For enabling staff to better address students’ health needs, passionately helping fellow students along their academic paths, and customer service that greatly improves campus proficiency, four California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) staff members have been honored with 2016 Staff Awards for Excellence.
The Staff Awards ceremony, which took place in the Loker Student Union Ballroom on Oct. 5, also recognized the years of service of 102 staff members. Each year the university recognizes “exemplary service,” and the vital and numerous roles staff play–from physical plant staff, to academic advisers, to support coordinators–in CSUDH’s success in carrying out its mission on campus and within the communities it serves.
“As you know, we celebrate a lot of things on this campus–our diversity, the success of our faculty and students–but I think an event like this when we celebrate the contributions of our staff is one of the more important things we stop and take time to do,” said university President J. Willie Hagan. “I want to remind you all that you are part of an unbreakable chain [going back decades] that really helps this campus get it done.”
The Staff Award categories: innovation, student success, and customer service were created to recognize those who support the goals and objectives in the CSUDH’s five-year strategic plan.
The “Innovation Award” went to two Toros this year: Rosie Colman, administrative support assistant, and Laura Castillo, administrative support coordinator–who both work in the Student Health Center and Psychological Services Department. They were recognized for improving computer operations and helping the center better support student health.
“It brought me joy and tears to my eyes that both of us were being recognized for an in-house project that consumed most of our work day for the past year. I couldn’t stop smiling!” said Coleman, who worked with Castillo to launch new software that incorporates patient scheduling and electronic health records. “I enjoy being here and look forward to coming to work every day.”
Castillo tackled the psychological services component of the project, setting up an entire electronic health record, and converting paper charts to digital records, according to Irina Gaal, the health center’s chief of medical services.
“As a staff member at the Student Health Center, I come to work with the intent of giving 100 percent every day, and I hope that my contributions benefit both our students, as well as the entire university,” said Castillo. “So being presented this award was a very proud moment for me.”
Miami Gelvezon-Gatpandan, coordinator at the Center for Service Learning, Internships and Civic Engagement (SLICE), was honored with the “Student Success Award” for helping and encouraging CSUDH students to work hard to reach their academic goals. She was also awarded for serving as a mentor for high school interns in the International Trade Education Programs (ITEP), and for helping students “develop excellent work habits,” and learn the various processes involved in running a multi-dimensional program.
“The students inspire me. I wake up every morning thankful and blessed to work with them. I am blessed to have the opportunity to learn the stories behind their faces, and it is my motivation to work hard and improve,” said Gelvezon-Gatpandan. “At the end of the day, I feel our purpose is to serve others, and this job gives me the opportunity to fulfill that purpose.”
“Customer Service Award” winner John Tamura, contracts specialist in CSUDH’s Procurement, Contracts, Logistical, and Support Services Department, is a “popular person” on campus who was recognized for his professionalism, and his empathetic, courteous, and accessible working style. He was also praised during the awards ceremony for his proficiency in helping others understand the rules, regulations, and policies regarding contracts, purchasing and campus-affiliated agreements.
“I literally fell out of my seat [when my name was called], and it took me a few seconds to register the moment. I am honored and blessed to know that the students, faculty, and staff think highly of me,” said Tamura. “This award reminds me of the important commitment I have to serve the university, and I will do my best to meet and exceed expectations.”
Years of Service Recipients:
Division of Academic Affairs
5 YEARS
- Judith Aguirre, Research Compliance Officer Graduate Studies & Research Ruben Caputo, Lead Marketing Media Producer School Leadership Program CASLA, College of Education
- Jherilyn Crisostomo, Advisor Liberal Studies, College of Education
- Violeta Diaz, Administrative Support Coordinator Computer Science, College of Natural & Behavioral Sciences
- Shirley Jones, Special Sessions Coordinator College of Extended & International Education
- Chia Yu Lin, Instructional Support Technician Biology, College of Natural & Behavioral Sciences
- Cindy Medina, Project Coordinator STEM Teachers in Advanced Residency & Master Teacher Fellows Program, College of Education
- Oscar Ochoa, Grant Administrator Graduate Writing Institute for Excellence
- Lynda Rodriguez, Administrative Support Coordinator English, College of Arts & Humanities
- Johna Taylor, Administrative Analyst/Specialist University Library
- Jennifer Tippie, Lead Data and Communication Coordinator School Leadership Program CASLA, College of Education
10 YEARS
- Vanessa Cervantes, Graduate Studies Coordinator Graduate Studies & Research
- Betty Ramirez, Administrative Coordinator College of Business Administration & Public Policy
- Elisabeth Rollo, Administrative Support Coordinator Orthotics & Prosthetics, College of Health, Human Services & Nursing
- Hamoud Salhi, Associate Dean College of Natural & Behavioral Sciences
- Tomanika Taylor, Department Coordinator Psychology, College of Natural & Behavioral Sciences
15 YEARS
- Anne DeLuca, Administrative Analyst/Specialist College of Arts & Humanities
