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.)

Above & Beyond

Megan Barbeau — Bulldog Foundation/Athletics
As the administrative assistant for the Bulldog Foundation, Megan, "the pastry queen," introduced the "12 days of cookies" to not only the BDF staff but also to administrators and coaches in the Duncan Building. For 12 consecutive work days, she baked and provided 12 different cookie varieties. All home made ... all delicious. Thank you Megan!

Angelica Reyes — Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance
Angelica is a superstar and we are so grateful for her exceptional service. She recently assumed new duties in the Office of the Vice President for Administration and has done so with grace, confidence and a positive can-do attitude. Angelica greets guests with a positive, warm welcome; performs her duties with an eye for detail and quality; organizes events that are inclusive, special and on-budget (most recently an amazing division holiday celebration) and is an overall high achiever. She models our Principles of Community in how she interacts with others in the VP Office, students, guests, other cabinet assistants and colleagues across campus. Thank you Angelica — you are a delight and we are so lucky to have you as a part of our team!

Cathi Scherer — Technology Services
I had an issue with my phone not releasing call forwarding. She called me to make sure it was working properly. I found out afterward she did this while she was on vacation. She deserves a high five for going above and beyond for me!

Gabriel Gatchalian — Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Gabe always goes out of his way to help others and gets work done. He is an amazing graphic designer and a team player. You can always count on him to help out other staff members when needed, even if he is asked last minute, he is able to get things done and provide excellent quality work!

Jennifer Randles — Sociology
She serves in a multiplicity of roles at Fresno State. She is the chair of the UAPRS and the CPHS and chairs the Department of Sociology. She is an excellent Fresno State community member and upholds the standards of the university in all that she does!

Kori Hanson — Anthropology
Kori has, from day one, gone above and beyond with the work she does. She is never afraid to reach out for help and we can always depend on her to be there when we need her. She always has a cheerful attitude. Thank you for all the work you have done for us Kori!

Jim Paul — Financial Aid
Since I've known Jim, he has worked above and beyond to provide as much information and to make sure that my work is done correctly to reduce errors. I would like to recognize Jim for this excellence.

Marie Tongson-Fernandez — Office of Institutional Effectiveness
Marie's main strength is maximizer and it definitely shows in her work, personality and overall being. She will settle for nothing less than perfection and will stay at her desk until she achieves it, whether or not it is during working hours. I am thankful for her mentorship and friendship.

Patricia Benavides — Student Involvement
She has stepped up and taken new responsibilities in the office, goes above and beyond with her diligence. She is the real MVP!

Katelyn Spencer — University Development
Just the other day, I heard a co-worker tell her, "You did that so fast! How do you do it?" We all ask the same question!

Lori Few — CSB Accountancy
Always makes you feel good

Racheal Freeman — Facilities Management
She’s got one heck of a job with minimal help and she’s doing a great job. She works after hours and skips lunches because I get emails from her at all times of day.

Excellent Customer Service

Patricia Benavides — Student Involvement
Has a great personality, she is on top of her work, and knows how to make everyone's day. She makes everyone feel welcomed and is very personable.

Sierra Anderson — Social Science
Sierra is an analyst in the dean’s office. She is always smiling when someone walks into the office, goes out of her way to answer your questions and if she doesn’t know the answer, promises to get "right back to you." Sierra is a wonderful resource and support system for the staff in COSS.

Katelyn Spencer — University Development
She uses her positive attitude to make people feel like every question is important and every person is valuable.

Lora Kutka — Accounting Services
Lora has met with me a few times to help me resolve some accounting issues I had. She is patient and walks me through the steps. She always answers my emails and calls quickly. I understand she is very busy, but I appreciate that she always takes the time to talk to me and help me. When I have questions, she gives me thorough explanations. She has really helped me learn about accounting the CSU Fresno way. Thanks so much.

Lori Few — CSB Accountancy
Willing to help when asked

Racheal Freeman — Facilities Management
She’s receptive and makes herself available.

Annette Gallegos — Scheduling
Annette helped me out when I was unsure how to add a new course to the spring schedule. She was able to help me set up the new class and went above and beyond to show me how it's done. I know she does this all the time so it was no big deal to her, but being my first time she went slow and answered all of my questions. Thank you for your help Annette!

Si Her — Financial Aid
Si has provided me with her best knowledge and her excellent customer service. She has also gone above and beyond when providing me answers to my questions. I would like to HIGH FIVE her for excellence.

Saved My Bacon!

Sierra Anderson — College of Social Science
Sierra went above and beyond to help me review files for accuracy. She was patient and taught me key things to look for and where to find them. Thank you Sierra!

Cynthia De Leon — OCED
When I was out sick in the days before a major event, Cynthia held down the fort and made sure that the work that needed to be done continued without me. On top of her normal work, she really stepped up to manage many updates and changes, and I am so grateful that I was able to return to work on the event without a huge pile of tasks that were behind schedule.

Dolly Huitron — Academic Resources
Dolly helped me through a very tight deadline that consisted of many moving parts. Her knowledge and guidance were invaluable!

Katelyn Spencer — University Development
Katelyn will provide backup help by attending/prepping for meetings when people have to stay home with their sicks. Also, she helped give a campus tour for a new employee at the last minute to help round out the new employee's orientation.

Ivy Fitzpatrick — Liberal Studies
Ivy always covers for me when I am in a pinch. Always goes above and beyond for our students as well. Give her a high five please!

Lori Few — CSB Accountancy
Understood why I couldn't participate in a group activity.

Racheal Freeman — Facilities Management
I’ve locked myself out of my office and she comes and helps me, no problem.

Modeled the Principles of Community

Katelyn Spencer — University Development
Respectful — Katelyn is an excellent listener and open-minded thinker. Kind — she is a friendly and welcoming presence. Collaborative — she is an ideal conversation partner to troubleshoot issues with a desire of finding solutions instead of focusing on the problem. Accountable — there's never a question of when Katelyn will get work done.

Carmen Chapman — Center for Faculty Excellence
Carmen models each of the Principles of Community. She demonstrates respect, kindness, collaboration and accountability in all she does. Our office collaborates with CFE frequently and uses their space for many of our training and community building programs. Carmen greets our team and guests with kindness and steps up to assist whenever needed. She is friendly, reliable, positive and gracious — an asset to CFE and the entire campus. Way to go Carmen and thanks for being a great colleague and partner. You have helped make CFE a welcoming space for all!