PULSE
A Quarterly Update for CBS Employees
I T I O N
A Message from the A Message from the DDirector irector
This issue looks a little bit different. We are “growing” in the spring issue and have changed a few things. We’ ve increased the page-count, and instead of a message from the Director, we wrote an article about him We hope you enjoy!
Robert Miller joined UCR just ten months ago, bringing a mix of experience in retail (Nike), healthcare facility management, and a lifetime of fascinating stories. He made the switch to UCR looking for a new challenge, a great community, and—most importantly— more time with his family.
Robert made the switch to UCR in search of a new challenge and a vibrant community where he could make a meaningful impact. Most importantly, this career transition allowed him to spend more quality time with his family, something he deeply cherishes. Since stepping into his role, Robert has been instrumental in streamlining campus operations, fostering collaboration across departments, and enhancing the overall student experience. His approachable demeanor and hands-on leadership style have quickly made him a beloved figure on campus.
Outside of work, Robert is an avid outdoorsman with a love for hiking and a die-hard passion for football. When he's not ensuring the smooth running of campus services, you ’ll likely find him coaching his son ’ s high school football team or exploring scenic trails. His wife, whom he fondly calls the "real MVP," is the mastermind behind their family adventures, often leveraging Robert’ s veteran perks to explore the country’ s stunning national parks. Their next big adventures? Australia and Machu Picchu, destinations handpicked by his wife’ s impeccable taste for travel.
Robert’ s past is as captivating as his future plans. As a former U.S. military medic, he played a critical role in the mission that brought American hostage Terry Anderson home, an intense and unforgettable experience that involved flying into Syrian airspace under military escort.
Another profound moment etched in his memory is witnessing a Turkish soldier tear up after receiving a small U.S. flag—a simple yet powerful symbol of unity and respect that transcended borders and cultures.
When it comes to personal indulgences, Robert has a serious weakness for anything lemon-flavored— lemon cake, lemon pie, lemon bars, you name it. He’ s also a devoted fan of Denzel Washington and classic films, often unwinding with timeless cinema. One of his personal dreams? Waking up one day fluent in Spanish, not only to connect more deeply with his wife and in-laws but to embrace a new cultural experience.
Since arriving at UCR, Robert has seamlessly integrated into the campus community, bringing his wealth of experience and down-to-earth personality to Campus Business Services. His leadership has already made a lasting impact, and when he’ s not busy enhancing campus operations, he’ s likely on the hunt for the best lemon dessert in town. With his adventurous spirit and dedication to service, Robert is an invaluable asset to UCR and an inspiration to all of us in Campus Business Services.
"Where flowers bloom, so does hope " – Lady Bird Johnson
Where flowers bloom and hope springs eternal.
First day of spring is March 20, 2025.
"The
earth laughs in flowers " – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Highlander Highlight
Tabitha Rosser General Manager - Bookstore
If you ’ ve ever stepped into the UCR Bookstore, chances are you ’ ve felt the warm and welcoming presence of Tabitha, the General Manager who has been leading the store for the past nine years in partnership with Barnes & Noble. With a 25-year career at Nordstrom before joining UCR, she brings a wealth of experience in leadership and customer service, shaping the bookstore into more than just a place to buy textbooks—it’ s a hub for students, faculty, and the Highlander community.
But there’ s much more to Tabitha than her impressive career. A foodie at heart, she has an undeniable love for Mexican cuisine, with carnitas and margaritas ranking at the top of her favorites. Her adventurous spirit extends beyond food—she dreams of setting sail on a luxury Alaskan cruise, where she can take in breathtaking views while enjoying top-tier hospitality.
A true pop culture fan, Tabitha never misses a Super Bowl halftime show. She’ s also a devoted fan of the Indiana Jones series, drawn to its action-packed adventures. And speaking of favorite stars—Jalen Hurts, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, has her full attention when football season rolls around.
Family is at the center of her world, and she loves organizing sushi nights and planning family trips every two years, ensuring meaningful time with loved ones. With Persian roots in her extended family, she also enjoys exploring Middle Eastern cuisine and wishes she could master Spanish fluently, inspired by her frequent travels near the Mexican border.
From leading the bookstore with expertise to embracing life with passion and enthusiasm, Tabitha brings an energy that makes UCR feel like home. Whether she’ s helping students find the perfect book, planning her next family gathering, or cheering on her favorite team, her presence is truly one to celebrate!
"Spring is nature's way of saying 'Let's party!" - Robin Williams
Highlander Highlight
Robert Mazza Senior Equipment Operator
If there’ s one thing to know about Robert Mazza, it’ s that he’ s always up for a challenge—whether it’ s scaling white-water walls with nothing but his hands, restoring a classic car, or keeping UCR’ s surplus operations running smoothly. As a Senior Equipment Operator with 19 years under his belt, Robert has done it all, from working with the fleet to handling logistics at ScotSurplus. His journey at UCR has been filled with both highs and lows, but through it all, he’ s remained dedicated, hardworking, and always ready to tackle the next task.
Beyond work, Robert is a man of many interests. A lover of all things mechanical, he spent 2.5 years in tool and die work and enjoys building and fixing things—if it involves working with his hands, he’ s all in. When he’ s not busy on campus, you might find him at the bowling alley or under the hood of a classic car, bringing it back to life.
Travel has also been a big part of Robert’ s story. He’ s explored Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, following in the footsteps of his parents, who traveled extensively across Europe thanks to his father’ s Navy career. But his dream trip? Australia. With its rugged landscapes, incredible wildlife, and endless adventures, it’ s at the top of his list.
