served as the Chief Administrative Officer for Environmental Studies.
She transferred to UC Riverside in 2022 to join Central Human Resources as
a Lead Project Analyst to assist with the ePerformance project. Nea earned
the title of ePer Guru guiding participants through the pilot and
respectfully leading conversations with the committee.

Nea earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology and Master's in Educational
Administration from UC Santa Barbara. When she is on campus, you may find
her in her favorite place "the Botanical Gardens". She has a deep
appreciation for plants, since she studied botany as an undergraduate.

This spotlight is not only deserved but also special, because after
dedicating her entire career to public service within school districts and
the UC system, Nea will retire from the UC system and STRS on Tuesday, June
30, 2026. In Nea's own words, "During my time at UCR, I have truly enjoyed
supporting staff with performance management and development. In
retirement, I look forward to staying active and spending as much time as
possible outdoors." We wish Nea all the best in her retirement and
pickleball matches. We are grateful for all she has done to improve
ePerformance and other projects she assisted with. Fiat Lux wherever
retirement may take her.
[image: image]

HR Team Spotlight: HR Policy, Communication & Strategic Initiatives Team

This dynamic team within Central HR plays a key role in supporting the UC
Riverside workforce by leading efforts in policy development, strategic
planning, and employee communications.

They ensure HR policies are clear, current, and aligned with UC systemwide
standards—while also crafting meaningful communications that keep our
campus community informed and engaged. From launching campus-wide
initiatives, such as Avanti, to strengthening transparency and
collaboration, this team helps shape a positive and connected employee
experience at UCR.

HR Reminders

UC Systemwide Survey

UC, in collaboration with Deloitte, will be conducting a comprehensive
systemwide engagement survey of eligible campus-based, policy-covered
career staff. This systemwide effort is separate and distinct from UCR
based surveys. It is your opportunity to provide direct feedback not only
to the leadership at UCR but also at the Office of the President. Survey
responses are confidential. No one inside UC will have access to individual
survey response data.

The survey will be open from June 22 through July 3. It will be open to
policy-covered career staff with at least 50% appointments, at non-health
center locations. Look for the survey in your email inbox on June 22.

_________________________________________

Understanding Your Benefits Utilization- Explanation of Benefits (EOB

An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is a statement from your health insurance
provider that shows how a medical claim was processed. It explains what
services were received, how much the healthcare provider charged, what the
insurance plan paid, and any amount that may be your responsibility. An EOB
is not a bill, but it is an important tool for understanding how your
health benefits are being used.

Reviewing your EOBs throughout the year can help you make informed
decisions about your healthcare expenses. Each EOB provides details about
your deductible, copays, coinsurance, and other costs that may apply to
your plan. By checking this information regularly, you can verify that
claims were processed correctly and identify any potential errors before
paying a provider bill.

EOBs are also useful for tracking your progress toward your annual
out-of-pocket maximum. Once you reach this limit, your health plan may pay
100% of eligible covered services for the rest of the plan year.
Understanding your EOBs can help you better manage healthcare costs, avoid
surprises, and make the most of your health benefits.

_________________________________________

Performance Management Reminders

Now is a good time to review your goals and Individual Development Plan
(IDP). Setting clear, meaningful goals
<https://hr.ucr.edu/performance-management-forms-and-documents#guides>
helps employees understand expectations and focus their efforts on work
that supports their department’s and the university's priorities.
Well-defined goals also provide a roadmap for measuring progress and
recognizing accomplishments throughout the year.

An Individual Development Plan
<https://hr.ucr.edu/performance-management-forms-and-documents#forms> is an
important tool that supports the successful completion of goals outlined in
the Goal Agreement form
<https://hr.ucr.edu/performance-management-forms-and-documents#forms>. A
thoughtfully developed IDP helps identify the skills, knowledge, and
resources needed to achieve desired outcomes while encouraging ongoing
growth and development. Together, goal setting and performance planning
create a foundation for individual success, improved organizational
performance, and a more engaged workforce.

For additional information and to view the Performance Management Timeline,
visit the Performance Management webpage
<https://hr.ucr.edu/supervisor-resources/performance-management-0>.

_________________________________________

Planning for Your Future

Whether retirement is just around the corner or still several years away,
now is a great time to start planning for your future. UC offers
educational webinars designed to help employees better understand their
retirement benefits and make informed financial decisions.

