2022/23 Award Recipients
Top (left to right): Gillian Black, Kim Coughlin-Lamphear, Shannon Collart, Kelly Fortner, Brec Ronis - Bottom (left to right): Kali Rothrock, Douglas Smith, Rene Smith, Peggy Stewart, Anna Thaler
- Gillian Black, Academic Advisor, Academic & Career Advising Center
For almost 10 years now Gilly has been working tirelessly to support students through the rigors of earning a degree in the College of Natural Resources and Sciences by creating a more inclusive environment.
- Kim Coughlin-Lamphear, Accessibility Advisor, Student Disability Resource Center
Most of the accomplishments I have mentioned above are beyond the scope of Kim’s job description, and have been initiated with her characteristic enthusiasm and willingness to go above and beyond for the benefit of our students. That’s why Kim deserves recognition as an outstanding staff member and asset to the whole campus community. Thank you, Kim!
- Shannon Collart, Advancement Events Coordinator, University Advancement
In every aspect of her work, she shows ongoing devotion to the University and its principles. Colleagues and coworkers consistently show excitement to work with her, enjoyment of the spirit she brings to every endeavor, and appreciation for her contribution to the result. In my 9 years as a staff member, I have not encountered anyone so deserving of this recognition.
- Kelly Fortner, Student Support Coordinator, Center for Community Based Learning
"In all aspects, Kelly is both a hard-working staff member and valiant proponent of the benefits of community-based learning. They serve students diligently, equitably and respectfully to make sure their community experiences are successful, and they are supported with a strong understanding of their career paths. In this year’s transition for the CCBL program, Kelly provides critical support for these programs and has stepped up to assist with many tasks once covered by other staff. In all realms, Kelly is a delight and honor to work with - they has a sunny disposition and “can-do” attitude that is contagious, and lifts the team’s spirits even when the going is rough."
- Brec Ronis, Administrative Support Coordinator, Art + Film
As ASC for the largest department in CAHSS, Brec Ronis is both highly effective and efficient in her job, while also being incredibly kind and personable. She has very successfully navigated the merger of the Departments of Art and Film - folding her now increased and even more complex duties seamlessly into her workflow. She creates a welcoming environment for all of the students, staff, and faculty that she interacts with on a daily basis, and is central to the successful functioning of our program.
- Kali Rothrock, CARE Services Case Manager, Office of the Dean of Students
It takes a strong willed and compassionate individual to address complex and challenging issues on campus such as prevention of sexualized violence and basic needs but Kali has never shied away from being a leader in advocating for these areas. Kali will go out of her way to meet and present to others to better serve our campus which makes her one of the most accessible resources our campus has to offer.
- Douglas Smith, Coordinator, Umoja Center for Pan African Student Excellence
As student Jaguar Smith sums up, “Douglas goes above and beyond to show his love and support for his community and has set the bar for how we must interact with, support, and engage with one another. Every day I see Doug maintain a positive attitude, despite the obstacles he or others may face, and seeing that allows everyone around him to continue moving forward with faith and resilience. I am honored and privileged to work with a person such as Douglas Smith, and aspire to be the positive, uplifting, and transformative leader that he has proven to be. I am grateful for the time that I have been able to work alongside Doug and know that no one is more deserving of this award than he."
- Rene Smith, Department Coordinator, Anthropology; Geography, Environment & Spatial Analysis; World Languages & Cultures; Center for Translation & Interpretation
René has shown an exceptional ability to cope with challenging transition and increasing workloads while maintaining excellent collegial relationships at all levels of engagement that has led to consistent stability for students, faculty and staff despite myriad challenges of the last few years. René goes above and beyond the call of duty to mentor other ASCs and ASAs, in addition to being a consistent asset for the CAHSS dean’s office that has seen a complete turnover of staff and administration in the last year. Her responsiveness, communication skills, and professionalism is a model for us all.
- Peggy Stewart, Administrative Support Assistant; Environmental Studies; Environment & Community M.A.; History; International Studies; Politics; Religious Studies
Peggy Stewart has, for 13 years now, gone well above and beyond the requirements of her job. She has done so with grace and with humility, with generosity and with clarity, and she has done so in the context of organizational instability, staffing shortages, and increased workload. This is the third time our programs have nominated Peggy for a staff recognition award. In the interest of equity and justice, the faculty of Peggy’s six academic departments would love to double her pay. Since we cannot do that, we are unanimously in strong support of her work being recognized and celebrated through this award.
- Anna Thaler, Academic Advisor, Academic & Career Advising Center
Anna works tirelessly to promote student success through their dedication to their advisees, campus collaborations and creating a more inclusive environment.
