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Staff Recognition Award Recipients
2025-26 Staff Recognition Award Recipients
Much of our success at Cal Poly Humboldt depends on the dedication, experience, and skill of our staff members. For more than three decades, the annual Staff Recognition Awards program has recognized meritorious staff members at Humboldt. Congratulations to the 2025-26 award recipients!
Lori Cortez-Regan, Academic Advisor, Academic Advising Center
Lori Cortez-Regan is a beloved, trusted advisor and colleague. Her years of experience at Humboldt make her a go-to resource for fellow advisors, staff, and faculty. She is always willing to jump in and help, often leading projects, and is always student-centered. She is always professional, compassionate, and collaborative, and it is a joy to work with her.
Isabelle Eddisford, Enrollment Services Specialist, Office of the Registrar
Isabelle is an exceptional seven‑year staff member whose expertise in institutional policy and unwavering professionalism support both routine and high‑stakes processes in registration and enrollment. She goes above and beyond when serving students, supporting student assistants, training new staff, strengthening officewide operations, and approaching every complex situation with precision, compassion, and a commitment to inclusivity. Her leadership extends across campus through her work with the High School Scholars program, the Fee Waiver program, and the Gender Diversity Task Force, all of which benefit from her collaborative spirit and dedication to expanding access to education.
Thomas Elliott, Coordinator, Place-Based Learning Communities
Thomas Elliott brings an extraordinary blend of innovation, precision, and heart to everything he does in his work with the Place-Based Learning Communities office. His deep institutional knowledge strengthens our systems, from enrollment and budgeting to faculty support, while his commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and thoughtful mentorship ensures our work reflects the values we stand for at Cal Poly Humboldt. He leads with care, integrity, and attention to detail, and colleagues across campus consistently speak to how impactful, collaborative, and genuinely great he is to work with.
Alison Hodges, Lead Academic Advisor, Academic Advising Center
Ali Hodges is passionate about her role as an academic advisor and is dedicated to improving processes and training around academic recovery and advising. Ali has taken a key role as a lead advisor in implementing programs and changes to improve campus-wide advising. Ali humanizes the need to support students with care and empathy while they work to rebuild their academic careers. She is also quick to jump at opportunities to collaborate on ongoing projects and is always willing to mentor or answer questions from other advisors. Ali is a pleasure to work with and is a valued member of the advising family.
Tracey Hubbard, Student Services Professional, Financial Aid Department
Tracey Hubbard demonstrated exemplary leadership and innovation during the assistant director's maternity leave, ensuring the Financial Aid office's seamless operation. Her mentorship and commitment to service are evident in her proactive training sessions and collaborative efforts to optimize workflow, fostering a unified and efficient team. Tracey's dedication to ethics, social justice, and resource stewardship highlights her invaluable contributions to the office's success.
Keshnee Naidoo, Secondary/Elementary Education Program Coordinator, School of Education
Keshnee Naidoo has demonstrated her leadership in advancing equity-focused educator preparation, strengthening mentorship through teacher residency programs, and expanding access through strategic recruitment and grant support. As an Equity Fellow with the CSU Center for Transformational Educator Preparation Programs, she collaborates across the CSU system to reimagine and strengthen educator preparation. Her campus and statewide impact reflect a deep commitment to social justice and sustainable program development.
Jeremy Nichols, Academic Department Coordinator II, Departments of Critical Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Native American Studies
What distinguishes Jeremy Nichols most is not only how much he has learned, but how quickly and confidently he has applied that knowledge in the service of both departments. His initiative, reliability, and commitment to excellence make him an outstanding recipient for this recognition.
Fernando Paz, Campus and Community Development Coordinator and Equity Arcata Co-Manager, Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Fernando Paz has demonstrated that his service to the University exemplifies mentorship, innovation, and sustained commitment to ethical, equity-centered service. Through his past leadership of El Centro Académico Cultural and his current role in the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, he has built strong, trust-centered relationships that support culturally responsive practices for student success and belonging, particularly for Hispanic and Latine students, faculty, and staff. Fernando is a collaborative leader who actively advances equity and inclusion through cross-campus partnerships, workshops, and dynamic community engagement. His work reflects a deep commitment to social justice and sustainability, as he develops programs and systems that strengthen long-term institutional capacity for inclusive excellence at Cal Poly Humboldt and our greater community.
Santana J., Student Services Professional, Financial Aid Department
Santana J. deserves this award for his exceptional ability to seamlessly transition roles, innovative problem-solving, and dedication to mentorship within the Financial Aid office. His proactive approach and commitment to continuous learning have not only ensured a smooth office transition but also enriched the knowledge and skills of new staff members. Santana's service-oriented mindset and ethical leadership have significantly contributed to the team's success and sustainability efforts.
