When Covid-19 struck the nation and particularly, the Central Valley, students, staff, faculty and alumni from Fresno State’s Lyles College of Engineering worked together to make face shields to meet the needs of health care workers.

Staff like administrative service lead Zaida Reyna ordered supplies, detached hundreds of 3D printed head bands by hand, and made sure the team had food and water to continue production.

“It was absolutely a group effort,” Reyna said. “The students were on campus every day and we wanted to make sure they had the necessary support to continue their efforts to meet the goal of 1,000 face shields.”

Reyna also saw the need for face masks for those still working in the college as well as her friends, family, neighbors and businesses in her own community in Sanger, where she resides.

“They were sold out in the stores and online. People needed masks and I wanted to help keep everyone safe from this dangerous virus,” she said. “Sewing is a passion of mine, so it was easy for me to help in any way I could.”

Two beneficiaries of Reyna’s work included mechanical engineering students Noah Haworth and Anderson Medina. The two students were working several hours a day, taking shifts in Engineering West in the Lyles College where they were producing face shields. Just before they officially graduated with their BS degrees, Reyna brought them specially made masks celebrating their graduation.

“I wanted to recognize and acknowledge the sacrifice they made during a difficult time and being a graduating Lyles College student, I thought it would be nice to make them an extra mask that said, “Class of 2020, Fresno State,” she said.

She says that between her Fresno State community and personal community, so far, she has dedicated nearly 100 hours to making 350 masks.

“The teamwork and support from the dean’s office staff, including Zaida, was instrumental to the success of the Fresno State protective personal equipment production project,” said Haworth. “Zaida was proactive in giving her assistance whenever and wherever possible. She is also an extremely kind person. She handmade custom Fresno State graduation masks for all the graduating students working on this project like me. Although we didn’t get to walk this year, it meant a lot that she would go out of her way to think of us.”

In addition to sewing and craft making Reyna also enjoys time in the outdoors such as camping and riding quads with her family.

She and her husband, David, celebrated 36 years of marriage in May. They have three children. Nicholas, 32, a lab technician at BSK Labs. Isaac, 31, works at Clovis Community College as an outreach specialist. Giannah, 20, is attending Clovis Community College. They also have two grandchildren, Marik, 8, and Maviah, 3.

She has been at Fresno State since 2001 and worked in the Dean’s Office in the Lyles College since 2013. Reyna has also held positions in Evaluations, University Outreach and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Campus News asked Reyna a few questions about her time at Fresno State and what it means to be a Bulldog.

What do you love most about Fresno State?
It embraces diversity.

Who in your family is affiliated with Fresno State?
My son, Isaac, received his B.A. in Communications, M.S. in Counseling (K-12), M.A. in Education-Higher Education, Administration and Leadership and is currently pursuing his credential is Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) from Fresno State.

My niece, Linda Garza, is Head Coach for the Fresno State softball program. We are very proud of both of them.

Would you consider yourself and/or your family 'Bulldog Born and Bulldog Bred?'
Absolutely! Not only did my son graduate from here, but I try to participate in all the campus events and attend games as much as we can. Although I was born in a small town in Texas called Weslaco, I was raised here since the age of 2.

Any stories while at Fresno State that have made an impact on you?
What strikes with me most is being on campus and finding out about the 9/11/01 attacks. It was so heartbreaking, so many lives were lost. But, the Fresno State community stayed strong and persevered by providing support to one-another. I feel like when there’s crisis, that’s what we do. Kind of like what’s happening now with the pandemic. We’re sticking together and staying strong.

I also witnessed the building of the Save Mart Center, the Henry Madden Library, and the engineering college name change to the Lyles College of Engineering. But most of all, being a part of our students' educational experience. Seeing them and providing support as they walk in as a freshman and leave as with a B.S. degree or continue onto their M.S. degree is so wonderful to be a part of.

Why do you believe Fresno State is a great organization to work for? To attend school?
I believe Fresno State is a great organization to work for because even if you don’t necessarily talk to one another, you never feel quite alone because of the sense of community. It’s extremely diverse and in great support of celebrating diverse cultures. There are lots of resources for our students, faculty and staff. And I am comforted by knowing that we truly care about our student’s best interest.