2021/22 Award Recipients
Alexander Bippus
Jessica Citti
Kristina Hunt
Rob Keever
Pamela Kirschner
Samantha (Sammi) Martinez
Nora Montoya
Janeth Serrano
Laura Sullivan
Nicki Viso
Susan Wright
*This year there are 11 award recipients as there was a tie for the 10th spot.
Alexander Bippus, Indian Natural Resources Science and Engineering Program + Diversity in STEM
Alex Bippus is an asset to Cal Poly Humboldt students through their natural mentorship abilities, an asset to the INRSEP+ program, and an asset to Cal Poly Humboldt. Through one-on-one student mentoring, INRSEP+ team work, cross university collaborations, and community engagement, they have demonstrated they are truly an exemplary employee.
Jessica Citti, Learning Center
Humboldt is very fortunate to have Dr. Citti as a staff member on our campus. They approach every challenge and opportunity with great thoughtfulness, collaborative spirit, and student-centeredness that is truly amazing. Dr. Citti is a model to Humboldt students. They are kind, professional, collegial, curious, equitable, and collaborative. I believe they embody what we hope Humboldt students will become as future graduates.
Kristina Hunt, Academic and Career Advising Center
Kristina is dedicated and devoted to student success. She is a fabulous co-worker, team player and career services advocate. She is always to take on new challenges and responsibilities and does so with grace and great attitude.
Rob Keever, Dean of Students Office
Rob is an amazing colleague and champion of student support. Rob has created and started many initiatives to institutionalize and systematically change how our campus supports students. Rob is an invaluable resource and an asset to the university.
Pamela Kirschner, Office of Student Life
She is kind, optimistic, and incredibly hard working. Pam has been thrown hurdle after hurdle that she overcomes with intentional optimism while also challenging the process to ensure it best serves our students and the university.
Samantha (Sammi) Martinez, Retention through Academic Mentoring Program
Sammi channels her lived experiences as an Humboldt alumnus, STEM graduate, first-generation Native woman into a free-flowing, yet strategic style of support and guidance for each of the 25-30 mentors hired each year. She focuses on supporting, respectfully guiding and accompanying student leaders in their development as scholars and paraprofessionals. As a result, the spaces they share with peers across campus create interactions which support the students’ ongoing work towards successful navigation of the university. In addition, her insight and perspective into how RAMP can aspire to contribute to the university’s goals regarding our persistent equity gaps are crucial to the program.
Nora Montoya, Academic and Career Advising Center
Nora is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic, personal and professional goals. She is an attentive listener, caring and thoughtful career advisor. She is always willing to help with a project, brings thoughtful ideas, and is a great team player and collaborator.
Janeth Serrano, Financial Aid
Janeth is a role model of a high performing employee, working mother, community leader and mentor to many who are attracted to her servant leadership, passion and desire to make a lasting impact. She is a lovely person inside and out.
Laura Sullivan, Student Medical Services
The SHC lab COULD NOT have stayed fully operational during the pandemic, and while short-staffed, without Laura's willingness and ability to rise to the occasion and provide the necessary leadership! Laura is a true asset to the Student Health Center, to campus, and to the student patients receiving care.
Nicki Viso,Title IX & Discrimination, Harassment, & Retaliation Prevention
Nicki's particular penchant for transparency, care, and collaboration is not only worth recognition, but also a key component of increased efforts to make Cal Poly Humboldt a more safe and aware place where current and potential students can gain access to affordable, high-quality education that is responsive to the needs of a fast-changing world.
Susan Wright, Department of Biological Sciences
What stands out about Susan, is the way that she does her job. Her tone and attitude toward the students, staff, faculty and the University itself is incredibly supportive, compassionate, and positive, while her work ethic is driven and conscientious. Susan Wright is an exceptional employee of Cal Poly Humboldt! Susan has shown dedication to the students and all their efforts. She has become an invaluable asset to the department and is involved with school administrative tasks. She has proved time and time again to be reliable, caring, and knowledgeable.
To honor our Award recipients, there will be a private luncheon hosted by President Jackson and Staff Council. More details about this private event will be communicated soon with our recipients!
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Staff Recognition Awards process, including a very special thank you to the President’s Office staff, to each person who took time to nominate a staff member, and to our 2021/22 Staff Council members who conducted the review of all nominations. And a big shout out to our incredible Cal Poly Humboldt staff members who do outstanding work to support our campus community and continue to lift each other up each day. Thank you!