These sessions cover a variety of topics, including UC retirement plans,
everyday money management, retirement income planning, and strategies for
building long-term financial security. Taking advantage of these resources
can help you prepare for a confident and successful retirement.  Here are
some of the many webinars that are offered monthly. You can view the entire
schedule of courses at the My UC Retirement Webinar Calendar.
<https://www.myucretirement.com/webinars/calendar?utm_source=email&utm_medium=invite&utm_campaign=FTD&utm_id=46140&utm_content=cta-webinar>

   -

   How to Begin Investing for Retirement: June 18
   -

   Investing Basics for Retirees: June 29
   -

   Retiree Health Benefits: June 17
   -

   Ways to Save With Roth: June 25

_________________________________________

UCR Catastrophic Leave Sharing Program - We Need Your Help!

The UCR Catastrophic Leave Sharing Program provides a mechanism for
employees to donate vacation hours to employees who have exhausted all paid
leave balances due to a catastrophic illness or injury. To learn how you
can help by donating hours, please read the full Catastrophic Leave Sharing
Program Request
<https://hr.ucr.edu/benefitsannouncements/2026/02/04/ucr-catastrophic-leave-sharing-program-we-need-your-help>
.

R’Employee Service Portal is Open

UCR Human Resources and Information Technology Solutions are excited to
announce that UC Riverside’s new employee self-service portal, R’Employee
Services, is now live <https://hr.ucr.edu/portal>!

The launch of this portal is a major milestone for Avanti, a joint
initiative between UCR HR and ITS aimed at streamlining HR operations,
increasing efficiency, and enhancing your overall employee experience.
Let’s Talk About Change

While this is an exciting step forward, we want to be completely candid: change
can be hard.

Whenever an organization transitions to a new system, it requires breaking
old habits and learning new workflows. This is the core of change
management—it’s
not just about installing new technology; it's about supporting the people
who use it every day.

R’Employee Services is our new permanent home for employee self-service.
Because it is here to stay, we want to make sure you feel confident using
it. We know that the transition hasn't been seamless for everyone, and we
acknowledge that there are currently bugs, learning curves, and growing
pains. Your frustration during these first few weeks is completely valid.
We Are Here to Support You

You are not expected to figure this out alone. We are fully committed to
smoothing out the wrinkles and helping you adapt. To ensure you have the
support you need, we have established the following resources:

   -

   Weekly Office Hours <https://hr.ucr.edu/avanti#office-hours>: Drop in to
   get real-time, hands-on help from our support team to resolve specific
   issues or ask quick questions.
   -

   Additional Training Sessions
   <https://hr.ucr.edu/avanti#hr-partners-shared-service-cen>: We are
   hosting targeted training webinars to walk you through the system
   step-by-step.
   -

   On-Demand Guides
   <https://sites.google.com/ucr.edu/avanti-training-materials/home>:
   Access our updated library of user process guides and training whenever you
   get stuck.

Thank you for your patience, your resilience, and your feedback as we
navigate this major milestone together. We are confident that once the dust
settles, R’Employee Services will make your day-to-day operations much
smoother.

National Celebrations

Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom and Progress

All UC campuses will close on June 19, 2026, to observe Juneteenth.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in
Galveston, Texas, were notified of their freedom two years after the
Emancipation Proclamation. Today, this federal holiday serves as a time to
celebrate African American resilience and contributions while reflecting on
the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice.

Pride Month: Celebrating Inclusion and Community

Observed every June, Pride Month honors the achievements and experiences of
the LGBTQ+ community. It commemorates the June 1969 Stonewall Uprising in
New York City, which transformed a movement for equal rights into a global
celebration of diversity and inclusion.

Pride Month highlights LGBTQ+ history and impact while promoting supportive
environments. Through education and community events, it fosters a
commitment to creating inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive.

Upcoming Events
Events Calendar <https://events.ucr.edu/department/human_resources>

R'Employee Portal Office Hours

June 16 - 1-2pm

__________________

R'Employee Portal Office Hours

June 22- 1-2pm

LOA Training: Intermittent Leaves

June 17 - 10am-12pm

__________________

LOA Training: Intermittent Leaves

June 24 - 10am-12pm

HROG Meeting

June 18 - 11am-12pm

__________________

R'Employee Portal Office Hours

June 22- 10-11am

Juneteenth Holiday

June 19

__________________

July 4th Holiday

July 3

hr.ucr.edu | questions: hrpolicy at ucr.edu
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