“Pay it Forward” is the motto and backbone of the IT Support Services group led by Tammy Campbell.
Many of the front line support staff started out as interns and stayed to become career staff members, including IT Workstation and Help Desk support who engage directly with Lab staff to resolve everyday technical issues. Tammy developed close partnerships with local high schools and colleges to help craft curriculum for future generations of professionals and establish a talent pipeline of interns for the Lab.
A dedicated focus on community education, mentorship, and outreach form the focus of Tammy’s effective leadership. For guidance, Tammy draws support from a network of colleagues who are similarly passionate about enriching their communities and championing underrepresented groups. Tammy and the IT Support Services group are frequent collaborators with groups across the Lab, including IDEA, Talent Outreach, Workforce Development and Education (WD&E), and Government and Community Relations (GCR), including K-12 STEM Education & Outreach.
Managing an active group of 30+ staff can present unexpected challenges at times but affirming the Lab’s stewardship values and maintaining a code of respectful conduct is key. Tammy supplements staff development by consistently fostering mentorship and rewarding volunteer opportunities.
The Lab Ambassador program and the staff-led Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are two ways to become more engaged at the Lab. The Lab Ambassador program is coordinated between the IDEA, Talent Outreach, and WD&E offices. Staff can volunteer to be an Ambassador and represent the Lab at targeted conferences by giving presentations, serving on panels, judging poster sessions, and staffing career fair booths.
The Lab’s ERGs are crucial foundation blocks of the Lab and are a driving force of change for all employees. By joining ERGs, staff may engage more directly in Lab-wide initiatives and contribute to fully integrating IDEA principles into organizational practices. As co-chair of the Women’s Support and Empowerment Council (WSEC) ERG, Tammy and WSEC partner with Human Resources to determine priorities and develop strategies for recruitment, retention, work-life balance, and the empowerment of all women at Berkeley Lab.
Tammy believes that advocating for others sends a lasting and powerful statement for the benefits of participation.
Recently, Tammy was honored with the 2021 Director’s Award for Outreach in recognition of her selflessness, long-standing commitment, and vision in building education outreach programs across the Bay Area, especially from underserved communities. Her work as a board member and advisor with local community colleges and high schools has touched thousands of students. Chief Information Officer (CIO) and IT Division Director, Adam Stone, begins his address starting at 39:55 in the recorded video. On Tammy’s record of outstanding outreach, Adam noted:
“For over a decade, Tammy has led IT’s engagement with local 2nd grade classes, introducing students to STEM and computing content from a curriculum and set of experiential learning opportunities developed by Tammy. This work has not only supported education opportunities for local students of diverse backgrounds, it has helped to build important good will with parents and teachers throughout our local community.”
— Adam Stone, Chief Information Officer & IT Division Director, Berkeley Lab
The IT Division has a long history of volunteering and raising the profile of the Lab with community stakeholders through hands-on education and long-term engagement. In We Are Berkeley Lab, Tammy was featured in a series highlighting staff who help the local community through outreach. On the topic of why mentoring is so important to her:
“Whether you are mentoring for one event or leading a STEM effort for an organization or school, our involvement as Berkeley Lab employees demonstrates our commitment to the advancement of science. We are an organization that cares about the future. We are an institution that supports the development of the next generation of scientists and engineers.”
— Tammy Campbell, IT Support Services Group Lead, Berkeley Lab
Tammy’s inspiring leadership and advocacy set a high bar for colleagues seeking to build brighter futures for all. Outside of working at the Lab and volunteering in her spare time, Tammy enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.
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