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 Tiffany Grau Robert Cubillas Creativity and Innovation Tiffany consistently makes herself available to assist anyone and everyone. Her exceptional ability to think divergently and generate novel solutions sets her apart from the rest. She is frequently engaged in designing and developing dynamic, user-friendly templates not only for our department but also for various other departments. Tiffany's creativity, innovation, and sharp problem-solving skills contribute significantly to the success of our projects. Moreover, her willingness, positive outlook, and patience serve as exemplary qualities that enhance the overall collaborative environment. Senior Budget Analyst Budget Office Robyn DoCanto Jennifer Berberian Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Robyn goes above and beyond to make sure no student at CSUMB goes hungry. Robyn is also inclusive to all students; making sure no group is left out. Robyn made sure that the Hub offers sensory hours for Otters who shop best under those circumstances. Robyn encourages all students to come to the Hub. She has made the Hub a welcoming space for ALL CSUMB students and her hard work and compassion deserves to be recognized. Basic Needs Program Coordinator Student Services Haven Brearton Vanessa Gonzales Service & Civic Engagement Ms. Brearton is a dedicated & formally designated lead volunteer for the Kindness Closet, a local community-serving nonprofit providing gently used clothes to Monterey County residents. She also serves as a Board Member for All In Monterey County, working together with The Food Bank for Monterey County and Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. Making it possible to provide our community with essential needs such as groceries, personal hygiene items, clothes, household items, and most importantly kindness.
Ms. Brearton also founded and maintains Otter Bites, a food pantry in Ocean Hall offering groceries to food-insecure students / staff / faculty. Her quiet leadership is an inspiration to the CSUMB community!
Staff - Administrative Support Coordinator II Health, Human Services and Public Policy Maria Gurrola Renie Rondon-Jackson Student-centeredness Dr. Gurrola demonstrates her student-centeredness by her unending support of the students in the program. She advertises her "open-door" policy and that is not just talk. Dr. Gurrola makes every attempt to attend all student lead events. Last and certainly not least, Dr. Gurrola is always on the hunt for grants to support students' scholarship. Her goal is for 100% of our students to leave our program debt free. Professor
Department Chair AY
Social Work Gloria Panuco Torres Dan Burfeind Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect I am thrilled to nominate Gloria for the College Values Recognition Award, a colleague whose unwavering commitment to Integrity, Accountability, and Mutual Respect has significantly enriched our Raft. As a role model for her students, Gloria's dedication and hard work serve as a source of inspiration, fostering an environment where both colleagues and students thrive. She embodies the values of Integrity, demonstrating honesty and ethical conduct in every endeavor. Gloria's accountability is evident in her proactive approach to responsibilities, ensuring the successful completion of tasks that benefit us all. Moreover, her profound commitment to Mutual Respect creates a sense of unity, making her the glue that connects us and keeps our focus firmly on the students. Her impact on our campus is undeniable, and her contributions resonate with the core values that define our institution. SELD-Office and Service Analyst Student Engagement & Leadership Development Otter Nominee Recognized By Recognized For Description Otter Title Otter Department Jeff Ransel Joshelyn Martin Student-centeredness Jeff has repeatedly gone above and beyond for the CSUMB community and shown both a commitment and dedication to all of our students on-campus. From serving as a Guardian Scholars mentor to bringing to life Otter Thursdays, Jeff is constantly working on providing support to students directly and indirectly through the execution of many engagement opportunities. What showcases Jeff's focus on students the most is how he makes sure to keep them at the center of all decision making. For example, not only does Jeff spend much of his time, both within and outside of working hours, present at campus events, but he puts in concerted effort to getting to know the students present. Jeff builds relationships with our students in a way that build rapport and encourage them to want to become further involved in our community. Jeff's genuine care for the betterment of our students, learning about on and off-campus opportunities, offering his guidance as a leader, and sharing his enthusiasm in every space he's in is a prime example of our the strength in us. If the OSU is the heartbeat of campus that is only because Jeff Rensel is the heart that allows our community to thrive. We are all becoming exponentially stronger because of Jeff's efforts and it is evident that they are fueled by his passion for student success. Director of Otter Student Union Otter Student Union/EMSA Raquel Bonilla Amy Gessler Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect Since her first day at CSUMB Raquel has shown an outstanding capacity to create strong supportive working relationships with other campus stakeholders, and in doing so has succeeded in transforming a department that was under much scrutiny when she arrived, into a well functioning department. She has worked feverishly to implement the changes recommended in the Cozen audit, which is reflected in the state of the department at this time. Title IX Coordinator/DHR Administrator Title IX/DHR Tasneem Mohamed Daramola