Student Development Spotlight: The Unseen Art of Leadership at the Craft Center

From the calming hum of pottery wheels to the purposeful sound of saws, the UC Davis Craft Center is a hub of creativity. But behind the artistic flow, a dedicated team of student managers works tirelessly to ensure every studio runs smoothly. This team includes Landscape Architecture major Jaida Jacobie (Arts & Craft/Jewelry Studio Manager), Art and Psychology double major Mike Raygoza (Ceramics Studio Manager), and Applied Physics major Zoe Ramos (Woodworking Studio Manager). These leaders are not just employees; they are essential facilitators of creativity, community, and personal growth for hundreds of students and community members.

The Community Builders and the Joy of Creation and Growth

The managers consistently agree that the most rewarding part of their job is the deep connection and visible growth they witness every day. The environment fosters a genuine family community that extends beyond the classroom.

For Jaida, the appeal is the camaraderie with fellow managers and the community members who are passionate about art. Mike highlights the unique gift of facilitating growth, watching students “grow and become more comfortable and feeling very strong as creators and crafters.” The feeling of watching students progress is mutual. Zoe emphasizes that the sense of community is the main draw, extending from fellow student leaders to the volunteers and class participants. Like her colleagues, she finds immense  satisfaction in seeing people start a craft, explore their interests, and create impressive projects entirely from their own vision.

The Unseen Labor: Maintenance, Machines, and Dedication

What often surprises students and patrons about their roles is the sheer amount of technical maintenance, intense cleaning, and equipment upkeep involved. Jaida notes that customers often only see them behind the desk, not realizing the background work, scheduling, and physical labor required to keep specialized studios running safely.

Mike manages the busy Ceramics Studio, with its demanding kiln firings and required power-washing. For the Woodworking Studio, Zoe deals with its own unique intensity—namely, fixing broken equipment and managing the sheer volume of saw dust. Despite the mess and the difficulty, they agree on one thing: there is a fun and satisfying element to completely revitalizing a workspace, especially when supported by a great team of dedicated volunteers who are always willing to help out.

Advice for New Managers: Communication and Boundaries

For anyone stepping into a student leadership role at the Craft Center, the shared advice focuses on balance, clear communication, and self-assurance—critical skills for any profession. All three leaders stress that the role has a learning curve. Jaida advises, "You get to set it [the studio] up the way that you want it to be set up," but both she and Mike emphasize the need to be proactive by asking questions and leaning on fellow managers.  Zoe adds that this is critical for learning complex maintenance and handling new situations.

The managers must also be firm about safety and policy, especially with seasoned instructors. Zoe, like Jaida, emphasizes the need for self-assurance and setting professional boundaries. The job isn't rigid, so managers have to choose how much they take on, or risk burnout, which ultimately makes the studio suffer. Working with a diverse group of instructors, volunteers, and managers requires constant collaboration, while being flexible and understanding.

Connecting Craft to Career: Skills for the Future

Their work managing the studios provides practical skills that extend far beyond their academic majors, bridging classroom theory with real-world application. Jaida gained practical knowledge of supplies needed as a landscape architect and, more importantly, a strong foundation in managerial leadership and organizational skills. Mike plans to combine his studies in art and psychology as an art therapist, and as a manager, he has gained a firsthand lesson in the therapeutic value of creating art and crafting. He goes on to say that the managers handle the logistical side of running the studios, so the participants can focus solely on the act of creating. For Zoe, managing the Woodworking Studio provides invaluable hands-on technical problem-solving and experience training others on complex equipment, skills vital for careers in project management and leadership. 

The Spirit of Campus Recreation

The managers agree that the Craft Center's identity as a part of Campus Recreation is key to its mission. It functions as a necessary release from academic pressures, allowing students to step into a relaxed state and leave stress behind. Like many other Campus Recreation units, the Craft Center embodies the “Come As You Are” philosophy. This recreational focus makes all the hard work they do worthwhile, fulfilling the mission of creating a welcoming and safe space for creativity.