Otter Strength Awards
This program is a new way for us to recognize our colleagues and peers who exemplify one of the nine core Cal State Monterey Bay values, and it is easy to nominate a staff, faculty, or MPP who exemplifies one of these values.
The nine values are:
- Student-centeredness
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Creativity and Innovation
- Integrity, Accountability, and Mutual Respect
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Service and Civic Engagement
- Sustainability
- Global Orientation
- Health and Wellness
Everyone who is nominated will receive an Otter Strength Award certificate via email and a sticker, with their manager and HR notified of the award. Those who are nominated will be eligible for random drawings throughout the year. Then, once a month, HR will select up to five Otters to be highlighted on the Otter Strength Awards program website and recognized in a new section of Inside CSUMB. HR will review all submissions and then will select those to be recognized at random.
To nominate a colleague and share how they regularly exemplify one of our nine core values, click the ‘Recognize an Otter’ button.
Otter Nominee Spotlight
Please note that the spotlight nominations represent only a fraction of the incredible nominations we received. Check out the randomly selected spotlight nominations for the month below.
Otter Nominee Recognized By Recognized For Description Otter Title Otter Department Rob Weiher Anonymous Student-centeredness Going above and beyond to support our Otter Students! Associate Registrar Office of the Registrar Dorian Davis Mary Jo Zenk Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect Dorian solves problems! He is very customer oriented and finds solutions that work for customers while maintaining the integrity of the accounting system and the grants requirements. And he has done this despite being constantly understaffed in his department. Post Award Manager Post Award Otter Nominee Recognized By Recognized For Description Otter Title Otter Department Tom Horvath Jordan Leininger Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect Tom has gone above and beyond to ensure that the College of Science is compliant with NAGPRA & CalNAGPRA. No other dean has displayed such Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect when it comes to NAGPRA & CalNAGPRA compliance. Thank you so much for all your support! Interim Dean of the College of Science College of Science Carmen Ramirez Gladys Cabadas Student-centeredness Carmen is truly dedicated to her students through her proactive communication and helpful approach, ensuring students are aware of their resources, opportunities and enroll in the right classes. Carmen is always welcoming and positive, encouraging her students so they feel valued and supported. She is a great asset to our team! Academic Advisor Center for Advising & Student Success Ashley Owens Amanda da Graca Intellectual Curiosity In my short time here I have witnessed Ashley rise to any challenge put in front of her. She has often spoken of her desire to learn more so as to grow in her role and take on more responsibilities. I know she has been working hard on her degree, along with taking frequent trainings and webinars to further develop her skill set. She inspires me to strive for more in my professional development and reminds me to be curious and keep learning. I am lucky to have her as a colleague. Data Integrity Coordinator Advancement Services Reese Shetrone Kyle Jordan Creativity and Innovation Reese is a consummate professional. He's always focused on efficiency, saving money on projects, and ensuring the highest quality outcomes. His dedication to teamwork and leadership makes him a valued collaborator who consistently drives success. Reese's innovative thinking and problem-solving skills allow him to tackle challenges with confidence, and his attitude inspires those around him. His commitment to excellence truly sets him apart. Associate Director of Facilities Services, Operations and Utilities
Facilities Management Department Shelby Scoggin Terilynn Bench Harris Creativity and Innovation Since joining SDAC in July, Shelby has made an immediate positive impact to our team. She took the lead on a number of projects and urgent responsibilities immediately, which has made a notable difference for SDAC. Shelby demonstrates creativity and innovation as she looks at our physical and digital properties and made a number of recommendations and enhancements. She is appreciated for all she does! Operations Analyst
Student Disability and Accessibility Center Otter Nominee Recognized By Recognized For Description Otter Title Otter Department Susanne Rodriguez Enid Ryce Creativity and Innovation Susanne Rodriguez works tirelessly to find even the most difficult and hidden resources to ensure our students and faculty have access to the very best materials. This work elevates the student experience and expands the research capacities at CSUMB. She uses creative and innovative techniques to find elusive texts. She is an investigator of the highest order, and her work ensures that we deliver a unique and outstanding unique and outstanding academic experience. Interlibrary Loan Specialist Library Terry Simon Giselle Young Student-centeredness Terry's role as Residency Specialist in the admissions office requires detailed review of critical documentation and often requires direct communication with students in order to ensure accuracy in verifying and making a final decision. The work is tedious and timing is critical to providing new students with important information as they enter CSUMB for their first semester. Terry never loses sight of the value of the work that she does. Although she may not be able to provide the decision that the students are hoping for, she communicates residency decisions with clarity and respect for each individual and their situation. Terry's enthusiasm in support of each new student is infectious and she never loses sight of the reason we are all here... to support each Otter. Residency Specialist Admissions Office Nicole Hollingsworth Jordan Leininger Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect Nicole deserves to be recognized for her Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect. During her President's Designees meetings, Nicole is one of the few designees to stand up for her campus and fellow employees rights. This is especially difficult when most of the designees are against what she stands for. In this instance, Nicole stood up to them because what they were proposing was wrong and illegal. Due to Nicole's diligence, it paid off. Thank you you for all of your determination, hard work, and dedication to this campus! Director of Governmental and External Relations Office of the President Justin Matthews Christine