Academic Year 2020-21
Yvonne Doble, Social Work Field Education
Marlette Grant-Jackson, Native American Center for Academic Excellence/Indian Tribal & Educational Personnel Program
Michelle Miyamoto, Learning Center
Amie Rodriquez, Testing Center
Karen Selin, MD, Student Health & Wellbeing Services
Michael Serrano, Facilities Management
Melea Smith, Youth Educational Services
Annette Troxel, College of Professional Studies
Corrina Wells, School of Education
Sabrina Zink, Risk Management & Safety Services
Academic Year 2019-2020
2019-2020 Staff Recognition Award recipients with President Jackson on the far left and Staff Council President Jessica Welch on the far right.
Susan Brater, Sponsored Programs Foundation
Liz Deck, Youth Educational Services
Kyle Leitzke, Academic & Career Advising
Raven Palomera, HSI Stem (not pictured)
Courtney Proctor, Academic Personnel Services (not pictured)
Betsy Rogers, Academic & Career Advising
Danielle Trapkus, Environmental Science Management & Oceanography
Jaime Tripp-Carter, Housing
Kumi Watanabe-Schock, Library
Travis Williams, Development
Academic Year 2018-2019
Academic Year 2017-2018
Seth Bradley, Office of the Dean of Students
Lorna Bryant, KHSU
Leo Canez, Office of Admissions
Krista Carroll, School of Business
Loren Collins, Academic & Career Advising Center, Center for Community Based Learning
Amy Davies, Facilities Management
Izabella Gray, Contracts & Procurement
Lonyx Landry, Indian Natural Resources, Science and Engineering
Jay Schock, Financial Aid
Arianna Thobaben, Learning Center
Academic Year 2016-17
Sarah Bacio, RAMP Coordinator, Retention
Shannon Berge, Administrative Support Coordinator, Academic & Career Advising
Ravin Craig, Assistant, Health Education
Maricela Escalante-Torres, Coordinator, Testing Center
Katlin Overeem, Coordinator, STEM Collaborative
Chris Rutter, Custodian, Facilities Management
Amanda Staack, Administrative Support, MultiCultural Center, CCAE
Elizabeth Tellez, Administrative Analyst, Housing
Kumi Watanabe-Schock, Library Services Specialist, Library
Linda Wilson, Administrative Support Coordinator, Politics & History
Academic Year 2015-16
Shannon Childs, Athletic Trainer, Athletics
Jennifer Dyke, Director, UpwardBound
Kacie Flynn, Office Manager, Sponsored Programs Foundation
Jim Harding, Budget Analyst, College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Michael Le, Research Analyst, Institutional Research and Planning
Amy Martin, Development Coordinator, Academic and Career Advising Center
Kelly Mathson, Administrative Support Coordinator, Music
Gina Pierce, Budget Analyst, College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Sylvia Shively, Assistant Controller, Accounting
Jackie Wiedemann, Nurse Practitioner, Health Center
Academic Year 2014 - 2015
Jana Ashbrook, Housing & Dining Services
Stacy Becker, Center for Service Learning & Academic Internships
Mary Ann Brown, Dining Services
Travis Brunner, Office of the Registrar
Mary Comella, Chemistry Department, Physics & Astronomy Department.
Teresa Cox, Facilities Management
Mira Friedman, Health Education & Health Center
Greg Granoff, Department of Music
Jeff Robison, Facilities Maintenance
John Smith, Facilities Maintenance
Fall 2013
Annie Bolick-Floss, Center for Service Learning & Academic Internships
Michelle Conover, Facilities Maintenance
Jeremy Davis, Housing
Anthony Desch, Fisheries & Wildlife
Kim Hall, Veterans & Enrollment Transition Services
Ward Headstrom, Institutional Research
Lisa Lewis, Telecommunications & Networking Services
Laurie Maxwell-Chamberlain, Library
Jerry Saner, Facilities Maintenance for Sustainability
Steve Tillinghast, Geology
Fall 2012
Dan Cleaves, ITS User Support
Shannon Collart, Academic Personnel
Tyler Hooker, Physics and Astronomy
Dave Hoskins, MarineLab
Kenna Kay Hyatt, World Languages & Cultures; Native American Studies; Critical Race, Gender & Sexual Studies
Tim Kohberger, ITS User Support
Carmela Paradise, Education
Lisa Perry, College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Marty Reed, Biological Sciences
Jennifer Slye-Moore, Art
Fall 2011
Kellie Jo Brown, Marketing & Communications
Mason Long, Desktop IT
Lewis McCrigler, Biological Sciences
Leila Moreno, Housing
Allison Oakland, Schatz Energy Research Center
Bethany Rizzardi, ITS Project Office
Julie Tucker, College of Natural Resources and Sciences
Cade Webb, ITS Specialized Apps
Colin Wingfield, Environmental Resources Engineering & Geology
