For those who may not be familiar, how would you describe Alianza and its role within the UC Berkeley staff community?
Alianza is one of UC Berkeley’s longest-standing affinity-based staff organizations, dedicated to addressing the needs and concerns of Chicanx/Latinx staff. Its primary role is to serve as a valuable campus partner that fosters a welcoming environment through community building, professional development, and advocacy. Specifically, Alianza:
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Promotes Communication: Establishes a network to share information on cultural events, employment issues, and campus concerns.
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Supports Career Growth: Acts as an informative resource for the retention and career advancement of Latinx staff.
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Provides a Unified Voice: Develops recommendations for university leadership, represents the interests of the community, and collaborates closely with the other Affinity-Based Staff Organizations, the Council of Staff Organizations, and the Coalition of Ethnic Staff Organizations.
Can you describe a moment, program, or initiative where Alianza helped create a sense of belonging for Latine staff on campus?
The Alianza Exceptional Staff Awards (and the associated ceremony) are a premier example of fostering belonging. For example, this year, the ceremony, themed "Los Sabores de Nuestro Éxito" (The Flavors of Our Success), celebrated diverse talents through a vibrant, culturally resonant event.
Awardees have noted that this ceremony often provides their first campus-wide recognition in years of service, directly countering feelings of invisibility. By inviting nominators and their guests, Alianza creates a communal space where staff feel supported by both their professional and personal networks.
UC Berkeley can be a large and sometimes challenging space to navigate. How has Alianza supported Latine staff in finding community and connection within the university?
Alianza breaks down campus silos by offering both structured and informal networking opportunities. Initiatives like "De-stress & Connect" social hours and general social events offer unique cross-functional spaces for staff to engage outside their immediate units.
The monthly newsletter serves as a central resource for Alianza and campus-wide community events, professional opportunities, and cultural heritage celebrations like Día de los Muertos, film screenings, La Colectiva, etc. Members are encouraged to attend events or join the Steering Committee, providing a pathway to partner with other affinity-based organizations (e.g., through the Coalition of Ethnic Staff Organizations).
What does “thriving” mean for Latine staff at UC Berkeley? How does Alianza contribute to that experience, and what additional support could further enhance that sense of thriving?
For Alianza, thriving is defined by visibility, morale, and professional empowerment. Alianza views public recognition (like the Staff Awards) as a vital retention mechanism that translates into long-term staff engagement and higher morale.
By hosting professional development workshops like leadership panels, LinkedIn workshops, and collaborations with People & Culture, Alianza ensures staff have the tools to thrive in their current roles and beyond. As well, the Steering Committee offers members leadership roles and mentorship that may not be available in their primary job descriptions, allowing them to expand their professional impact.
Alianza has hosted initiatives like the Latinx Staff Awards and collaborated with other ethnic staff organizations. Can you share how these efforts have impacted visibility, recognition, or advocacy for staff of color on campus?
Events like the Exceptional Staff Awards provide a high-profile platform that validates the contributions of Latine staff, often countering long-standing feelings of invisibility within the broader university structure. By establishing new formal roles like the Staff Recognition and Awards Chair, Alianza ensures that the advocacy for and celebration of staff excellence is institutionalized and consistent across academic years.
Collaboration with the Coalition of Ethnic Staff Organizations (CESO) (including APASA, BSFO, FFSA, MENASA, and NAIC) allows Alianza to amplify the voices of staff of color. These partnerships are vital for addressing collective concerns and presenting a unified voice to campus leadership.
Through collaboration with stakeholders like the Latinx Thriving Initiative, the Council of Staff Organizations (CSO), and the newly established CACSE (Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Campus Staff Experience), Alianza ensures that Latinx staff perspectives are included in high-level campus diversity efforts and structural decision-making.
What advice would you give to new Latine staff members (or staff of color more broadly) as they build community and navigate their journey at UC Berkeley?
We encourage new Latine staff to attend campus events and take advantage of professional development opportunities as a way to meet people and start building connections. We believe finding your comunidad and a sense of belonging to be a vital tool for long-term staff success and mentorship. In particular, Alianza events are a great space to find community and connect with others who share similar experiences.
Over time, consider getting more involved in Staff Organizations, such as joining the Alianza Steering Committee, as a way to deepen those relationships and expand your network. Many of our committee members share that their involvement has helped them build a strong sense of community and belonging on campus.
Learn more information about other Staff Organizations on Campus
What is next on the horizon for Alianza, and what are you most excited to continue building or growing within this community?
Our steering community is growing! We added a new role, Staff Recognition and Awards Chair, for the 2026 round of elections, and we’re excited to see this person thrive with the support of the rest of the team. Beyond the growth of our steering committee and the introduction of the Staff Recognition and Awards Chair, Alianza is looking forward to moving beyond a year-to-year planning cycle for theExceptional Staff Awards. Our goal is to create a sustainable, permanent framework that ensures Latine excellence is celebrated with consistent visibility and institutional support.
Our Community and Social Engagement Team is looking forward to focusing on more Alianza Professional Development Events and Opportunities in the coming year. Based on a recent needs assessment, we found that over 70% of our members are seeking development in leadership and management. We are currently brainstorming for the next academic year, which focuses on strategic planning, goal setting, and navigating the UC career ladder.
As well, we would like to expand our inter-affinity partnerships with other Staff Organizations and Communities of Practice. We are prioritizing deeper collaborations with theCoalition of Ethnic Staff Organizations (CESO). Following the success of our "Community Care" events, we are exploring co-hosted programs with groups like the Filipino Faculty and Staff Association (FFSA) to build a more intersectional sense of belonging for all staff of color.
During the summer, we will be spotlighting Alianza at the upcoming 2026 NOW Conference on Thurs. 6/11, where we will host a breakout room to share our mission and engage with staff who may not yet be involved with our community.
Lastly, we are actively recruiting for critical roles such as the Chair-Elect to ensure a fresh influx of ideas and perspectives. We are particularly excited to see new leaders take ownership of our digital presence and community outreach. If you are interested in running for this position, please complete this form
Is there anything else you’d like the campus community to know about Alianza?
We warmly invite the campus community to attend Alianza events. They are designed to help you build meaningful connections and foster a sense of belonging. Supporting Latine staff and creating community is at the heart of everything we do.
We also offer opportunities throughout the year to get involved as general Alianza members, including volunteering for events such as the Alianza Staff Awards, whether that’s helping with preparation or supporting on the day of the event.
You automatically become a general Alianza member by subscribing to our listserv (alianza-members@lists.berkeley.edu), which is a great way to stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities. Please find more information about Alianza and how to subscribe to our newsletter and LinkedIn group here. We look forward to connecting with you!
