Stacy Brooks
Stacy Brooks has served in the California State University system for 18 years (five years at California State University, Los Angeles & 13 years at California State University, San Bernardino and counting!).
“I would take the metro from San Bernardino to Los Angeles which was a two hour commute in the morning and two hour commute in the evening. I took that job because my husband was a general contractor (at the time) and we had five children with no health benefits.”
When Stacy’s husband (Blake Brooks, Facilities Services – Building Maintenance) learned of her decision to leave CSULA, he actively searched for open positions within CSUSB which led to Stacy eventually being invited to meet with then Psychology Department Chair and Associate Dean for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Joanna Worthley. During the meeting with Dr. Worthley, Stacy remembers feeling underqualified for the position.
Dr. Worthely’s response?
“This is good - I think this is going to work.”
“Those words changed my life,” said Stacy, “and I was offered the position as an emergency hire. Dr. Worthley was the first true, female mentor I ever had, my world changed.” With conviction in her voice, Stacy proudly exclaimed that CSUSB changed her family’s life. Stacy believes that CSUSB is more than just an educational institution, but a pillar within the San Bernardino Community.
“The University provided our family with benefits,” remarked Stacey, “we began building our retirement and were given a rock-solid foundation that we did not have in the early years of our marriage.”
A highlight for Stacy has been the camaraderie between employees as demonstrated in their support and investment towards each other’s successes.
“Joanna [Dr. Worthley] invested in people and taught me that everyone who comes to the front door of our department is a real person with real lives outside of these halls. Everybody matters.” As an example of how CSUSB interacts with the San Bernardino community, Stacy is an advocate for the fight against cancer.
“The wife of Albert K. Karnig, President Emeritus, CSUSB, Marilyn Karnig, introduced me and asked me to represent CSUSB to the Inland Women Fighting Cancer Charity (IWFC) and I’ve been with them for 10 years”, said Stacy. The IWFC in collaboration with Stater Bros. Charities created the Believe Walk held in Redlands. The walk brings over 12,000 people to the streets in Redlands and every dollar raised stays in the Inland Empire to support medical centers and organizations dedicated to the care of men and women with cancer. CSUSB has remained a major sponsor for this event and has a strong team who participate each year, walking the streets showing off their coyote blue Team Believe shirts.
When asked how she would like to leave her paw print at the University, Stacy replied that her motto is to always believe the best in people and always give more than you take.
“I love that Cal State San Bernardino is not just a university of classrooms, we are a pillar in the community.' Not only does Stacy view CSUSB as a pillar in the San Bernardino community, but she has had the opportunity to witness and participate as the University became a beacon of light during a dark time in the local community. Spring 2017 was the year of the North Park Elementary School Shooting, “I was overly emotional watching the news that day,” Stacy commented, “I wrote a simple email asking for 500 teddy bears to give to the children who were at the school and ended up collecting over 8,000 as the teddy bear drive grew beyond CSUSB!'
Stacy mentioned that the response was overwhelming as their offices were flooded with teddy bears which ended up being donated to domestic violence shelters, the San Bernardino Police Department (SPBD), Loma Linda University Children’s Center and local community hospitals within the San Bernardino County.
“CSUSB’s response to this incident showed me that a simple act of kindness with many people involved can make a huge impact,” remarked Stacy, “And guess what? It started right here, it started at CSUSB. If you ask, this community always says yes.”
When asked how she is transforming lives at CSUSB, Stacy replied, “I like to believe that no matter who comes through that door, they feel significant, they should feel listened to, and they should feel served. I want the students to know that CSUSB is their home and that we care about their academic career. Our job is to help them graduate and make sure they are successful, that’s what we’re here to do. We’re here to serve the students.”
What are Stacy’s howlin’ words of encouragement for staff who desire to grow in their roles at CSUSB?
“Learn to do more and be willing to do all that you can here so that you have the ability to do more elsewhere. Be more than CSUSB in your office, be CSUSB in the community.”
About Stacy
Stacy is a wife, the mother of five (three of who work at CSUSB), and grandmother (her best role yet!) She is an advocate for breast cancer awareness and is an active member in the San Bernardino Community as well as CSUSB. Every year, for the past 18 years (and counting!), Stacy brings a team to the three-day 60 mile Susan G. Komen breast cancer walk (over 1,080 miles so far!). Stacy currently serves on CSUSB’s Staff Council, and has served on the University’s Employee Development Day 2018 Planning Committee. She enjoys hiking and hiked Mt. Whitney, half-dome, and dreams of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro one day.