Cabral Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Ms. Tasneem Mohamed has been dedicated to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives at CSUMB for nearly five years. She plays a crucial role as a member of the University College Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion planning committee, where she contributed to the drafting of the inaugural University College Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. Additionally, Tasneem actively participated as an Equity Advocate in the Equity Advocate Pilot Program for two years, contributing to the establishment of innovative processes for equitable recruitment, hiring, and committee operations. Her commitment extends to serving as a valued member of the President’s Committee on Equity and Inclusion, where she co-leads the Accountability and Evaluation Committee. Furthermore, Tasneem has been an integral part of the Mandla Mentoring program for three years, dedicated to supporting the success of Black students by fostering a sense of belonging. Independently, she volunteers as a mentor for Middle East and North African (MENA) Muslim students and Southwest Asian/North African students (SWANA) at CSUMB. Notably, she annually communicates with administrators and department chairs to ensure awareness of the unique dietary needs and potential academic impacts of Muslim students fasting during Ramadan. Ms. Mohamed's multifaceted involvement underscores her unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment at CSUMB.
Student Success Advisor Advising Annamarie Dominno-Cailles Terilynn Bench Harris Service and Civic Engagement Annamarie is not only an outstanding SDAC advisor, but she emulates strong service and civic engagement ties with her ongoing work with NCBI, the Rebuild Lahaina event, and as a representative of SDAC/CSUMB at various external events and organizations. She personally participates in, and shares about, multiple AAPI community and campus events. This type of service and civic engagement epitomizes the best of our community. Lead Senior Disability Management Advisor
Student Disability and Accessibility Center Dr. Daramola Cabral Tasneem Mohamed Intellectual Curiosity Dr. Daramola Cabral currently serves as a Professor of Public Health and Population Health Sciences in the Health, Human Services, and Public Policy department at CSUMB, where she held the position of department chair from 2017 to 2020. Demonstrating creativity and innovation as both a professor and research scientist, Dr. Cabral has been dedicated to advancing student success and furthering the mission and vision of CSUMB. Her research efforts have been particularly focused on cancer epidemiology, with a commitment to unraveling factors associated with cancer health disparities among traditionally under-researched Latinx and African American populations. Notably, she served as the Principal Investigator in collaboration with Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas for a study among Monterey County agricultural workers, exploring cultural mediators of cancer screening. Dr. Cabral actively engaged Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC) student scholars in this research, culminating in a juried student poster presentation at the National Health Disparities Conference. She has taken students to the annual CSU Health Policy Conference demonstrating her commitment to student mentoring and to fostering the professional development, creativity, and innovation in CHHS majors. Her recent research endeavors have also addressed excess risk and mortality due to colorectal cancer. In her publications from 2023 and 2024, Dr. Cabral examined predictors of colorectal cancer screening utilization in Black American men and explored temporal trends in early-onset colorectal cancer incidence in Georgia, respectively. In addition to her research and mentoring contributions, Dr. Cabral exemplified creativity and innovation in her effort to bridge the public health resource gap in the Tri-county Region by successfully writing and gaining approval for the CSUMB Master of Public Health program proposal from the CSU Chancellor’s Office. Professor
Health and Human Services & Public Policy Otter Nominee Recognized By Recognized For Description Otter Title Otter Department Kyle Jordan Nicole Hollingsworth Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect Kyle went above and beyond to thoughtfully help me with a project that will improve the campus wellbeing. He took initiative to get details beyond what was asked of him. Senior Campus Planner Planning Natasha Oehlman Danielle Burchett Student-centeredness Natasha has a long history of helping research students strengthen their writing skills. Most recently, her writing and application support helped THREE CSUMB students be selected as Barry Goldwater Scholars. (That's three of only four awarded across the whole CSU system). This highly competitive program provides awardees with $7,500-$15,000 scholarships and national recognition. She is clearly student-centered in the hours of support she puts into helping students get their applications to the highest quality possible. Writing and Professional Communication Associate UROC Addison Edwards Christopher Cassidy Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Our department is fortunate to have Addison as a lecturer. Addison creatively comes up with ways to help students get the most out of their learning experience. Addison comes up with new ways to adjust the curriculum in order for students to better understand the material as well as her ability to see that some students might adapt to the testing process better by assessing their performance in various ways. Addison's ability to adapt to a student's needs and make changes to further a student's progress, only makes the department stronger.
