Please join Dean Dr. Michelle DenBeste and the College of Social Sciences in thanking Fabiola “Fabby” Alvarez for her many years of exemplary service.

After 20 years in different departments on campus and in different capacities, Fabby has announced her retirement from Fresno State due to health reasons.

She graduated from Fresno State in the Fall of 1997 and began working in the Chicano and Latin American Studies Department as a temporary employee in January ​1998. Five months later, she accepted a permanent position.

Over the years, Fabby was an Administrative Support Coordinator in the College of Social Sciences’ Development Office, to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, in the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and was assistant to the Dean in the College of Social Sciences. She became an analyst in the College of Social Sciences Dean’s Office in July 2014.

Fabby says she loved working on-campus because helping people always brought joy to her heart.

“When students, faculty, and community members would call the office to ask questions, I made it my goal to give them the answer they needed and not transfer them to another office," she said. "I started as a student assistant in the Dean's Office so when I started as an ASC, faculty and staff treated me like a family member. CLAS was like a second home to me. They embraced me with respect and care. Because of them I became who I am now.”

Her most memorable experience is volunteering for the Latino Commencement Celebration. She volunteered as a student and then participated in the ceremony. She saw the event grow from 250 participants in the Fresno State football field to filling up the Save Mart Center with more than 900 graduates and thousands of family members.

Fabby expressed her gratitude to the college for the support, "My family and I are so grateful to the faculty, staff, and student assistants who supported me through my transitions. Your kind words did so much to lift my spirit. Now, I must take this precious opportunity to fully heal and care for myself."

Fabby will be greatly missed both personally and professionally in the College of Social Sciences and campus wide. She will always remain a cherished and valued member of the COSS family. Please join us in thanking her and wishing her well.

College of Social Sciences