Rosales Creativity and Innovation Dr. Matthews has been an exceptional research mentor to his students, both in his lab and outside. He inspires students' curiosity and opens avenues for them to become excited about research and statistics. Especially for our mutual students who identify as queer, they frequently share with me how much Dr. Matthews has created space for them to feel a sense of belonging at CSUMB and lean into their identity as a researcher. Anyone who can make learning statistics and research less scary is an outstanding educator and research mentor. Also, after my job talk back in 2019, Dr. Matthews made me feel good about my research and raised intellectual insights that were meaningful and thoughtful. Associate Professor Psychology Preetika Mani Nicole Hollingsworth Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect Preetika has stepped up in a big way to help with the very important process of responding to Public Records Acts requests on behalf of the university; she is the point person for most information being requested and always gets the info in a timely manner. And she's overall a pleasure to work with! Manager of Finance Administrative Support Services AVP Finance Otter Nominee Recognized By Recognized For Description Otter Title Otter Department Shawna Gannon Anonymous Student-centeredness Shawna selflessly goes above and beyond the job description for the good of the students, staff and faculty. Her background as a graduate of CSUMB, as well as her 18 years as a CSUMB staff member, makes her an invaluable resource for the Education and Leadership Department. Shawna is always willing to figure out ways to streamline procedures to increase efficiency, even if it means taking on additional responsibilities. She is not afraid to change old processes to solve current problems. She is a team player, and we are fortunate to have her historical CSUMB knowledge, skills, and abilities in our department. Admissions Counselor Education and Leadership Kayla Bell Vanya Quiñones Creativity and Innovation Kayla's exceptional dedication to CSUMB's social media presence has yielded remarkable results. Through her strategic and tireless efforts across multiple platforms, she not only met but exceeded the initial goal of 25,000 followers well ahead of schedule. This success prompted the establishment of an even more ambitious target of 30,000 followers. Kayla's commitment to excellence is evident in her consistent delivery of engaging, fresh content on a weekly basis. Her keen understanding of each platform's unique audience ensures that every post resonates deeply with viewers, fostering genuine connections and meaningful interactions. Kayla's work significantly enhances CSUMB's brand recognition. Pub Affairs/Comm Spec University Communications Denise Tambasco Nicole Hollingsworth Service and Civic Engagement Denise has gone above and beyond to assist students with voter registration and information events. We have had our best year yet of civic engagement on campus! Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Development Student Activities & Leadership Development Mercedes Maciel Juan Gonzalez Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect I am honored to nominate Mercedes Maciel for the Otter Strength Award. Since joining our college as the Administrative Support Coordinator II for the Performing and Visual Arts department, Mercedes has consistently demonstrated integrity, accountability, and mutual respect in her interactions. Her intellectual curiosity shines through as she eagerly seeks to understand the nuances of her role and the processes within our college, asking insightful questions and completing tasks with precision and positivity. Although she’s been with us for just over two months, her dedication to growing her knowledge and contributing meaningfully to both the department and the college is truly appreciated. Administrative Support Coordinator Dept of Performing & Visual Arts Kelsey Nordstrom-Sanchez Hayley Azevedo Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect Kelsey demonstrated exceptional initiative by directly contacting YouTube and submitting a privacy report to facilitate the removal of a problematic video. Her proactive approach underscores her unwavering commitment to CSUMB and her dedication to supporting her campus colleagues. Her leadership in addressing this issue exemplifies the kind of teamwork and responsibility that makes our community formidable. Kelsey makes our RAFT stronger. Research and Instruction Librarian Library Otter Nominee Recognized By Recognized For Description Otter Title Otter Department Tritia Moneypenny Pamela Motoike Service and Civic Engagement Tritia Moneypenny coordinates the service learning partnerships with 435 partner sites, 65 faculty and 2,750 students each academic year. Because each CSUMB student engages in service learning at least once in their academic career, Tritia is instrumental in providing the infrastructure that is necessary for meaningful and successful service learning experiences. Through her work of managing the S4 database, Tritia ensures that our students have the necessary agreements, risk management documents, and evaluation documents that our students, faculty, and community partners depend upon. Not only does she reply to each inquiry with competence and knowledge, she creates processes and communication protocols that simplify and clarify. Her work is invaluable to the smooth functioning of the complex task of managing service learning experiences for all Otters and she sets the standard for clear communication and responsiveness. Coordinator of Community Partnerships Service Learning Institute Sydney Ontiveros Kayla Rolicheck Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect Sydney has been a integral part of the School of Computing and Design during her 7 years as an ASC. Her dedication, proactive problem solving, and warm, joyful spirit have made her the go-to person for countless colleagues. As she transitions into her new role as Senior Administrative Analyst in the College of Business, her legacy will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on SCD and I'm confident she will bring great things to COB. Congratulations, Sydney - you'll do amazing things in this next chapter! Administrative Support Coordinator II College of Business Otter Nominee Recognized By Recognized For Description Otter Title Otter Department Jill Talley Jordan Leininger Service and Civic Engagement On Saturday, November 30th, Jill and I had the privilege of attending the Joint Council on Indigenous Allyship in Education. I am incredibly grateful for Jill's commitment to this important event. Despite it being a holiday weekend, Jill not only attended but also brought a warmth and positivity that resonated deeply with the Tribal Elders present.