- Maribel Garcia, ProgramAdmissionsEvaluatorStudentServicesCenter, College of Education
- Diana Lopez, Administrative Support Coordinator Liberal Studies, College of Education
- Jeanette Perez, ProgramAdmissionsEvaluatorStudentServicesCenter, College of Education
- Neisha Rhodes, Executive Assistant to the Provost Office of the Provost
- Connie Tirambulo, Extension Programs Associate College of Extended & International Education
20 YEARS
- Tony Costanzo, Academic Coordinator College of Extended & International Education
- Rodrick A. Hay, Interim Provost and Vice President Academic Affairs
- Yvette Nava, Senior Analyst, Academic Scheduling & Facilities Office of the Provost
25 YEARS
- Robert Smith Broadcast Engineer Mediated Instruction & Distance Learning, College of Extended & International Education
30 YEARS
- Pete Van Hamersveld Acting Director Institutional Research
35 YEARS
- Collen Arceneaux Library Services Specialist, Circulation Services University Library
- David Inafuku Instructional Support Assistant Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Natural & Behavioral Sciences
40 YEARS
- Shirley Arceneaux Administrative Analyst Specialist College of Education
Division of Administration & Finance
5 YEARS
- Roland Ayala, Facilities Worker Facilities Services
- Derrick Bagley, Cook Campus Dining Services
- Enrique Galan-Ibanez, Cook Campus Dining Services
- Fernando Goncalves, Groundsworker Facilities Services
- Lawrence Kimaara, Manager Business Process Management & Internal Audit
- Richard Lyon III, Facilities Maintenance Mechanic Facilities Services
- Cesar Mejia Gomez, Facilities Maintenance Mechanic Facilities Services
- Brian Mikos, Refrigeration Mechanic Facilities Services
- Jon Nissen, Facilities Project Supervisor Facilities Services
- Kenneth Seeton, Central Plant Operations Manager/Energy Manager Facilities Services
- Jose Luis Vargas, Painter Facilities Services
- Carlos Velez, Chief of Police University Police
- Michael Williams, Groundsworker Facilities Services
10 YEARS
- Claudius Clarke, Custodian Facilities Services
- Eric Martinez, Police Dispatcher University Police
- Carlos Monzon, Electrician Facilities Services
- Thien Pham, Lead Groundsworker Facilities Services
- Angela Phan, Accountant Accounting Services
- Monica Ponce, Workforce Planning & HR Operations Manager Human Resources
- Lois Segoviano, Custodian Facilities Services
- Chrisgen Whitfield, Student Financial Services Specialist Student Financial Services
15 YEARS
- Nora Arias, Custodian Facilities Services
- Vanessa Banks, Payroll Technician Payroll Services
- Nora Diza, Plant Operations Office Assistant Facilities Services
- Byron Hudson, Custodian Facilities Services
- Joe Medina, Collections Representative Student Financial Services
- Susie Mirasol, Assistant to the Chief of Police University Police
- Juan Perez, Corporal University Police Clarence Perkinson, Custodian Facilities Services
- Bradley Potter, Lead Carpenter Facilities Services
- Gloria Ramirez, Custodian Facilities Services
- Iris Talactac, Accounts Payable Specialist Accounts Payable
20 YEARS
- Richard Chester, Director of Commercial Operations Campus Dining Services
- Delia Diego, Office Manager Campus Dining Services
- Mary Gallegos, Lead Custodian Facilities Services
- Derrick Hinton, Lead Custodian Facilities Services
- Peter Keller, Caterer Campus Dining Services
- Fernando Rodriguez, Accounting Technician Foundation
- Robert Stockler, Plumber Facilities Services
- Tab Tolbert, Cook Campus Dining Services
- Patricia Young, Accounting Technician Foundation
35 YEARS
- Cheryl Anderson Parking Specialist University Police
Division of Information Technology
5 YEARS
- Eren Erener, Network Analyst Infrastructure & Production Services
- Abdul Hameed Raja Mohamed, Mobile Applications Developer Enterprise Applications
10 YEARS
- Tonya Belcher, Fiscal Analyst Service & Financial Management
- Michael Kelley, Lead Operations Systems Analyst Enterprise Applications
15 YEARS
- Reza Boroon, Lead Instructional Technologist Academic Technology
- Khiem Ha, Programmer Analyst Enterprise Applications
20 YEARS
- Mahabub Alam, Lead Network Analyst Infrastructure & Production Services
25 YEARS
- Nathlyn Hirohama Technical Project Cooridnator Finance & Project Management
Division of Student Affairs
5 YEARS
- Alyse Freeman, Application/Scanning Processor Admissions
- Venus Lee, Complex Coordinator University Housing Services
- Damesha McKnight, Reservations Coordinator Loker Student Union
- Xiomara Melendez, Assistant Director Outreach & School Relations
- Cecilia Ortiz, Director Loker Student Union
- Saul Soria, Admissions Evaluator Admissions
- Reina Watkins, Administrative Analyst Office of the Vice President
10 YEARS
- Adrienne Jones, Assistant Director, Fiscal Operations Financial Aid
- Michelle Kikuchi, Licensed Vocational Nurse Student Health & Psychological Services
- Theo Mai, Records & Registration Specialist Records & Registration
- Susana Montano, Facilities & Conference Assistant Coordinator University Housing Services
- John Stigar, Facilities Engineer Loker Student Union
15 YEARS
- Myeshia Boxley, Graduation Evaluator Records & Registration
- Jackeline Chavez, Events and Visitor’s Center Coordinator University Outreach & School Relations
- Shamshad Elimu, Executive Assistant Associated Students, Inc.
- Irina Gaal, Chief of Medical Services Student Health & Psychological Services
- Rosa Ornelas, Financial Aid Counselor Financial Aid
20 YEARS
- Michael Smith, Assistant Director University Outreach & School Relations
25 YEARS
- Yolanda Hurte Administrative Support Coordinator University Outreach & School Relations
- Ayesha Marcel Administrative Operations Coordinator University Housing Services
35 YEARS
- Pilar Simi Outreach Counselor University Outreach & School Relations
Division of University Advancement
5 YEARS
- Khaleah Bradshaw, Assistant Director External and Community Relations
- Jeffrey Poltorak, Associate Vice President Development
