Posts Tagged: awards
STAR award winners celebrated
Individual Awards
Zeva Cho, 4-H Youth Development Program, CE San Mateo/San Francisco. “Since her start in 2016, Zeva's outstanding organizational abilities have been critical in organizing the club finances and records. Zeva also demonstrated her exceptional creativity by expanding the Healthy Living Ambassadors Program, which was the first program of its kind in California.”
Anna Dirkse, Knotwood Outreach, UCCE Marin. “It's well-known in the valley that one of the original Fillmore Rock-Art poster artists is a local resident. Playing off of the alternative vibe, Anna designed a Fillmore inspired flyer to attract the eye of folks that might eschew something more straightforward or formal. That approach boosted program participation in an area that we thought was saturated.”
Veronica Geiger, Payroll, Business Operations Center. “For 5 months, Veronica was the sole payroll transaction processor and during this time we were preparing to go live with UCPath and had a lot of clean up entry to make in PPS as well as standard fiscal year end entry in PPS. …we were able to make the necessary entries timely and within required deadlines.”
Sally Harmsworth, Business Operations Center. “She has worked with Development Services and other units to reduce duplicative processes, saving time and money for the entire organization – one small example, creating a PCI compliance group for ANR so we don't duplicate effort on this time-consuming yearly process.”
Linda Harris, Office of Risk & Safety Services. “Linda finds creative solutions to risk management challenges, often working with the UC ANR staff and partner agencies to address concerns, modify contract language, or make other adjustments so the program can go on.”
Rachel Lloyd, Administrative Policies & Business Contracts. “Rachel Lloyd made an exceptional contribution to the improved efficiency and productivity of the Controller's Office's Administrative Policies and Business Contracts unit. Rachel reviewed and mapped the current workflow for Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), and designed and implemented an improved process.”
Belinda Messenger-Sikes, Integrated Pest Management. “Between 2018 and 2019 while UC IPM urban team was without a Community Education Specialist, Belinda took on several of the duties normally assigned to that position. In 2019, UC IPM urban team organized several training workshops but had difficulty finding a plant pathologist who was available on some of the dates. Belinda stepped up to be one of the trainers while still getting her other work done on time.”
Sue Mosbacher, Master Food Preserver, CE Central Sierra. “She is currently facilitating the response to COVID-19 as well as the reappointment process for the 400+ current volunteers in 17 counties....Her work should be considered transformational to the organization as a whole.”
Shyra Murrey, EFNEP State Office. “I pick 3 key words to describe Shyra:
1. Creative - An updated review process (which I understand saved around $200K)
2. Collaborative - Clearly works well with the 33 EFNEP educators
3. Capable - A strong presenter
Stephanie Parreira, Integrated Pest Management. “Stephanie was integral in getting a new grant program with EPA off the ground. This assignment was outside of her normal duties, but she immediately took ownership and responsibility for leading daily processes. Her work ethic, attention to detail, project management and organizational skills have been invaluable to the program.”
Kaela Plank, Nutrition Policy Institute. “Kaela Plank's exceptional performance as Chair of the Staff Assembly Wellness Committee has contributed to the expansion of the committee's role in Staff Assembly and the support of employee health and wellness for ANR staff.”
Kendra Rose, Office of Contracts and Grants. “Last fall, Kendra worked directly with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to include in the Request for Proposal the ability for one of our 4-H programs to apply for the CalAgPlate License Plate Funds…. Now, thanks to Kendra there is a carve-out that allows UCANR 4-H Youth Programs to apply.”
Marcy Sousa, UC Master Gardener, CE San Joaquin. “We couldn't have started our brand new Master Gardener Program in Stanislaus County without her hard work and help.”
Douzong Vang, Human Resources. “Because of the nature of the new responsibilities for both UC ANR and UCPath, Douzong has often been required to initiate research to determine nuances, steps and various paths to obtain resolution to complicated situations.”
Patti Verdugo Johnson, Hansen Research & Extension Center and CE Ventura. “Her brain is constantly churning out solutions. No project is too big and no detail too small. Through all the complexities that make up the UCCE Ventura County and Hansen REC, Patti maintains a strong sense of fairness, unwavering professionalism and grace.”
Mary Vlandis, Human Resources. Mary took point in collaborating on a new and very complicated process for Contracting Out/Creating Vendor Agreements. She worked tirelessly to push a UC ANR friendly outcome with systemwide labor and we were able to identify some very positive outcomes for our organization.
Jeannette Warnert, Strategic Communications. “Senior leadership charged Strategic Communications with spearheading UC ANR's first-ever hosted reception during the 2020 World Ag Expo, along with planning and staffing two trade show booths. Jeannette Warnert took on the leadership role for both the trade show presence and the reception.”
Michael Yang, Small Farms and Specialty Crops, CE Fresno. Michael Yang has been working with UC Cooperative Extension in Fresno County for over 25 years serving the Southeast Asian farming community. …Many of these farmers are still in business because Michael helped them connect to a farmers market, complete paperwork for a variety of regulations, or solve production issues on their farm.”
