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

Monica Acosta, Continuing and Global Education
Monica is the hardest worker I know. She is always going "above and beyond" for our students and our team members. She has worked countless hours to provide the best service to our students during this uncertain time. I am lucky to call her a coworker and friend!

Eric West, Technology Services
Eric always supports commencement and does incredible work for Fresno State. This past weekend, he worked with Student Involvement and others to put on a Virtual Graduation Party for our graduates. This alternative to commencement was innovative, dynamic, and required Eric's skills and talents. Nearly 300 students were in attendance and stayed logged on for the two-hour event. We could not have done it without Eric West!

Dr. Julie Olson-Buchanan, Craig School of Business
Dean Olson-Buchanan went above and beyond when I expressed my concerns about teaching face to face in a class of 300 students when COVID started to spread. She listened empathetically and immediately took my questions/concerns to CSU leadership. With a new baby at home, it was nice having such a supportive dean and knowing that I wouldn't be put at risk. We're lucky to have her!

Dolly Lopez, Library
Dolly is user/student focus-service in her daily work. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and not afraid of challenges. Thank you, Dolly for your service to our library faculty assembly. Your inputs, suggestions and ideas are greatly appreciated and valued.

Sue Shaw, Division of Administration and Finance
Shout out to Sue Shaw for going above and beyond on a very last minute request. When posed the question that most people would cringe at ... “Do you know how to do pivot tables in Excel?” She overwhelming exclaimed, “Yes, I love working with them!” She expertly generated the pivot tables within the hour. Not only am I grateful for her expertise and enthusiasm, I am quite enthralled in her love for pivot tables! Hear, hear for Sue Shaw!

Irene Perez, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
While most of the staff in our office are working remotely, Irene continues to work from the office and is generous enough to pick up orders for our office from the mail room and University warehouse. I truly appreciate her willingness to support our team through her flexibility and positive attitude.

Kia Thomas, Kinesiology
During this changing and difficult time that we are facing, she has gone beyond in making sure that our faculty and staff have what they need to continue to do their work. She is in constant contact with us, to answer any questions we may have. I appreciate all her hard work to help make our department successful.

Lynn Pappace, Admissions and Recruitment

Jay Fowler, Technology Services

Department
Dining Services
Dining Services has provided ongoing free meals for us onsite departments and will continue to do so over the summer. We are so appreciative of this great service they offer. It is highly appreciated by the employees who are on the front lines.

Provides Excellent Customer Service

Chris Langer, Library
Thank you, Chris for your service to our library faculty assembly. Your inputs, suggestions and ideas are appreciated and valued.

Britt Foster, Library
Thank you, Britt for your service to our library faculty assembly. Your inputs, suggestions and ideas are appreciated and valued. Keep up the good work!

Antoinette Castanon, Accounting Services
Antoinette has been awesome to work with in our new collaboration which resulted from our work from home transition. She assists with voicemails left on the main line who have questions regarding accounting services. Antoinette not only provides the callers with a fast response but she has excellent follow through that I not only admire but appreciate. Antoinette has been a pleasure to work with!

Brian Cotham, Procurement and Support Services
Brian has been a tremendous help this end of the year! I had a lot of questions regarding budgets and end of year processes and Brian ensured that they were all answered. He is prompt and is very approachable. Thank you Brian!

Mary Owens, Procurement and Support Services
Mary is amazing! I had a lot of questions regarding some processes and she was more than willing to help. She checked in on me to ensure that I had everything I needed. She has been such a delight to work with, and has made this transition so much easier for everyone in our office. Thank you Mary!

Jim Paul, Financial Aid and Scholarships
Jim provides excellent customer service both externally (students and their families) and internally (within the office). He is always willing to jump in and help his teammates whenever needed, be it help with processing or cover a phone appointment. We recently had a student call into this office and told our customer service rep "I spoke to Jim, he is super helpful super nice guy!" We appreciate how Jim takes care of our students!

Department
Financial Aid and Scholarships
The Financial Aid and Scholarships office has really ramped up their service to students these past few months. Students are now able to upload documents by their phone and can chat with the office. Their social media has also been great, providing timely and important notifications. In addition, I appreciate that the financial aid office has an email now which has been so helpful. Thank you to everyone in the financial aid office who has made student service a priority.

Models the Principles of Community

Irene Perez, EOP
Irene has a huge heart and cares deeply about her colleagues and students. Recently, the Renaissance Scholars Program was asking for help with a student's need. Irene jumped in fully to help the student. She even took extra time to carefully look for just the right item for the student in need. She wasn't satisfied with getting the student just any item. She wanted to get the student the best! She cares about our office, too. She has been helpful with whatever needs to be done, never complaining and being extra careful about the health and safety of her office mates. It is so nice to work with someone so caring!

Eileen Schlundt, Technology Services
Eileen's kindness was shown by her patient and supportive attitude in helping me to get set up for working remotely. And as always, she communicates with the utmost respect no matter how many times I have to reach out to her for help.

Department
Continuing and Global Education
From my initial contact with Teresa securing a meeting space, to David’s technical expertise; from Frank, Monica, and Tracy helping to haul items to the meeting room, to everyone (including student assistants) helping me search for my keys, your kind, collaborative spirit shone through. It felt like I was returning home after a long journey. Immense thanks for all your help those two days back in March as we worked together to support the greater good of the University.

Accounting Services
Before COVID the Accounting Services group had personally provided me excellent customer service. After COVID, the whole group lead by Cynthia Hanks and her hardworking staff: Anna Andalon, Evangelina Owens and Brandon Mcfarland have been working to do more than accounting paperwork, taking the time to talk and understand our problems and how can things get solved, showing empathy and understanding despite the current situation. I am glad to say that even talking to them over the phone helps me to talk to real human person when we are physically isolated. I think that the whole group is composed by kind, respectful and collaborative individuals, and as accountant, highly accountable, all traits of the Principles of Community at Fresno State.