For unequivocal dedication to student success, tireless work ethic, and exceptional artistic talent that is helping create a new look and feel for the university, three California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) staff members have been honored with 2015 Staff Awards for Excellence.
The Staff Awards ceremony, which took place in the Loker Student Union Ballroom on Oct. 15, also recognized the years of service of 93 staff members. Each year the event provides a way for the university to highlight the vital role staff plays in CSUDH’s success in carrying out its mission for the benefit of the entire campus, and the diverse communities the university serves.
“This event and Staff Appreciation Day are among my favorites. It’s nice to pause and thank the people who play so many roles in the success of the campus, and a lot of that work is often unsung,” said University President J. Willie Hagan. ”Last week I had the chance to have dinner with 11 of our students at the HACU conference. Sitting around the table, I asked them how their grades were, how they got to college, and what was helping them succeed. …A number of them mentioned a faculty member, but just as many mentioned a staff member.”
Staff Award categories were created to recognize exemplary service that supports the goals and objectives in the CSUDH’s five-year strategic plan. Each nomination is reviewed by the Staff Awards and Recognition Committee, which this year selected one awardee in three categories: innovation, student success, and customer service.
The Innovation Award was presented to Laura Drake, a graphic designer in the University Communications and Public Affairs (UCPA) office. The award honors those who “use creativity and innovation to streamline and/or improve business processes and services for students and the campus community.”
“Laura uses creativity and innovation, with a great deal of success, to develop and produce university communications that have consistently been outstanding,” wrote UCPA Director Brenda Knepper in Drake’s nomination letter. “Her ability to produce highly professional and well-designed materials has contributed to enhancing the public perception of the university, as well as increased internal pride in our institution.”
One standout project that Drake has “enjoyed” designing materials for since arriving on campus in spring 2014 has been Staff Appreciation Day. She also finds working with UCPA’s graphic design interns to be rewarding.
“To see their design skills progress, and then gain employment in the industry after graduation, makes me very proud,” she said.
“It was such an honor just to be nominated. Just being appreciated means so much to me,” Drake added. “This university has been my favorite place to work during my career, and I think it has so much to do with the passion of the people who work here and the energy and mission of the university. I’m also very proud to be studying here to earn my master’s degree in humanities, and to call myself a Toro!”
Miguel Teran Lopez (’10, B.A., Chicano Studies), a History Department coordinator in the College of Arts and Humanities, received the Student Success Award for “creating and supporting an environment of teaching and learning that assists in the recruitment, transition, retention, and graduation of students.”
Lopez was nominated by Associate Professor Chris Monty, chair of the History Department.
“Miguel works diligently to help the History Department realize its goals by providing excellent service to our students. He volunteers regularly to support events that make student life meaningful and vibrant,” wrote Monty. “Miguel has completed numerous voluntary staff workshops in order to better support students, including the Safe Space Program and Mental Health First Aid training. He also works actively with a number of campus organizations that support under-represented minorities.”
“This feels great. Knowing that among all the wonderful nominees I was the one chosen,” said Lopez, who also received his five-year service award during the ceremony. “I feel very blessed and grateful that my work here at Dominguez Hills was recognized, but I’m really doing this all for the students.”
Joni Johnson (’13, M.A. English Literature), an administrative support assistant in the Child Development Program received the Customer Service Award, which recognizes staff who “demonstrate exemplary customer service for students, employees and/or guests.”
She was nominated by Kimberley Radmacher, an associated professor in the Child Development Program. She nominated Johnson in the Customer Service category because she “is committed to ensuring that students understand and receive accurate information, and helping them resolve their concerns, who in turn have told Radmacher that Johnson is “kind, compassionate, and approachable.”
“Winning the award was great. It reinforces what we do as staff members because sometimes it can feel like a thankless job. As Dr. Hagan pointed out, we’re sort of the ‘unsung’ heroes of the university, and since we are students’ first point of contact, our roles are very instrumental and important to their success,” said Johnson. “I’ve been working in the same program since I’ve been here, which is great because I love our students and I know what they will contribute a great deal to the future.”
5 years of Service
Jackie D. Haynes – Administrative Assistant, Interdisciplinary Studies/Pace, College of Arts and Humanities
Dolores G. Lopez – Division Coordinator, Staff and Management Personnel, Academic Resources, Management and Planning
Lavonne D. Norwood – Administrative Support Assistant, Faculty Affairs
Miguel A. Teran Lopez – Department Coordinator, History, College of Arts and Humanities
Raymond Chavez – Grounds Worker, Facilities Services
John Derosa – Facilities Maintenance Mechanic, Facilities Services
Carlos Funes – Custodian, Facilities Services
Evangelina Garcia – Custodian, Facilities Services
Lawrence Harris Jr. – Custodian, Facilities Services
Elaine Magee – Payroll Technician II, Payroll Services
Edward Medina IV – Parking Officer, University Police
Jennifer Reyes – Cashier, Foundation
Gary Singer – Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, University Police
Mayra V. Aguilera – Applications Scanning Processor, Admissions
Benjamin S. Cuadros – Lead Custodian, University Housing
Stephen K. Janes – KDHR Radio Station Manager, Associated Students Inc.
Patrisha A. King – Application Scanning Processor – Admissions
Rochelle Rhodes – Administrative Support Assistant, Student Health and Psychological Services
Arturo Yepez – Customer Service Supervisor, Records and Registration
Steven M. Sanchez – Operating Systems Analyst, Infrastructure Services
Loren E. Edwards – Academic Advisor, University Advisement Center
Sergio S. Pineda – Jumpstart Site Manager, Center for Service Learning, Internships and Civic Engagement
Garret Abrahamson – Electrician, Facilities Services
Martin Espinoza – Grounds Worker, Facilities Services
Tammi H. Kobayashi – Lead Teacher, Child Development Center, Associated Students Inc.
