Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Felicia Arredondo Signature Program Representative, University Extension “Felicia’s attitude is always one of ‘can do’… This behavior is contagious – other department staff, as well as adjacent department’s staff, have begun to model her style.” ~ Vicki Krantz, Director, Business Mgmt Program

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Portia Bibb Assistant Director, External Relations, Graduate School of IR/PS “Portia radiates joy, kindness, generosity and optimism. She is the best of our community, and this has translated into resounding success for our School.” ~ Deborah Morrison, Assistant Dean

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer April Bjornsen Manager, Graduate Student Admissions, Office of Graduate Studies “Her sense of responsibility, willingness to help others, and friendly manner promote a positive environment in the office and with departments across campus.” ~ Tim Johnston, Assistant Dean

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Mary Brown Administrative Specialist, Office of Contract & Grant Administration “Mary’s volunteer involvement in community service allows her to share her experiences and personal success at UCSD, and to encourage others to attain their dreams and success to the best of their abilities.” ~ Pamela Alexander, Assistant Director

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Robert Buffington Programmer Analyst, Center for Research in Language “Bob is unfailingly cheerful, with a wry, often self-deprecating sense of humor. This lightens the mood of everyone in the lab and contributes to the friendly cooperative atmosphere…” ~ Scott Makeig, Research Scientist/Director SCCN

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Laurie Castillo Student Affairs Assistant, Rady School of Management “She is unfailingly positive when working with students and student organizations, providing a high level of service while being mindful of policies and procedures.” ~ JoAnne Starr, Assistant Dean, MBA Programs

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Brian Churchwell Lead Programmer Analyst, Rady School of Management “Brian’s calm demeanor and attentiveness, as well as his past results, combine to reassure his customers that their problem will be promptly addressed and resolved.” ~ Delbert Foit, Continuing Educator

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Karen Cordero Assistant Program Manager, Rady School of Management “While never shy about suggesting creative approaches to a challenge, she is particularly good at listening to others’ viewpoints and forging paths of compromise.” ~ Clark Jordan, Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Education

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Tommy Duong Programmer Analyst, Electrical & Computer Engineering “Without Tommy’s unique skills and knowledge, patience, creativity and persistence for excellence, the department would not be as automated or well managed as we are.” ~ Edgar Hodge, Programmer Analyst

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Olivia Fernandez Financial Administration Specialist, Beyster Institute, Rady School of Management “She approaches all of her responsibilities with optimism, a willingness to pitch in and help with any project, and a contagious sense of humor.” ~ Ronald Bernstein, Deputy Director/CFO

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Veronica Garcia Fiscal Assistant, Rady School of Management “She wishes to make a real, positive difference at UCSD and wishes to contribute to the development of others.” ~ Bill Cherom, Assistant Dean

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Jill Gibson Assistant Director of Development, Rady School of Management “Jill doesn’t hide her knowledge but shares her secrets so that others at UCSD can share in a similar outcome.” ~ Graig Eastin, Senior Director of Development

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Cheryl Hile Fund Administrator, Computer Science & Engineering “Cheryl displays a tremendous can-do attitude and her competence and proactive execution comes with an incredible capacity as a team player.” ~ Rajesh Gupta, Professor

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Kim-Loan Huynh Academic Personnel Specialist, Division of Biological Sciences “Kim cares for us postdocs as if we were part of her own family.” ~ Uwe Schumann, Postdoc

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Hedi Jafari Financial Manager, Theatre & Dance “He is extremely well-liked and respected by his peers and coworkers, who frequently approach him for advice regarding a large range of issues, both personal and professional.” ~ Mark Maltby, Business Officer

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Davyda Johnson Human Resources Coordinator, Education Studies “Davyda’s superb communication skills have been of tremendous help in keeping the department updated and informed of pending and existing issues…” ~ Jill Rowe, Financial Manager

