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

Brenda Garcia, Upward Bound Programs
I would like to thank Brenda for her perseverance and dedication to our team and students! In the short time that I have been here, she has grown tremendously and I admire her for living the mission of Upward Bound Programs. Faced with many obstacles, Brenda was still able to make this Virtual Summer Program a success. Words cannot describe the many more positive things I could say, but to keep this short, she is an AWESOME boss!

Martina Granados, Outreach and Special Programs
Thank you Martina for always being a resource to all that have the honor of working with you. I have never met anyone that exudes the energy it takes to make everyone around them feel so supported. You are the ROCK that holds our building together! I hope to continue to learn from you as long as I can.

Martin Alvarado, Admissions and Recruitment
Martin has gone above and beyond in many ways. He works on campus some days and telecommutes other days. No matter what, when asked if he can help with a favor, he is always there to assist. He makes sure that things still get completed on campus while others telecommute even if it is not his job. He will run to the warehouse, pick up mail, run items between offices and assist front desk operations. He is a trusting and dedicated person who you can count on no matter what!

Raquel Garcia, Catering
Raquel Garcia from University Catering is an example of excellent customer service. She is always serving our university community with a very kind attitude and a welcoming smile. Thank you so much Señora Garcia for all your hard work!

Lynn Pappace, Admissions and Recruitment

Janelle Blayney, College of Health and Human Services Advising and Career Development Center
The last few months have been very challenging for everyone. Janelle has worked through all of this with amazing grit and determination and has risen above and beyond in the work she has accomplished. Especially when it comes to our Peer Mentor Program and probation program development, I have been consistently impressed with the work that she is doing and continues to do. We are very lucky to have her with us.

Johana Arellano, College of Health and Human Services Advising and Career Development Center
The last few months have been very challenging for everyone. Johana has worked exceptionally hard in the work she has accomplished. I would highlight our Peer Mentor Program and probation program development as examples of what she has helped create with one of her fellow counselors. Her collaboration and continued hard work has shown through these last couple of months. I have been very impressed with the hard work that she is doing and continues to do. Our program is better because of her.

Mary Willis, Career Development
Mary's primary responsibilities include helping to foster quality internship courses and experiences for Fresno State students. A big part of her job is related to risk management and complying with CSU guidelines and executive orders. Over the last two years, Mary has worked hard to improve risk management compliance for not only internships but for all experiential learning placements. Most recently, she has been instrumental in writing and revising the University's phased plan for ramping up clinical, practicum, credential, internships and service-learning placements. Her expertise and collaborative nature have been key to our University developing a thoughtful, comprehensive plan.

Kelci Goss, University Advising Center
Kelci plays an essential role with Dog Days and the program could not run without her. She is student centered and cares deeply for the Dog Days Orientation Leaders. New student orientation does not successfully occur without her contributions.

Tiffany Burmeister, Warehouse & Property Services
Tiffany is one of the people that is keeping this place running and a main contact/liaison for vendors to connect with the rest of the school — she is helping all of us while much of the world around her has shut down. Thanks to her and all of the warehouse staff.

Kevin Medeiros, Brand Strategy and Marketing
When University Advancement needed a survey on short notice, Kevin jumped in and took on the project with positive and quick responses to emails. His skill in Google Forms was just what we needed to create a survey with different sections and question/response formats. He made edits, and more edits, and was helpful and responsive throughout the process. He offered insightful recommendations. It was a pleasure working with Kevin, and I am grateful for his help!

Provides Excellent Customer Service

Juan Solis, Technology Services
Juan is always responsive to questions in a timely manner (no matter how ignorant the question may be). He has setup a DocuSign form that has saved me hours of time from trying to get signatures. He is always willing to do more and often offers to do so. I just want him to know he is appreciated.

Saved my Bacon!

Lisa Kao, Environmental Health and Safety and Risk Management
As we prepare for fall 2020, our office is working to navigate a complicated array of new risk management procedures and forms related to service-learning courses. Lisa has been a huge help by quickly and expertly revising training videos and forms for use across campus so that they are tailored for service-learning. Thanks to her, the process will be simplified for faculty members and students while allowing the University to meet all campus, CSU and California guidelines!

Models the Principles of Community

Claudia Ceja, Social Work Education
Claudia embodies and models the Principles of Community (respectful, kind, collaborative and accountability) every day with faculty, staff and students. She is respectful and kind to all. She is collaborative and has a strong work ethics. Her positive attitude, professionalism and dependability makes her exceptional.

Pearl Fraijo, Social Work Education
Pearl is consistently respectful, kind, collaborative and accountable. She has a strong work ethic and a positive attitude.