Celebrating 30 Years of Service as Kobe Childs-Floyd Retires From UC Davis
After more than three decades of service, Kobe Childs-Floyd, Assistant Payroll Director, is retiring from UC Davis, closing a career defined by community and connection. When she began working on campus in the early 1990s, what stood out most was not just the work, but the culture. From colleagues and student assistants to the broader Davis community, Kobe consistently felt a genuine sense of warmth and belonging, a spirit that extended well beyond campus.
Having grown up in Los Angeles before moving to the Sacramento Valley, Kobe noticed a clear contrast. Larger cities, she reflects, don’t always offer the same sense of connection. Even as the city of Davis has grown over the years, she believes it has retained its welcoming, small college-town feel. She even coined a phrase to describe it: “Davis Nice.”
That same spirit of care and dedication shaped her professional journey and the impact she made across campus. As Associate Vice Chancellor and Controller Matt Okamoto shared, “Kobe brought commitment, professionalism, and a thoughtful approach to work each day. Her contributions have touched every corner of our campus, and she will be truly missed.”
Over more than 30 years at UC Davis, Kobe worked in five departments and progressed through eight administrative roles, making it difficult to single out just a few defining moments. Among those that stand out are being selected by Central HR Employment to participate in the UC Davis Career Opportunities advertisement in the mid-2000s that was featured in The Sacramento Bee and on the HR website, as well as being among the first participants in the MSOs for the Future pilot program launching in 2006. Both experiences provided meaningful growth, mentorship, and lasting professional relationships.
As she begins this next chapter, Kobe is most excited to devote more time to family and friends. This fall, she and her husband will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary with loved ones during a beach getaway, the first of many tropical adventures she hopes to enjoy in the years ahead. With gratitude for her time at UC Davis, Kobe looks forward to embracing retirement and all that lies ahead.