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Harriet Kounaves Academic Personnel Manager, Jacobs School of Engineering “As Dean it is extraordinary to find a staff member who relieves you of the details… I never knew how easy academic personnel could be until Harriett joined our office.” ~ Frieder Seible, Dean

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Josef Kucera Recording Engineer, Music “Each of us in the Music department at UCSD has experienced moments of musical enlightenment through Mr. Kucera’s interventions in recording.” ~ Steven Schick, Professor

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Matthew Kullberg Manager, IT Support, San Diego Supercomputer Center “Matt continually develops his staff members, lifting them up and encouraging them… His personal work ethic sets a standard you can see his employees strive to emulate.” ~ Fran Berman, Director

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Melissa La Bouff Events Coordinator, Insititute for International, Comparative & Area Studies “Melissa has impressed is with her uncommon ability to juggle multiple competing projects with a calm and professional poise.” ~ Gershon Shafir, Director

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Trudy LaDue Executive Assistant to the Provost, Muir College Provost’s Office “She is particularly sensitive to the needs of new, younger staff members, and devotes considerable time and effort to mentoring those under her supervision.” ~ Susan Smith, Provost

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Sarah Leon Student Affairs Coordinator, Center for Iberian & Latin American Studies “Sarah’s spirit of collaboration makes her excel in a team environment.” ~ Martha Salinas, Business Officer

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Kelly Maheu Assistant Director, Academic Compensation, Academic Personnel “Kelly is outstanding in her ability to provide support and guidance in a very uplifting manner. She shares her expertise in a way that is both motivating and growth enhancing.” ~ June Petersen, Business Officer, Philosophy

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer M'Lissa Michelson Manager, Human Resources and Payroll, Electrical & Computer Engineering “M’Lissa cares about the faculty and administrative staff, cares about our lives, cares if we are happy at UCSD, she is a great listener and we all confide in her.” ~ Gabriel Rebeiz, Professor

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Shanley Miller Financial Manager, Chemistry / Biochemistry “Many members of her staff have told me that they have learned more under her than ever and how she expresses joy in their success.” ~ Marjorie Hardy, Business Officer

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Antonio Mora Senior Animal Technician, Psychology “Antonio is an outstanding employee, a quick and efficient worker, a great department citizen… He is always positive and willing to take care of any and every unexpected task that comes his way.” ~ Michael Gorman, Professor

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Mira Morse Data Manager, Jacobs School of Engineering “Mira is positively influencing our work environment by improving the foundation of our university – the work flow, communication systems and organization.” ~ Adam DiProfio, Director, Budget & Planning

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Janie Orwig-Sacchetti Senior Animal Technician, Animal Care Program “She is efficient, organized and adaptive to the needs of individual investigators.” ~ Cynthia Snyder, MD, Assistant Research Scientist

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Luis Palacios Programmer Analyst, Center for Research in Language “He is always available to answer questions and provide technical support to students, staff, visitors and academics” ~ Emelia Marapao-Rivera, HR Administrative Assistant

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Suzanne Patti Staff HR Manager, Rady School of Management “She is a constant source of stability and sound judgment and an absolute pleasure to work with on a daily basis.” ~ Frances Stanko, Administrative/Instructional Coordinator

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Margaret Paulson Project Assistant, Center for Research in Language “She is a good example for all of us to incorporate environmentally safe practices in the workplace.” ~ Shelley Marquez, Business Officer

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Scott Paulson Library Assistant, Geisel Library “Scott’s everyday approach to improvements at the workplace has a great impact at no financial cost.” ~ Jane Peterson, Program Representative, Stuart Collection

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Daphne Pleasant Cashiering Manager, University Extension “Daphne played a key role in recognizing the problems and deficiencies we were facing and identifying the end results we were hoping to achieve.” ~ Yuki Marsden, Business Officer

