By Eduardo Landa
Staff Writer
Cal State Dominguez Hills decided to give thanks to staff members Oct. 4 by holding the annual Staff Awards of Excellence Ceremony in the Loker Student Union Ballroom.
The ceremony showed appreciation to staff members – employees who are not members of the teaching faculty – for their hard work in helping the university achieve its mission.
The award recipients were selected by the school’s Recognition Committee. There were three major awards given.
First was the Innovation Award, which honors staff members who “use creativity and innovation to streamline and/or improve business processes and services for students and the campus community.”
Peter Muñoz, a building service engineer, received the honor. He was given the award after “creating custom solar carts for staff” and upgrading the air conditioning in a way that also saves energy. He also played a role in getting the university a $1.4 million grant from the CSU Office of the Chancellor.
Second was the Student Success Award. It was awarded to Alma Melena, the coordinator for the Student Services Center.
According to a press release, Melena motivates and supports students studying human services. She provides “academic advising” for over 500 students in the Human Services Department and makes sure she guides them in the right direction.
Third, the Customer Service Award went to Donna Cruz, a frontend web developer and branding and special projects analyst in the Office of the Provost. This award is given to those who provide great customer service to students.
Cruz has been applauded for developing “user-friendly and engaging websites.” She also helped develop the “Institutional Report” for the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Those three, however, weren’t the only ones being recognized. The school honored 111 staff members who have served five to 40 years here at CSUDH.