Team Awards
CalFresh Healthy Living, UC in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties
- Miguel Diaz
- Emily Dimond
- Kelly Hong
- Shannon Klisch
- Melissa LaFreniere
- Abbi Marrs
- Betsy Plascencia
- Rosa Vargas
Central Sierra Master Food Preserver Program Staff
Robin Cleveland and Sue Mosbacher
Information Technology (IT) Team
- David Hatter
- Lora Schroeder
- Ron Walker
- Jonathan Wilson
Kearney Agricultural Research & Extension Center
- Ivan Aldana
- Keith Byrum
- Janie Duran
- Marcia Holmes-Baker
- Mike Kulow
- Dale Pattigan
- Vincent Silva
- Patrick West
Nutrition Policy Institute
- Temika Green
- Danielle Lee
- Meirong Liao
- Joni Rippee
UCCE San Bernardino Program Integration Stars
- Christine Davidson
- Dee Denton
- Dalila Lizarraga
- Marilynn Ljungberg
- Margaret O'Neill
- Roxana Puentes
- Clara Wilshire
For details about the achievements of the STAR winners, see the recording of the June event posted at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/All_Hands.
Celebrate STAR Award winners and retirees June 18
All UC ANR colleagues are invited to a special staff meeting and recognition event at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 18. We will be celebrating the careers of UC ANR colleagues who are retiring July 1, 2020, and also recognizing the 2019-2020 winners of the Staff Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) Awards.
The event will be on Zoom. To join online, click https://ucanr.zoom.us/s/95278617548.
By telephone: US +1 669-900-6833 or +1 253-215-8782 or +1 346-248-7799 or +1 301-715-8592 or +1 312-626-6799 or +1 646-558-8656. International numbers available: https://ucanr.zoom.us/u/aep8C9Dy84. Webinar ID: 952 7861 7548.
For more information about the event, visit https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/All_Hands.
Nominate UCCE academics for service awards by April 17
Nominations are being accepted for the 2020 ANR Distinguished Service Awards, which are sponsored by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources and Academic Assembly Council.
The awards recognize and reward outstanding accomplishments in UC Cooperative Extension over a significant period of time in five areas: research, extension, new academic, team and leadership.
Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to recognize outstanding achievement by yourself or your colleagues.
The biennial ANR Distinguished Service Awards recognize service and academic excellence in UC Cooperative Extension over a significant period of time. Awards highlight the use of innovative methods and the integration of research, extension and leadership.
Winners of individual awards will receive a certificate and $2,000. Winners of the team award will share $5,000. Complete award criteria and instructions for submitting nominations are at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/322061.pdf.
Submit all materials in the nomination packet by 5 p.m., April 17, 2020, with the online survey at 2020 ANR Distinguished Service Awards.
For more information, feel free to contact the Academic Assembly Council Program Committee:
Jennifer Heguy, jmheguy@ucanr.edu
Keith Nathaniel, kcnathaniel@ucanr.edu
Susie Kocher, sdkocher@ucanr.edu
Daniela Bruno, dfbruno@ucanr.edu
For more information about Academic Assembly Council, visit its website at http://ucanr.edu/sites/UCAAC.
STAR nominations accepted until April 6
[The deadline to nominate staff for a STAR Award has been extended to 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 17.]
Nominations are being accepted for the annual UC ANR Staff Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) Awards until Monday, April 6, 2020.
ANR is going ahead with the annual program despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The STAR program is our opportunity to celebrate and reward the great contributions of ANR's people, and this recognition is as important as ever right now,” said John Fox, executive director of Human Relations.
The program provides one-time $500 cash awards to eligible staff in recognition of outstanding achievement. Managers may nominate individuals and teams demonstrating exceptional performance, creativity, organizational abilities, work success and teamwork.
Policy-covered ANR staff and members of the Clerical Unit (CX) are eligible to be nominated for STAR awards. Staff in other collective bargaining units, academics and members of the Senior Management Group are not eligible to receive STAR awards.
Nomination forms and program guidelines are available on the UC ANR Human Resources website.
Send your nominations via e-mail to humanresources@ucanr.edu by April 6, 2020.
STAR Award winners will be celebrated during an ANR recognition event on June 18, 2020, even if it's a “virtual” Zoom event.
Nominate staff for STAR awards by April 6
Nominations are being accepted for the ANR Staff Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) program for the fiscal year 2019-2020.
The purpose of the STAR program is to recognize and reward outstanding staff individual and team performance within UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. Recipients receive cash awards as well as recognition. ANR staff in PSS and MSP titles, as well as members of the Clerical Unit (CX), are eligible to be nominated for cash awards. STAR Awards will be celebrated during an ANR recognition event at the Second Street building in Davis on June 18, 2020.
The STAR program is your opportunity to celebrate and reward the great contributions of ANR's people.
The program provides cash awards to eligible staff in recognition of outstanding achievement. Managers may nominate individuals and teams demonstrating exceptional performance, creativity, organizational abilities, work success and teamwork.
Under the STAR plan, managers can recognize, acknowledge and reward staff employees for exceptional performance or significant contributions related to and supportive of individual, departmental, divisional or organizational goals and objectives. Nominations are due Monday, April 6.
Send your nominations to Fiona Wei at humanresources@ucanr.edu by Monday, April 6, 2020.
We've streamlined the nomination form this year to simplify the process. Please find the Nomination Form, Star Award Guidelines & Restrictions and Local Plan on the STAR website: https://ucanr.edu/sites/ANRSPU/Supervisor_Resources/Staff_Appreciation_and_Recognition_STAR_Awards/.