Andrea Yip, Biological Sciences
Fall 2010
Holly Freitas, Housing/Dining
Valerie Green, Registrar’s Office
Janelle Jackson, University Police Department
Beth Kabat, Shipping/Receiving
Melissa Koval, Academic Personnel Services
Glenda Rotherham, Student Financial Services
Linda Sherwood, Plant Operations
Mary Jo Sweeters, Environmental Resources Engineering
Liz Weaver, Biological Sciences
Jeanne Wielgus, Desktop IT
Fall 2009
John Adorador, Desktop IT
Val Arizzi, Geology/Geography
Denise Giltzow, Human Resources
Romi Hitchcock-Tinseth, Admissions
Grace Kerr, Extended Education
Steve Ladwig, EOP
Cherry Ouellette, Career Center
Keith Reagan, Library
Belinda Trageser, Plant Operations
Cheryl Wheeler, Music
Fall 2008
Jodie Baker, Academic Programs & Undergraduate Studies
Robin Bencie, Biological Sciences
Shelley Cook, Payroll
Mary Ann Evans, Contracts, Procurement and Risk Management
Leslie Farrar, Marine Lab
Sherry Jones-Deffenderfer, Academic Personnel Services
Su Karl, Learning Center
Dan Pambianco, Athletics
Linda Sabot, Plant Operations
Kate Stroup, Student Affairs
Fall 2007
Tamar Danufsky, Wildlife Museum
Dana Deason, Advising Center
Mary Hackett, Geography
Diane Hunt, Psychology
Patti Carlson, Financial Aid
Jerri Jones, Multicultural Center
Kevin Simmons, EOP & Student Support Services
Cai Stuart-Maver, Learning Center
Susan Peck, Payroll
David Pryor, Plant Operations
Fall 2006
Angela Brown, Institute for River Ecosystems
Richard Bruce, Department of Psychology
Donna Clark, Learning Center
Cathy David, University Library
Steve Gubanez, Housing, Maintenance Department
David Rowe, Common Management System
Andrea Schwandt-Arbogast, Web Office / Webmaster
Tracy Smith, Educational Opportunity Program / Student Support Services
Sergio Torres, Plant Operations, Custodial
Phil Zastrow, Indian Teacher & Educational Personnel Program
2004/05 Academic Year
Adrienne Colegrove-Raymond, Student Academic Services Outreach Program
Deborah Coles, Housing & Dining Services
Michelle Dostal, College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Katherine Granfield, Fiscal Affairs
Mark Hendricks, University Computing Services
Kenneth Johnson, Housing & Dining Services
David Marshall, College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Glen Nagy, Department of Theatre, Film and Dance
Cassandra Tex, Student Disability Resource Center
Joan Van Duzer, College of Professional Studies
2003/04 Academic Year
Mike Bradley, University Computing Services
Elizabeth Brunner, Registrar's Office
Marlette Grant-Jackson, Indian Teacher and Educational Personnel Program
Aleli Lawson, University Police
Rita Limmer, Housing
Janice McFarlan, Financial Aid Accounting
Monika Newman, Health & Physical Education
Riley Quarles, Courseware Development Center
Kevin Russell, Plant Operations
Linda Wilson, Department of History, Government & Politics
2002/03 Academic Year
Mary Jo Bates, College of Professional Studies
Betty Braver, Student Health Center
Teri Bronder-Lewis, Department of Communication
Barb Duca, College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Kim Glory, University Police Department
Mary Greta, Academic Senate
Stephen Lee, Plant Operations
Justin Loch, College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
2001/02 Academic Year
Carolyn Dentler, Department of Anthropology/Sociology
Maggie Gainer, Research & Graduate Studies
Rick Garcia, Telecommunication & Network Services
Christi Hawkins-Smith, College of Professional Studies
David Hoskins, Marine Lab
Rebecca Kalal, Admissions
Tom Mendenhall, Library
Sandi O'Dell, Student Health Center
Mary Stuart, Y.E.S.
2000/01 Academic Year
June Camozzi, Library
Margaret Cole, College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Tim Griggs, Plant Operations
Lisa Jackson, Information Technology Services
Lynn Johnson, Department of Health & Physical Education
Jeremy Ketelsen, Instructional Media Services
Kay Libolt, Student Life & New Student Programs
Betty Newman, Physical Services
George Pease, Forestry & Watershed
Cheryl Satter, Department of Mathematics
1999/2000 Academic Year
Valerie Andres, Associated Students
Camellia Armstrong, Housing
Anthony Baker, Department of Biological Sciences
Jim Brown, Plant Operations
Elizabeth Zo Devine, Center for Indian Community Development
Greg Granoff, Department of Music
Carol Hansen, College of Natural Resources & Sciences
Nancy Kelly, Academic Affairs
Mary Thomas, Dining Services
Cynthia Werner, Research & Graduate Studies