I am honored to serve as the President of the Academic Professionals of California (APC). Being involved in the operations within the California State University system for over 36 years, I have been able to experience first-hand the dedication, professionalism, and loyalty that Academic Professionals bring to their jobs. Being your representative at the statewide level is both a privilege and a serious responsibility.
APC is strongest because it is rooted in the experiences of our members. Across the CSU, APC members face very real challenges such as inadequate staffing, increasing workloads, rising costs of living, and compensations that do not reflect the value of our work. These challenges impact the quality of the services we deliver and affect our ability to continue working in our chosen profession.
As your President, my priorities are as follows:
First and foremost, we need to advocate for fair and competitive compensations for our work as Academic Professionals, as well as the recognition of our significant contribution to our students’ success.
We must address workload and staffing concerns by pushing for timely hiring, sustainable organizational practices, and appropriate classification structures that reflect the work being done.
We need to expand flexible work options, including telecommuting, where appropriate, building on what we know works while maintaining high-quality service to our students and campuses.
It is important to build strong ties with our APC members by involving them in activities and discussions related to bargaining processes, as our collective voice is our main resource for successful bargaining and achieving our goals.
Also, it is essential to strive towards greater transparency and accountability within the CSU as one of our primary goals.
At its core, APC is about people. It is about ensuring that every member feels supported, informed, and empowered. Whether you are a long-time or a newly hired member, your voice matters. Our union begins at the campus level, and together we shape the direction of our statewide work.
Looking forward, we will engage in important conversations about the future of our union and the CSU. I am committed to listening, communicating openly, and leading with integrity and purpose.
Thank you for the work you do each day, and for being part of APC.
Sincerely,
Mario E. Baeza
President
Academic Professionals of California