We hope you enjoy this series where we meet and get to know employees from across campus. Would you like to be featured? Contact us at campusnews@csufresno.edu.

Name: Christine Simon
Title: Executive Assistant
Department: University Development
Academic Degrees: B.A. in theatre arts — acting, minor in history from Fresno State; M.B.A. in business administration (in progress).

How long you have worked at Fresno State: Three years in University Development and four years working in a variety of student roles on campus back in the day. I'm so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have on-campus employment during my undergraduate years and to be mentored by such amazing supervisors with a passion for their work and their community.

What is your most notable accomplishment in your field, and why was it important? My most notable accomplishment centers around that old adage, "necessity breeds innovation." While I was still new in my career, I wrote and presented a feasibility study to an advising committee of the board at a previous institution. Due to a shortage in staffing and funds, I researched and wrote the study myself ... despite the fact that I had zero experience in business planning or writing. I received accolades for the report and even better: one of the readers was so moved by my findings, he gave a five-figure gift that day in order to renovate our student lounge. Since then, I've been obsessed with the power of reporting data and the written word to inspire action.

What are you most passionate about in your field and why? I enjoy seeing our gifted and creative staff approach their work in their own unique way. I believe people shine when they can bring their own perspectives and giftings to the table; so I am passionate about creating systems that provide accountability to reach our goals and to address unnecssary obstacles that keep people from shining their brightest.

What is a memorable moment you had at your job? I enjoy onboarding new employees to campus and teaching them their role based on each individual's learning preference. I used to teach theatre and film, so I enjoy the opportunity to refresh my skills and create space for our new Bulldogs to understand the "why" behind our systems and to share our best practices.

Christine with her daughter

What do you like to do for fun in your spare time? In the rare moment you've caught me with free time, I'm probably driving up to Shaver to spend quality time with family, doing yoga, listening to an audiobook, baking cookies, or reorganizing a closet ... again.

Christine with her son

What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know? After graduating from Fresno State, I was training to become a dramaturg. It was my job to help directors, writers, and the production team improve their storytelling and enhance the audience members' experience of the show. As the daughter of entrepreneurial business owners, I've always loved working with visionary leaders to transform ideas into reality.