Lecturer Kinesiology Francine Lontoc Raquel Bonilla Creativity and Innovation Francine randomly heard about Title IX's desire to revamp the website via the Title IX Coordinator dropping by for office hours with IT. Francine volunteered to help the office revamp the website, not just by regulation requirements, but by combining her own user experience and how she would approach researching the site as someone who needs information. Francine spent many, many hours and over a few months spent time researching other campuses' Title IX websites, breaking apart their complex designs and creating CSUMB's own designs, reviewing the CSU policies and procedures, and most importantly, LEARNING about Title IX. Her work has resulted in a creative, innovative website that is unlike any prior CSUMB Title IX website. I tell Francine she has DIRECTLY and positively impacted the office and the population it serves in a beautiful, resourceful and holistic manner. Francine's work has ended with Title IX, but she will ALWAYS be an honorary Title IX staff member in my mind! User Experience Analyst
Enterprise & Engagement Applications Amber Watson Tiffany Grau Intellectual Curiosity Juggling tasks with competing deadlines can be very hectic, and creates the possibility for other tasks to fall through the cracks. As soon as Amber was hired, she was eager and willing to help the Finance team. I told her about a scanning project that was not getting the attention that it needed, and she offered to help. She had no idea what OnBase was, but she learned the basics to keep the project moving forward. Throughout the months, she's learned more and more, not only about the software, but how processes have evolved throughout the campuses inception. Her ability to take initiative, and her curiosity about how things function have made her a great asset to the team. Administrative Support Coordinator
Finance Otter Nominee Recognized By Recognized For Description Otter Title Otter Department Eva Salas Reyola Carlisle Service and Civic Engagement While managing her own job duties, Eva Salas also assumed the duties of the public works contract analyst for two months. One of the projects that Eva had to manage was the Request for Qualification and Request for Proposal selection process to determine who will be the contractor and design team working on the Edward (Ted) Taylor Science and Engineering Building. She also managed the bidding for the LED Retrofit Lighting in the Library and North Quad buildings. Her service to the University is a prime example of her commitment towards our mission of student success. Strategic Procurement Specialist Procurement and Contract Services (BSS) Jodie Maguire Terilynn Bench Harris Student-centeredness Jodie has provided an important student-centered approach to her retention services, which she developed over the last year and is now in full swing, with proactive outreach to our students. She has served significant numbers of at-risk students, providing support and guidance. In addition, she developed two student success workshops to deliver this semester to students. Jodie is a valued part of our SDAC Otter Team. SDAC Student Success and Retention Advisor Student Disability and Accessibility Center Jessica Salimbangon Terilynn Bench Harris Integrity, Accountability and Mutual Respect Jeca has shown integrity, accountability and mutual respect with the students she serves in SDAC, the staff of SDAC, as well as in the campus community. She has quickly come up to speed since joining the team in supporting the students, displaying respect for them as a person and sharing resources, and providing a positive experience for our students. She also always acts with both integrity and accountability in her work.