When it comes to movies, Robert enjoys a good action film but also has a soft spot for classic chick flicks— a result of growing up with his sister and foster sisters. Fried Green Tomatoes and The Shawshank Redemption are two of his all-time favorites. And if you ever want to win him over with food, red velvet cake and Mongolian cuisine are the way to go.
From his hands-on expertise to his adventurous spirit, Robert brings a unique energy to UCR. Whether he’ s fixing equipment, sharing a laugh, or planning his next big project, one thing’ s for sure—there’ s never a dull moment when he’ s around.
"The sun was warm but the wind was chill You know how it is with an April day " —Robert Frost
CBS Chronicles
Shipping & Receiving Edition
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at CBS Shipping & Receiving?
From handling research specimens to shipping high-tech equipment across the globe, they make sure everything gets where it needs to go—fast and efficiently.
Check out some of the most unusual and exciting items they’ ve moved lately.
01 Shipped Mouse Brains to Germany
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Shipped fancy cameras to Brazil to take special photos of avocado blooms in various phases of development
03 Shipped long beans to South Africa and Australia
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Received 750 lb. wave tank aquarium and when the client's student tried to lift it, it resulted in an ambulance ride to the hospital for treatment of a finger injury.
Overnight shipment of carrots to a nematologist from a retired UCR researcher.
06 Received frogs and mice for research, and human lungs and other parts for the school of medicine.
07 Received sheep's blood to feed mosquitoes in the lab
CBS Scotty-Scope
The Stars Have Spoken (and They’re Judging Your Work Habits)
Aries (March 21 - April 19)
You're on fire this week—emails answered, tasks crushed, coffee inhaled. Just remember to slow down before your coworkers suspect you ' re fueled by jet engines (or way too much espresso).
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Chaos incoming! Your routine is toast. Embrace the vending machine's questionable chip selection.
Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
Multitasking like a pro! Just brace yourself for the 3 AM cupcake-induced panic attack. Even legends forget dessert.
Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
Your emotional support coffee is now your emotional saboteur. You'll be deeply moved by stapler jams and composing heartfelt sonnets to the office printer. Colleagues will either adore you or hide. No in-between.
Leo (July 23 - Aug 22)
The office demands your charisma, and you ' re delivering! Just remember, even divas need backup dancers. Share the stage, darling.
Virgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22)
Your typo-detecting superpowers are in overdrive. Remember, normal humans don't zoom in that close. Let a few minor errors slide. Your sanity will thank you, and the spreadsheets will survive.
Libra (Sept 23 - Oct 22)
Decision-making? Nope. Just flip a coin, answer that ancient email, and try not to paralyze the office with your lunch deliberations.
Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21)
You're a workplace enigma this week. Silent coffee sips and fish-mystery solving? Perfect. Keep ' em guessing, that's your vibe.
Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21)
Restless and vacation-obsessed? Resist the urge to 'travel blogger' your way out of rent. Stretch, breathe, and remember, adulting is real.
Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19)
Productivity: maxed. Silent work ethic judgment: expert level. Still, even you need a break. The world might not implode if you step away from the computer. Might.
Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)
Your brain's a think tank, theirs? Not quite. Patience, grasshopper. And maybe ease up on the 'let's revolutionize everything' pitches.
Pisces (Feb 19 - March 20)
Your brain's on a beach vacation, not on emails. Snap out of it! Reminders, notes, and stay conscious in meetings, please. The fish are calling...you to work.
CBS Spring Refresh
Spring is here, and that means it’ s time for a little workspace refresh! A cluttered desk = a cluttered mind, so let’ s clear out the chaos and make room for some serious productivity. Here are some easy (and actually fun) ways to get organized:
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The “Do I Really Need This?” Test – If you haven’t used it in months (or forgot it even existed), it’ s time to toss, recycle, or donate. Yes, that includes those 27 dried-out pens in your drawer.
Digital Declutter – Your computer desktop isn’t a storage unit! Organize your files, clear out old emails, and finally unsubscribe from those random newsletters you never read.
Wipe It Down – Keyboards, screens, and desks collect more dust and germs than you think. Give everything a good wipe and enjoy that fresh, clean vibe. Remember, our Aux. Facilities Dept. does not dust or clean any desk areas as part of their cleaning procedure.
Create a “Must-Have” Zone – Keep the essentials within arm ’ s reach (pens, notepads, chargers), and store the rest. The less clutter, the less distraction!
Add a Little Life – A small plant or a fun desk accessory can boost your mood and make your workspace feel more inviting. Bonus points if it’ s low-maintenance (looking at you, succulents!).
Curate Your Work Playlist – Fresh space, fresh mindset! Whether it’ s chill lo-fi beats or upbeat jams, set the mood for a productive workday – just be sure to use your earbuds to keep the vibe to yourself and not disturb others.
Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up—it’ s about making your workspace work for you. So, clear the clutter, freshen things up, and watch your productivity bloom!
Chasing Sunshine Spring Hotspots
Carlsbad Flower Fields
Carlsbad
Thousand Steps Beach
Laguna Beach
California Poppy Festival
Lancaster, April 25-27
Sunny Jim’ s Cave
La Jolla
Innovate & Create DIY Edition
For step-by-step instructions on how to make these origami tulips and other spring flowers, please scan the QR code below!
CBS Kudos
Huge thanks to Brian for his incredible help with our R’Card contest.
Kudos to Robert for his constant support and dedication.
Thank you to the Mail Services team, Tenney, and Allan for stepping in to help since George left!
Hip Hip Hooray for AMY for all her billing and admin support. CBS would not run as smoothly without her!
Shoutout to Kyle as well for bringing a fresh vision to the R’Card contest marketing!
Thank you to Marla who has pulled extra duty while her colleagues were on vacation.
Send your Kudos all month long to jenya.saini@email. ucr.edu
HSS is ROCKING the passport program. You all are awesome!
