What began as a "bold idea" in the 2017 Bold Ideas Challenge has now come to fruition in Fresno State's newest employee recognition program — High Five. Click here to read about how the program began.

High Fives are easy to give — simply go to the High Five website on the Organizational Excellence webpage, click “Give a High Five” and fill out the form to send kudos to anyone on campus. Your message will be delivered straight to their inbox, and recipients will be acknowledged weekly in Campus News.

Read below how your colleagues are going above and beyond to help the campus community.

(Note: Campus News edited comments only for misspellings and missing or incomplete words. They appear mostly as written for each employee.)

Goes Above & Beyond

Alcidia Freitas Gomes, Ag One Foundation/ Development
The agricultural community is the fabric of the Central Valley and Alcidia has quietly managed these partnerships across the state of California and beyond. The Jordan College Research Center is there because she invested many trips near the Bay Area. She loves her community and cultural heritage and shows excellent leadership and mentorship. She still has on record, stewarding the most significant gift to Fresno State, $29,442,516 million.

Amy Millis, Health and Human Services, Development Office
There have been many changes in her area; she keeps everything moving forward and benefiting our Central Valley community. Thank you, Amy!

David Hembree, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Development Office
David has shown the ability to manage Student Affairs Development for several years now. He is an excellent colleague that goes above and beyond to get things done. He has a great gift for taking the complexity out of a situation and bringing it down to plain common sense. Year in and year out, multiple contributions to Fresno State's Student Affairs come through the great work of Mr. Hembree.

Moon-Ja Yunouye, Arts and Humanities, Development Office
Moon-Ja is a quiet champion for Fresno State's Arts and Humanities. She rallies our University partners for the Day of Giving and much more. I have been impressed with her ability to know the Arts and Humanities' key stakeholders around our community. Moon-Ja has excellent customer service skills and a quiet champion work ethic.

Paula Castadio, University Advancement
I have a great deal of respect for Paula. I admire her professionalism and exceptional skills for managing diverse situations. She is an outstanding leader for Fresno State's University Advancement. Relationships attached to Fresno State are of genuine, high importance to her. You can see and hear the passion she has regarding ways to help Fresno State thrive. History will look upon her time as a Fresno State University Advancement leader. I appreciate her outstanding leadership and work ethic.

Dr. Ram Nunna, Lyles College of Engineering
Dean Nunna is one of the hardest working individuals I have been around. He is consistently managing complex demands and approaches them with a passionate heart for the community his college serves.

Tim Collins, Athletics
Despite some difficult times, Tim keeps everything in Athletics Development upbeat and moving forward. Thank you for going above and beyond, Tim!

Provides Excellent Customer Service

Becky Brown, Central Development Office
Becky has managed multiple changes in roles, but her work on the $5,000,000 gift to Fresno State was impactful. Great job!

Caty Perez, Development Office
Caty comes from our Central Valley community as a high school and college grad. She has many relationships across multiple organizations, which contribute heavily to Fresno State's fundraising goals. She is always high energy and laser focused on her goals. All of her University relationships are a text or phone call away. Impressive!

Christine Simon, Central Development Office
Christine has come into a role that involves working with multiple demands and colleges, but she keeps such a positive attitude and consistently looks at ways to help clarify information. Thanks, Christine!

Elizabeth Garvin, Planned Giving – Development
Liz is a valuable asset to our University community. She works with many people across the United States regarding potential planned gifts to Fresno State. Her pleasant and professional demeanor is a welcome gem to our University. Great Job!

Eric Maul, College of Science and Mathematics
Eric is new to our University but not to the Fresno State community. He maintains a positive attitude in all situations. Great customer service. Thanks, Eric!

Katie Adamo, Central Development and Continuing Global Education
Whether it is finding gift partners for our Veterans or other vital areas, Katie always has an upbeat attitude. The University partners she works with in our surrounding communities enjoy working with her. Great job, Katie!

Ken Boling, Traffic Operations
I see Ken virtually every morning for my COVID-19 screening. Ken is always friendly and starts my day with a little humor. It may be a little thing, but he doesn't just wait for people to approach him. He gets up and takes several steps towards the person approaching, which shows that he is there to serve. Ken is someone I enjoy seeing and who provides a good first impression.

Laura Whitehouse, Kremen School of Education and Human Development
Laura is an excellent champion for the Kremen School of Education. She tirelessly looks for ways to help improve her college's programs and projects. She has a heart for the staff, students, and young children that Kremen serves. She has shown the ability to work with multiple leadership changes as well. Keep up the great work!

Linda Landucci, Academic Resources
Linda always promptly answers any questions that I may have. She knows everything about budgets and provides very helpful advice. As someone who is new to working with budgets, her expertise is much appreciated. Thank you, Linda, for all that you do!

Micheline Golden, Social Sciences
Micheline left the Central Development Office and has been a valuable partner in Social Sciences. Thanks for your excellent customer service, Micheline.

Peter Robertson, Alumni Relations and Development
If you work with someone who knows Peter, they will have great things to say about his customer service. Peter invests in relationships and financially for the good of Fresno State. Keep up the great work, Peter!

Richard Verducci, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Development Office
Richard came to Fresno State from the San Jose area. He has joined our campus and shown professionalism both in his work. His customer service skills are valuable because he works with multiple campus locations and the Central Valley community. He is very reliable and delivers excellent customer service.

Ryan Sepulveda, Human Resources
Thank you, Ryan, for being so kind and helpful these last couple of weeks as I have reached out with various questions. Your excellent customer service is appreciated.

Shannon Fast, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Shannon shows excellent customer service working with our agricultural community and key partners in the Central Development Office. She demonstrates a positive and energetic attitude along with exceptional customer service to our Central Valley community and beyond.

Modeled Principles of Community

Academic Affairs
Thank you, Academic Affairs, for modeling our Principles of Community!

Saved My Bacon!

Jean Aguayo, Office of Budget and Resource Planning
No matter how busy she might be, Jean is always available to help. Learning to manage a budget can be overwhelming because there is so much to learn, but with Jean's guidance I have made it through my first year. Whether it's ABJs, TOPs, Data Warehouse, financial reports, etc. she knows it all. She not only informs you of what needs to be done, but thoroughly explains how to do it and why so you understand. She's a gem! I thank Jean for her patience, kindness and wonderful guidance.