SDAC Disability Management Advisor Student Disability and Accessibility Center Hayley Azevedo Christina Rocchi Health and Wellness Hayley is an amazing resource for our entire university community. With her long experience at CSUMB, she brings a student, alumni, staff, and administrator perspective to the challenges and opportunities she works on. Her ability to understand and convey a variety of perspectives has been critical to my ability to function in the role of Staff Council Chair this year. While I could check every CSUMB value listed above, I opted for Health & Wellness because this year and specifically this role has taken a real toll on my personal mental health and well-being. Despite being one of the busiest individuals on campus, Hayley has made time for me throughout this year to listen, offer advice and perspective, and general encouragement. I know that I wouldn't be as successful without her support, and honestly, I don't know if I would still be here at all. Hayley has been a lifeline to me and so many others this year and is definitely the MVP of our CSUMB team. President's Chief of Staff
Office of the President Cece Chavez Kaci Turpin Student-centeredness I want to nominate Cece for both student-centeredness and creativity and innovation. She has significantly increased the energy and organization within the Facilities department. A skilled collaborator, Cece is actively involved in planning student-centered events such as Monte's 5K, Admitted Otter Day, and Admitted Transfer Day. She leads by example and consistently demonstrates excellence. Cece also deserves recognition for her creativity and innovation. Upon joining the Facilities team, she inherited an outdated system and inefficient practices. She responded by implementing a new, user-friendly events platform and introducing smarter scheduling methods for laborers. Cece serves as a vital bridge between requesters and FMD staff, ensuring seamless communication and coordination. Her proactive approach includes planning walkthroughs to guarantee event success. Cece is driving innovation on campus, continuously working to improve processes through initiatives like an event cage. I'm grateful to collaborate with her and the FMD team. Cece always brings a positive, enthusiastic energy to her work. Planner/Estimator/Scheduler
Maintenance and Operations Otter Nominee Recognized By Recognized For Description Otter Title Otter Department Judith Canner Carisse Ballard Service and Civic Engagement Judith shared a suggestion to increase faculty engagement and attendance at university events/meetings. Through a "simple discussion", she shared that faculty rely on calendar invitations more than email announcements. We came up with a solution that would not greatly increase staff workload, but would make it easier for faculty/staff to add events/meetings to their own calendars. So far I have incorporated an "Add to your calendar" link to two events and I have received positive feedback from numerous individuals regarding the calendar link. I want to thank Judith for how she brought the suggestions to me, and for seeing a way to improve civic engagement and having the courage to share that improvement. Department Chair Mathematics & Statistics Tyler St. Pierre-Young Terilynn Bench Harris Diversity, Equity and Inclusion I want to recognize Tyler for his dedication to our LGBTQ+ students, staff and faculty through his direct involvement in the LGBTQ+ employee resource group, and as the first coordinator for the Otter Rainbow Raft Pride Center. Tyler is an excellent ambassador to this population, creating social events and a safe, welcoming environment for all. Alternate Media and ASL Coordinator Student Disability and Accessibility Center Christopher Beem Amy Marbach Student-centeredness Chris is an amazingly helpful colleague who doesn't get the credit he deserves. He is always willing to help anyone, but in this specific instance he assisted a student from the online MBA program, a program that has a different instance of Canvas than regular csumb students do, an instance he isn't able to administer. This poor student was being bumped around from different support people in different areas including the online MBA program and Canvas's support as well and out of desperation she called him. He was able to figure out somehow that on the back end she had two different email addresses and was able to contact me at the help desk and together we worked to fix the issue. Chris went above and beyond to assist this student! This is just one instance- he's always willing to help!
Instructional Designer IT- Center for Academic Technologies Rhonda Mercadal-Evans Danielle Burchett Student-centeredness Rhonda made time in her busy schedule on little notice to welcome a prospective student and her family on a campus visit with her typical warmth, energy, and love. She not only helped them feel supported in understanding more about the resources available for Black students (e.g., Mandla mentoring, affinity housing, and the Helen Rucker Center). But she also provided warmth and care in discussing career preparation and how the student would be supported in gaining out-of-classroom experience in their field of interest. She truly made the student and her family feel welcome and cared for at CSUMB. The parents told me how impressed and grateful they were to have the opportunity to learn from her. Thank you for all you do for our students, Rhonda! Associate Director for Advising, Career & Student Success
Advising, Career & Student Success Otter Nominee Recognized By Recognized For Description Otter Title Otter Department Kaci Turpin Gryphon Jung Student-centeredness Kaci's involvement with some of CSUMB's biggest and greatest events cannot be understated. She is at the forefront of new student affairs, and has consistently proven that her methodology for engaging with new students and families is not only effective in bringing in CSUMB's next generation, but keeping them here as well. Just in the last year alone, CSUMB has had record numbers of attendees for our campus wide events, and Kaci's involvement has been no small part in making that happen. She has worked tirelessly to push CSUMB to the next level, and I am very fortunate to have collaborated with her closely on a variety of events such as Open House, Admitted Otter Day, Admitted Transfer Day, and Orientation. I am highly confident that Kaci will continue to demonstrate proven excellence, and I am so excited to see what the future of CSUMB will hold under her leadership! Director of New Student Programs Dean of Students 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