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Heather Pratt Executive Assistant to the Dean, Biological Sciences Dean’s Office “Her excellent attitude and dedication to the needs of the office, whatever they may be, make her a truly exemplary employee.” ~ Suresh Subramani, Interim Dean

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Karen Roberts Web Developer, University Extension “In each interaction with her counterparts, she models behavior and sets a tone that inspires teamwork and the positive treatment of others.” ~ Benjamin Johnson, Web Marketing Manager

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Lea Sapinoso Administrative Assistant, Rady School of Management “Lea has truly become a master multi-tasker, often assisting multiple departments. She always completes these various tasks with grace and a smile.” ~ Gladys Selfridge, Dean's Executive Assistant

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Gladys Selfridge Dean’s Executive Assistant, Rady School of Management “She is a person who believes in possibilities and takes the action needed to achieve goals – both for herself and others – and we are all richer for having her in our lives.” ~ Maria Lofftus, Chief of Staff

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Reyna Stallings IAEP Programs Coordinator, Insititute for International, Comparative & Area Studies “Reyna is a natural team member and always works to bring the morale up on whatever project she is working on.” ~ Christi Gilhoi, Director, International House

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Lois Stewart Graduate Program Officer, Mathematics “She is the ‘go-to’ person in the department when a task is overwhelmingly complicated and requires a highly detailed organization plan.” ~ Nancy Hartley, Business Officer

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Yongxuan Su Senior Development Engineer, Chemistry / Biochemistry “His hard work, dedication and expertise has directly contributed to the research success of many individuals at U.C. San Diego” ~ Seth Cohen, Assistant Professor

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Robert Sundberg Senior Animal Technician, Psychology “His attitude is unfailingly positive and he is always willing to accept any other work as needed, rearranging the rest of his schedule to ensure its timely completion.” ~ Peter Hinkley, Business Officer

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Ann Tatro Payroll/Personnel and HR Assistant, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering “Ann projects a positive image of the department to the larger UCSD community by being a role model as an employee where she provides an exceptionally high level of service.” ~ Debra Ambrose, Manager, Academic Affairs & HR

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Giselle Van Luit Student Affairs Officer, Education Studies “Giselle volunteers her time and energy to all facets of our program, and takes a creative look at our ongoing processes to keep them streamlined and effective.” ~ Pamela Fruge, Business Officer

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Jackie Vignes Project Assistant, Division of Biological Sciences “…it’s not only Jackie’s unusually high standard of excellence and professionalism that’s deserving of recognition; it’s also the exceptionally human way she does her job.” ~ James Posakony, Professor

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Julie Vitale Program Advisor, Insititute for International, Comparative & Area Studies “Her positive and friendly demeanor and consistently cheerful attitude infuse our daily work environment with a contagious spirit of camaraderie.” ~ Diana Wilder, Business Officer

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Richard Weymouth Principal Electronics Technician, Division of Biological Sciences “He is very hardworking, kind and dedicated. Also, Rich is always looking for a way to make things simpler/faster/more efficient.” ~ Julia Dyachok, Postdoctoral Fellow

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Julie Williams Business Officer, Linguistics “She has an impeccably professional sense and approach to her job: she has a fundamental understanding of what is required for the greater good and maintains her focus on that.” ~ John Moore, Chair

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Eric Williamson Programmer/Systems Administrator, Rady School of Management “He has a strong sense of empathy for his customers and genuinely cares about making their work lives a little better.” ~ Erik Nelson, Chief Technology Officer

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Van Wong Development Engineer, Bioengineering “Van has a pleasingly optimistic attitude towards all tasks at hand, and this quality has been both comforting and helpful to individual in a fast-paced research environment.” ~ Robert Sah, Professor

Academic Affairs 2007 Star Performer Heather Fowler Zion Academic Files Coordinator, Literature “Heather’s extraordinary dedication to her work and the effort she puts into all tasks she is asked to perform make her an exceptional colleague and a respected member of our department.” ~ Don Wayne, Chair