Her regular job isn't enough for Monica Steinhart. Offically, she's an assistant in the Office of Administration, doing research and statistical data entry, making meeting and travel arrangements and tackling accounting, purchasing and payroll work, along with other tasks.

But on top of her office work, she's volunteered to take on a host of extra campus responsibilities.

Steinhart is a member of the chancellor's childcare and communication advisory committees and part of another workgroup dealing with accounting procedures. For her communications post, she writes for Staff e-News, a newsletter published by Staff Assembly.

She's committed to the extra work she does. The childcare post, for instance, allows her to promote the need for day-care subsidies for university employees.

"I don't like to stretch myself thin, but if I'm available, and it works schedule-wise, I'll do it," Steinhart said.

Steinhart also is the person in the Office of Administration who organizes birthday parties for co-workers and who brings treats to staff meetings. She calls herself the "social bunny."

"I like to see the expression on people's faces when (an event) comes together and it's more than they expected," she said.

Steinhart, who has worked in administrative jobs at the medical center and on campus since 1997, also juggles family responsibilities. She and husband Daniel, who is practice manager at the medical center's neurosciences clinic, have a 2-year-old daughter, Maya.

At home in Sacramento, she also keeps up a busy pace. She volunteers with the parent group at Maya's pre-school and with a community organization that puts on an annual Easter egg hunt for the children of drug-addicted parents. Indulging a musical interest, she volunteers with the Sacramento Master Singers choral group and hopes to help out at Mondavi Center.

Steinhart has also returned to Sac-ramento City College to finish a business degree. This fall she's taking two courses, easing back into one more major responsibility.

"It will be a little easier that way to get back into the student role," Steinhart said.

What do you like most about your job?

There isn't one thing on campus the office isn't involved in. There's finance, human resources, the police department. Everything is here. That's exactly what I was looking for.

What don't you like?

I'd love to work part-time and be home with my daughter more.

What's your favorite place on campus?

There's a small corner right at the side of Shields where there are lavender roses that are so fragrant. It's right across from the quad. There's a bench, and I like to sit there.

What have you recently been reading?

Fighting for Your Marriage by Howard Markman, Scott Stanley and Susan Blumberg. I'm reading it because we are still newlyweds, and it's supposed to be the marriage necessity handbook.

How does your family enjoy spending time?

We're members of the Crocker Art Museum. We go to the zoo - more so now than ever. We used to play softball. We're rugged campers - no showers. We love the outdoors. We fish. Salmon season is a major deal in our household.

If there were more hours in the day, how would you spend them?

• would find a child's playgroup because it would allow me to bring Maya there and do some fun things.

If you weren't working in the Office of Administration what would you be doing?

I'd probably be some sort of office executive for a company doing social awareness, maybe domestic violence issues. The company would be doing something for the community.

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?

With the assumption I had my degree finished, I would be associate vice chancellor of something. I like challenges. •