Q&A interview with Tara Warden

Tara Warden, Assistant Dean for Advising and Undergraduate Affairs, propelled her department to the highest rate of participation in last year’s campaign – with 27 of the 28 members of Warden’s team making gifts! We caught up with her to learn more about her motivations for supporting UC, and how she inspired so many of her colleagues to get involved.

What do you tell others about the Faculty/Staff Campaign?

The campaign gives our most intensively dedicated UC stakeholders – the faculty and staff that live and breathe UC – the opportunity to also target our charitable giving toward the academic endeavors that we work to accomplish every day.

What motivates you to participate in the Faculty/Staff Campaign?

I believe in the work we do to advance the learning and educational achievements of our students.  So many of them – especially our first generation students – will improve their entire family’s educational and financial trajectory by graduating from college. Helping them to do that is extremely gratifying work. It is also essential to the overall health and well-being of our communities.

Undergraduate Affairs and Advising has always performed well during the Faculty/Staff Campaign. What’s your secret?

The staff that work in our offices are unwaveringly dedicated to improving the lives of our students in as many ways as we can.  They are aware that gifts of every size help, even if they can only afford five or 10 dollars.

Is there any advice you can give other departments and units going forward?

Lead by example. For instance, the Assistant Deans have chosen to give a set amount in the name of every person in the unit, with a request that each person matches the gift. My colleague, Jeannette Mautner, came up with the idea last year, and it was extremely successful – so we will continue the practice this year.  Supporting individual staff to succeed is a big part of our role.  

A&S received 39% participation last year; can you give us a prediction for how our college will do this year?

I’m certain we can reach at least 50% participation – or one out of two giving this year. As the largest college, we have every reason to be the proud leader of the campaign. Individuals don’t have to give large amounts to make a real impact together. The challenge is on!

To make a gift to the 2012 Faculty/Staff Campaign,

click here

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