As a university, we’ve been working to strengthen our relationship with the local Tribes, and Jill played a key role in furthering this goal. Her thoughtful insights, particularly when discussing how our university can contribute to teaching California Native American histories, were invaluable. She truly “nailed it,” offering ideas and perspectives that aligned with the spirit of collaboration and respect we aim to cultivate.
Jill's willingness to participate, even on a holiday weekend, and her sincere engagement in this work made a profound impact. Her presence and actions are helping us build lasting relationships with our local Native American Tribes, and her contribution cannot be overstated.
Jill, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your dedication and for making such a meaningful difference. Your support and involvement in this initiative are deeply appreciated. Thank you for all that you do!
Assistant Professor Education and Leadership Zach Hendry Melissa Anderson Student-centeredness Zach has done a great job of improving communication to residential students and is creative in his presentation of important information. He has streamlined messaging and works well with other stakeholders on campus who review student communications. Comm and Digital Media Specialist Residential Life Julia Guzman Terilynn Bench Harris on behalf of SDAC Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect As a member of the assignments team, Julia has provided exceptional service to SDAC and our students. She is always responsive, thoughtful, and compassionate in assisting with our many requests in order to best support our student population. All of us at SDAC appreciate her and know that anything that comes her way will be handled with care and professionalism. Thank you for all you do, Julia! Coordinator for Occupancy Management Student Housing and Residential Life Otter Nominee Recognized By Recognized For Description Otter Title Otter Department Jose Pablo (J.P.) Dundore-Arias Nate Jue Student-centeredness J.P. is exemplary in so many of our CSUMB values, but his commitment and advocacy for students is truly exceptional. He works tirelessly to provide opportunities at an individual level through mentorship in his lab, at a course level through his impactful teaching practices, at programmatic level through his leadership of the AGPS program and at a University level for this work in the community and service to the University. He has been award numerous research grants that have supported student researchers, established broader programs at CSUMB that support student opportunities in research and professional experiences, developed new curricula, and is a consistent advocate for his students. J.P. is truly an example of Otter Strength. Associate Professor/Program Coordinator for AGPS Biology and Chemistry Olegario Fernandez Michal-Anne Miller Creativity and Innovation The FMD Team faced the challenge of transforming Mountain Hall Suite B101 into a functional and professional space for Student Cashiering, all within a tight timeline and with limited resources. Rising to the occasion, Ole and his team delivered outstanding results that exceeded expectations!
Ole’s innovative solutions played a pivotal role throughout the project. From repurposing materials to finding a solution to making the cashier cage secure from a safety perspective, his creativity and problem-solving were evident at every step. The finished space not only looks professional but also serves the needs of students and staff effectively.
Ole’s leadership and dedication ensured this project's success. We are incredibly grateful for his hard work and the FMD Team’s commitment to excellence.
Facilities Project Supervisor Plant Operations Crescenda Zuccaro Karen Myers-Bowman Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect Crescenda was an integral member of the Dean of CHSHS search committee. Her well-informed and thoughtful insights added an important perspective to the process. She brought a wealth of experience and an attitude of collaboration that helped this search come to a successful conclusion. I so appreciate Crescendas dedication and commitment to the college and university. Thank you for your contributions, Crescenda! You make CSUMB a better place. Administrative Analyst/Specialist Health Sciences & Human Services Alyssa Erikson Karen Myers-Bowman Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect Alyssa made an outstanding contribution to the search committee for the Dean of CHSHS. She was always prepared, added important perspectives and observations, maintained and fostered a positive approach during meetings, represented the College with professionalism and enthusiasm to the candidates, and was a delight to work with. Thank you, Alyssa, for your collaboration and positive attitude. You make a difference at CSUMB! Professor / Nursing Chair Nursing