Deborah Parham – Associate Director, Disabled Student Services
10 Years of Service
Jeanette Benitez – Creative Designer/Program Support, CA STEM Institute for Innovation and Improvement, College of Education
Maya B. Medina – Administrative Support Coordinator, Academic Programs
Alma Melena – Advisor, Student Services Center, College of Health, Human Services and Nursing
Chanel Shorter – Advisor, Student Services Center, College of Arts and Humanities
Francis Bosque – Cashier, Cashiers Office
Dovie Harness – Administrative Analyst/Specialist, Accounting Services
Gerardo Martinez – Grounds Worker, Facilities Services
Kenneth M. Oden – Grounds Worker, Facilities Services
Teresa D. Ramirez-Garcia – Custodian, Facilities Services
Sheila J. Wallace – Cashier, Cashiers Office
Ferdinand M. Ocampo – IT Help Desk Consultant, User and Access Services
Michelle N. Matthews – Financial Aid Specialist, Financial Aid
Sophia S. Momand M.D. – Staff Physician, Student Health and Psychological Services
Sandra S. Rollins – Administrative Support Coordinator, Disabled Student Services
Patsy S. Tebbs – Sign Language Interpreter, Disabled Student Services
Monica Barbosa – Office Clerk, California Academic of Mathematics Sciences
Griselda Gomez – Academic Personnel Coordinator, Faculty Affairs
Mitchell T. Maki – Vice Provost, Office of the Provost
Eric Estrada – Accounts Payable Specialist, Accounts Payable
Alphonso Mann – Grounds Worker, Facilities Services
Khristine Estrada – Graduation Assistant/Diplomas, Records and Registration
15 Years of Service
Tak Yee Poon – University Webmaster, Enterprise Applications/CM
Deborah J. Douglas, Academic Affairs Financial Support Analyst, Academic Resources Management and Planning
Robert D. Downs – Coordinator, Circulation Services, University Library
Tracey M. Haney – Administrative Analyst/Specialist, Academic Programs
Lee Mann Ware – Student and Faculty Support, Business Advisement and Student Services, College of Business Administration and Public Policy
Cesar G. Mejia – Technician, Digital Media Arts, College Arts and Humanities
Peggy N. Ozaki – Assistant Director, Toro Learning Center
Orson V. Faynor – Environmental Compliance Specialist, Risk Management
Andrea M. Giordano – Student Financial Services Specialist, Student Financial Services
Andrew R. Scott – Lead Custodian, Facilities Services
Bennie Williams III – Sergeant Detective, University Police
Bernadine D. Grayer – Presidential Aide, Presidents Office
Lisa A. Hemenway, Sign Language Interpreter, Disabled Student Services
Christal J. Neal – Records Specialist, Records and Registration
Daniel Routtenberg – Field Maintenance Mechanic, University Housing
Zachaius J. Duchsherer – Lead Offset Pressman, University Printing Services
Henry A. Lopez – Painter, Facilities Services
Jenny Pham – Students Financials Accountant, Accounting Services
Ed Liao – Network Analyst, Enterprise Applications/CMS
Juan Carlos Mejia-Rivera – Financial Aid Computing Consultant, Financial Aid
20 Years of Service
Christina Baltazar – Accounting Technician, College of Extended and International Education
Elena Bonilla – Administrative/Office Coordinator, Teacher Education, College of Education
Jocelyn Jones – Program Administrator, Mediated Instruction and Distance Learning, College of Extended and International Education
Penny Roebuck-White – Administrative Coordinator/Advisor, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peace Building Program, College Arts and Humanities
Adria Edwards – HRIS/SME Analyst, Human Resources
Dolores Hendricks, Plant Operations Coordinator, Facilities Services
Ernest C. Ikner – IT Help Desk Consultant, User and Access Services
Debra K. Yoklavich – Academic Associate, College of Health, Human Services and Nursing
Diana C. Ulloa – Administrative Analyst/Specialist, College of Extended and International Education
Michael Kinoshita, Sergeant Detective, University Police
Cymbeline Ponce, Sergeant, University Police
Yuki DeSoto – Lead, Systems Analysis and Development, Enterprise applications/CMS
Kenneth Leyba – IT Consultant, Academic Technology
Jamie Leal Jr. – Assistant Director, Loker Student Union
Delores Smith Lee – Director, Financial Aid
25 Years of Service
Deidre Fisher – Payroll Technician, College of Extended and International Education
Timothy Chambers – Facilities Maintenance Mechanic, Facilities Services
Lawanda Gutierrez, Library Services Specialist, University Library
Lyda Stukes – Administrative Analyst/Specialist, Procurement, Contracts, Logistical, Facilities Leasing and Support Services
Toni Haley – Office Coordinator, Records and Registration
Lawanda Gutierrez – Library Services Specialist, University Library
Karen Carpenter – Credential Analyst, Student Services Center, College of Education
Faye Phinsee – Supervisor, Library Assistant, Inter-Library Loans, University Library
Teresa Stevens – Facilities Coordinator, College of Extended and International Education
Cynthia Brown – Duplicating Machine Operator, University Printing Services
Maria Garcia-Barajas, Telecommunications Analyst/Specialist, Telecommunications
Lan T. Lu – University Housing Facilities Coordinator, University Housing
30 Years of Service
Mario R. Congreve – Staff Producer, Mediated Instruction and Distance Learning, College of Extended and International Education
John E. Hearn – Earth Sciences Technician, College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences
35 Years of Service
Jacqueline J. McKenzie – Extension Registrar, College of Extended and International Education
Tony R. Jones – Laborer, Facilities Services
Albert Carpenter – Coordinator, Business Administration and Student Services, College of Business Administration and Public Policy
