Staff Spotlight: Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell recently joined the college as the executive assistant to the chair and academic personnel for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

In this role, she independently provides leadership, oversight and office support for academic personnel. She is responsible for academic personnel functions, including policy interpretation, recruitments, appointments, the academic personnel advancement and promotion process, visa processing and oversight for the department. 

In this edition of the College of Engineering’s Staff Spotlight, we get to know more about Sara.

Tell us about your path to UC Davis.

I grew up coming to campus with my mother, Distinguished Research Professor of Anthropology and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Suad Joseph. There were many hours after school spent in her office doing homework and talking with department staff. I then came to UC Davis as an undergraduate student. A little over three years ago I got a temp position for the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics as their library coordinator, which then turned into the library and facilities coordinator when my position became permanent. I trained under one of the academic personnel in Cluster 5 so that I could get my current position as executive assistant to the chair and academic personnel for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

What is your current position at UC Davis?

Executive assistant to the chair and academic personnel for the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

What are your major job functions and responsibilities?

Under the general supervision of the department chair and the chief administrative officer, I independently provide leadership, oversight and office support for academic personnel. I am responsible for academic personnel functions, including policy interpretation, recruitments, appointments, the academic-personnel advancement and promotion process, visa processing and oversight for the department. I am also responsible for overseeing the department's marketing and communication plan including website content.

What skill is most important in your job?

Organization is key to this role in order to be able to manage all of the steps of the process of merits and promotions, as well as organization that allows me to look ahead so that there is not a last-minute rush.

What are you enjoying and looking forward to in this role?        

I am really enjoying the process of merits and promotions and getting to work directly with faculty. 

What is your favorite thing about working at UC Davis/in your department (so far)?

My favorite thing about working at UC Davis is community and specifically the commitment that UC Davis has made to diversity, equity and inclusion. The College of Engineering has impressed me with their focus on community. Within my first three months with electrical and computer engineering, I have been invited to multiple college events, as well as the AP networking group. It is nice to feel a sense of community and team work.

Tell us something most people don’t know about you.

I was adopted from birth, that part most people know, but most people don’t know that I am culturally Lebanese.

If you could do any job in the world what would it be?

I would be a time traveler so that I can figure out how to make more hours in the day. 

What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?

Like my mother, I love to cook for people. Outside of work I am often in the kitchen making food for family and friends. I also love to garden and make art with my kids.