CSUN Recognizes Exemplary Staff at Annual Awards

  • crowd at awards

    CSUN staff celebrate more than 500 honorees and nominees at the 2015 Staff Service Awards and Recognition of Excellence Event. The spirited event recognizes colleagues who have reached employment milestones with the university and celebrates those who have distinguished themselves by their outstanding contributions. Photo by Luis Garcia.

  • CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison welcomes attendees at the 2015 Staff Service Awards and Recognition of Excellence Event, which took place June 2. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • CSUN Alumni Relations Award is Daniela Cross

    The 2015 recipient of the CSUN Alumni Relations Award is Daniela Cross (right), assistant to the general manager of Associated Students. Because of her dedication to keep alumni connected to CSUN, the Alumni Affairs department launched a cross-divisional initiative between Student Affairs and University Advancement to bring back former student leaders to work with current Associated Students officers and senators. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Excellence in Diversity Inclusion honoree Franklin Ellis

    CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison presents the Excellence in Diversity Inclusion Award to Franklin Ellis, coordinator of residential student success and leadership in the Department of Residential Life. This award is presented to a staff member who strives to practice, promote and value efforts to support diversity, inclusion and respect for all people. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • The 2015 Jolene Koester Team Award was given to the MyCSUNtablet Initiative team. The initiative was launched in fall 2013 as a partnership between Academic Affairs and Information Technology, with the intent of increasing student engagement and learning — and decreasing the cost of instructional materials. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Cynthia Demuth

    Cynthia Demuth, administrative support coordinator for Admissions and Records, receives a 40-year service award. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison presents a 40-year service award to Georgia Reed, a payroll technician for Human Resources. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Cindy Trigg, an upper-division mentor with the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics, receives a 40-year service award. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Barbara Hlinka (right), associate director of institutional research, receives the 2015 Presidential Award. The Presidential Award recipient is a top performer who has left a positive mark on the university and made outstanding contributions to improve and demonstrate CSUN's mission, values, vision and goals. As part of the Office of Institutional Research, Hlinka collaborates with various departments to provide accurate and timely data that show where CSUN has been — and how the university can move forward. Photo by Lee Choo.

California State University, Northridge honored more than 500 staff members for their years of service and outstanding contributions to the university at the 49th annual Staff Service and Recognition of Excellence Awards on June 2.

“It’s a pleasure to be here today to recognize colleagues who have reached milestones with the university and to celebrate with those who have distinguished themselves by their outstanding contributions,” said President Dianne F. Harrison to attendees. “Today we are here to celebrate sustained, loyal dedication to our university.”

Harrison recognized Barbara Hlinka, associate director of the Office of Institutional Research, with the Presidential Award. The award honors an individual who has left an “indelible positive mark” on the university, contributes to improved processes and demonstrates alignment with the mission, vision, values and goals of the university.

Hlinka has been the “unsung hero” of the Office of Institutional Research since the late 1990s. She works collaboratively with a wide array of departments to provide accurate and timely data that informs the campus of “where we have been and how we should move forward,” said Harrison. Although never in the spotlight, Hlinka’s nominators say she makes a positive difference on campus every day.

The Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award went to Franklin Ellis, coordinator of residential student success and leadership in the Department of Residential Life, who has been applauded for demonstrating respect for all people. The award is reserved for employees who practice, promote and value efforts to support diversity, inclusion and respect for everyone’s values and opinions.

The CSUN Merit Award recipients were Ken Rappe, executive assistant to the dean of the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics; Kathleen Pohl, the dean’s assistant in the College of Engineering and Computer Science; Griselda Corona ’09 (Liberal Studies) the administrative coordinator in the Department of Chicana/o Studies; Ryan Conlogue, help center lead in the Division of Information Technology; Michelle Kilmnick ’99 (Communication Studies) academic personnel and compensation analyst in the Office of Faculty Affairs; and Emil Henry’97 (Computer Science) manager of technical services in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The CSUN Alumni Relations Award went to Daniela Cross ’08 (Recreation and Tourism Management), M.S. ’10 (Recreation and Tourism Management)

assistant to the general manager of Associated Students, who has helped build bridges with former student government officers. This award is given to an employee who develops initiatives and or enhances existing programs that encourage successful collaborative relationships with alumni and a greater alumni connectedness that results in achievement of university goals and objectives.

The Jolene Koester Team Award, which recognizes outstanding team achievements and is presented annually to a team that has collaborated effectively on a project, process or other significant initiative that has brought positive changes, was awarded to the MyCSUNtablet Initiative. It was launched in fall 2013 as a partnership between the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Information Technology with the intent of increasing student engagement and learning and decreasing the cost of instructional materials. Since adoption, the tablets have transformed classrooms into active learning spaces.

Harrison also presented certificates to the 20 participants in the inaugural CSUN Shine from Within Program. A highlight of the awards celebration was the recognition of employees who have served CSUN for 40 years.

“These four people were hired in 1975 and have provided loyal, dedicated and continuous service for the last four decades,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Harry Hellenbrand, who presented framed Matadors jerseys with their name and number “40” to the recipients. The honorees were Cynthia Demuth, admissions and records; Selma Mayhew, admissions and records; Georgia Reed, office of human resources; and Cindy Trigg’04 (Chicana/o Studies) the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics.

CSUN staff also received recognition for five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service. For a complete list of the honorees, please visit the Office of Human Resources.