Valerie Sinco, Student Services Professional, Financial Aid Department
Valerie Sinco’s innovative leadership and exceptional mentorship have significantly enhanced the Federal Work Study Program, fostering meaningful opportunities for students and strengthening cross-departmental collaborations. Her dedication to service, commitment to ethics and social justice, and efforts in sustainability have not only improved program efficiency but also positively impacted the institution and community. Recognized with the Kick Axe Attitude Award, Valerie exemplifies the values of teamwork, resource stewardship, and a passion for uplifting others.
Past Award Recipients
Richard Alvarez, Diving Safety Officer, School of Applied Health
Drew Barrett, Assistant Project Manager, Facilities Management—Planning, Design & Construction
Shannon Berge, Academic Advisor, Academic Advising Center
Alyssa Hughlett, Graduate Programs Coordinator & Administrative Analyst, College of Arts Humanities & Social Sciences
Santiago Menjivar, Production Analysis, Gutswurrak Student Activities Center
Ines Morales, Fellow Support Coordinator, Center for Community Based Learning—College Corps
Maxine Mota, Interim Tutor Coordinator, The Learning Center
Kaitlin O'Brien, Campus Events Coordinator, Conference & Events Services
Emily Oparowski, Direct Support Lead, Information Technology Services
Peter Zerkel, SPF Accounts Payable Lead, Accounts Payable
Aubrey Emmons, Administrative Support Coordinator, Redwood Coast K-16 Educational Collaborative
Benjamin Funke, Instructional Support Technician, Sculpture, Department of Art + Film
Bernie Levy, Special Education Program Coordinator, School of Education
Deserie Donae, was: Registrar of The College of Extended Education now: Director of Enrollment and OLLI, The College of Extended Education
Elizabeth Lujan, Student Financial Analyst, Student Financial Services
Jennifer Gomes, Lead Dispatcher/Records Manager, University Police Department
Jim Woodhead, Studio Art Technician, Department of Art + Film
Kimberly Vincent-Layton, Educational Developer, Center for Teaching & Learning
Kristen Radecsky, Senior Research Engineer, Schatz Energy Research Center
Laurie Marx, Department Coordinator, Department of Geology
Marisa "Meeka" Day, Scene Shop Technician/Scenic Painter, Department of Dance, Music & Theatre
Marissa "Mari" Holguin, Transfer Coordinator, Office of the Registrar
Stacy Becker, Community Partner Coordinator, Center for Community Based Learning
Sulaina Banks, Visit Experience Coordinator, Office of Admissions
Gillian Black, Academic Advisor, Academic & Career Advising Center
Kim Coughlin-Lamphear, Accessibility Advisor, Student Disability Resource Center
Shannon Collart, Advancement Events Coordinator, University Advancement
Kelly Fortner, Student Support Coordinator, Center for Community Based Learning
Brec Ronis, Administrative Support Coordinator, Art + Film
Kali Rothrock, CARE Services Case Manager, Office of the Dean of Students
Douglas Smith, Coordinator, Umoja Center for Pan African Student Excellence
Rene Smith, Department Coordinator, Anthropology; Geography, Environment & Spatial Analysis; World Languages & Cultures; Center for Translation & Interpretation
Peggy Stewart, Administrative Support Assistant; Environmental Studies; Environment & Community M.A.; History; International Studies; Politics; Religious Studies
Anna Thaler, Academic Advisor, Academic & Career Advising Center
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
Jessica Citti, Learning Center
Kristina Hunt, Academic & Career Advising Center
Rob Keever, Dean of Students Office
Pamela Kirschner, Office of Student Life
Samantha (Sammi) Martinez, Retention through Academic Mentoring Program
Nora Montoya, Academic & Career Advising Center
Janeth Serrano, Financial Aid
Laura Sullivan, Student Medical Services
Nicki Viso,Title IX & Discrimination, Harassment, & Retaliation Prevention
Susan Wright, Department of Biological Sciences
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
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
Travis Fleming, Facilities Management
Sei Hee Hwang, Academic & Career Advising Center
Gay Hylton, Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Molly Kresl, Clubs & Activities Office
Pedro Martinez, Facilities Management
Steve Monk, Marine Lab & Biology Department
Kelda Quintana, Academic & Career Advising Center
Debra Ryerson, Theatre, Film & Dance
Paula Tripp-Allen, Native American Center of Academic Excellence
Erika Wright, Sponsored Programs Foundation
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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 & Data Science
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