Nominee's Name: Saleem Hasan
Nominee's Unit: Research
Criteria: Team Player

Customer Service Example:

I am pleased to nominate Saleem as an outstanding team player in recognition of his exceptional contributions and unwavering support to our team. This month, he truly went above and beyond, not only assisting me, his supervisor, with a proposal submission but also helping his colleagues by effectively managing numerous proposal-related questions from the lead institute and guiding the PI accordingly. His keen ability to troubleshoot issues and provide guidance has been invaluable. Saleem’s willingness to lend a helping hand immediately after returning to work from illness has fostered a collaborative environment, enhancing our team's productivity and cohesion. Therefore, I nominate him for this well-deserved recognition.

Nominee's Name: Mark Bell
Nominee's Unit: Reimbursement Services
Criteria: Above & Beyond

Customer Service Example:

I nominate Mark Bell for his outstanding achievement in designing an innovative tool to assist our staff and community in calculating shared rooming expenses. Mark's tool addresses the complex challenge of dividing costs among multiple travelers with varying stay durations and different payees who initially covered the expenses. This tool has significantly improved the accuracy and efficiency of our expense-sharing process, providing clarity and saving valuable time for everyone involved. Mark's dedication and technical expertise have made a lasting impact, greatly benefiting our organization and community.

Nominee's Name: Emily Martinez
Nominee's Unit: Human Resources
Criteria: Above & Beyond

Customer Service Example:

With the departure of the Math AP Analyst for non-senate appointments several months ago, Emily has repeatedly stepped in to help myself and the department to navigate one of the busiest times for non-senate appointments and activity. Emily continuously goes above and beyond by showing exceptional commitment to the needs and intentions of our department by helping to solve problems (example: coordinating a visa and subsequent transition from Postdoc to Project Scientist for one of our appointees), anticipate the department's needs and intentions (example: closely reviewing the requests I've submitted to ensure that actions are implemented correctly as was the case in processing retroactive payroll adjustments for one of our lecturers and several of our senate faculty members), and continuously demonstrating her willingness to be both a team player and a leader. I am truly grateful to have Emily's support and guidance and feel that without her assistance these past few months, we would not have been able to navigate this period as smoothly as we have.

Nominee's Name: Kimberly Citalan
Nominee's Unit: Human Resources
Criteria: Demonstrates Commitment

Customer Service Example:

Last week ERSO HR had a very tight deadline to submit a mass funding file which impacted a large number of UC Path records. Kim helps prepare a mass upload file weekly, but this week we had a higher volume of lines on the report than normal, and a tighter deadline. Kim worked closely with the controllers office to submit the file, manage an issue that came up with it, and get it resubmitted, all in time to meet the deadline. She dropped everything to ensure this got done and did it excellently. Kim saved the day, I am very grateful for her dedication.

Nominee's Name: Robert Rainey
Nominee's Unit: Computer Support
Criteria: Problem Solver

Customer Service Example:

A huge thank you to Robert for resolving the connectivity nightmare at my campus desktop. Astoundingly, I could not connect to anything at my CAMPUS desktop --- while on campus, after the power outage on Wednesday, 5/22/14. Robert performed IT-Magic and everything works again, hooray ! Bonus-Magic --- the printer malfunction got fixed today too.

Nominee's Name: Alice Wong
Nominee's Unit: Purchasing
Criteria: Problem Solver

Customer Service Example:

Alice Wong is an excellent employee. It is much easier to navigate the ever changing landscape of guidelines here at CAL with Alice's help. Time and time again Alice has gone above and beyond to help us at the zero hour with last minute emergency requests. She has also helped us figure out better options for vendors and supplies that save us money in the end. I really appreciate her friendly and can-do attitude and her ever willingness to help us. We really couldn't do what we do without her.

Nominee's Name: Alice Wong
Nominee's Unit: Purchasing
Criteria: Above & Beyond

Customer Service Example:

Alice was such a great help and went above and beyond with a quick turnaround request the day of the deadline for the CRA exam registration for an RA. She quickly stepped in, set up a zoom call with the RA, and handled the registration the day of the registration deadline. So grateful to her and Cynthia for making this happen so quickly while I was out of the office and for ERSO covering the initial exam costs. Thank you!

Nominee's Name: Daniel Morgan
Nominee's Unit: Payroll
Criteria: Problem Solver

Customer Service Example:

Problem Solver AND Team Player! Daniel was super helpful with a time card issue for a postdoc in NE. The postdoc reached out, unsure of whom to contact, regarding a miscalculation of PTO for his renewal appt. I forwarded the request to ERSO Payroll and by the next day, Daniel had already worked to troubleshoot and submitted a UCPath ticket. The very next day Daniel informed the postdoc of the resolution and when the postdoc would see the update. Daniel went a step further and informed me as to how this error happened AND that he'd communicate to ERSO HR to ensure this doesn't cause issues for others in the future. Thanks so much for the prompt help, Daniel, and for reminding our other functional units so that we can all work better together. Much appreciated!

Nominee's Name: Heather Murthy
Nominee's Unit: Research
Criteria: Team Player

Customer Service Example:

I’ve begun working with Heather more since Earth and Planetary Science was added to my portfolio. I’m frequently impressed by Heather’s tenacity. She takes charge of the requests that are assigned to her and coordinates with her PIs to ensure that proposal and award actions move forward in a timely manner. Heather is willing to ask questions when she needs more information and keeps an open line of communication between SPO and the PIs. She’s a great partner in research administration!

Nominee's Name: Wendy Kung
Nominee's Unit: Reimbursement Services
Criteria: Anticipates Customer Needs

Customer Service Example:

I enthusiastically nominate Wendy for her outstanding customer service. She consistently provides detailed, clear, and anticipates customer's needs which is evident by her meticulous and thoughtful manner in which she addresses questions from our email alias. Wendy consistently goes above and beyond, providing detailed responses that not only answer inquiries but also demonstrate a deep understanding of our customers' needs. Wendy's exemplary communication skills contribute significantly to our positive customer experience. Her attention to detail and thoughtful approach set a high standard for our customer service team. In recognition of her exceptional contributions, I wholeheartedly endorse Wendy for her commitment to excellence in customer service.

Names of People on the Team: Christy Welden, Emily Martinez, Krystle Bartholomew, Melissa Ellingson, Joel Spitzer, Denise Ramirez, Jade Horder, Vincent D Ianniello, Parijat Sengupta, Datta Angelica Gurrola, Esther Feng, Alberto Marcelo, Amaya Gonzalez, Leisa Lei
Team Unit: Human Resources
Which Operating Principle did this team embody? We focus on services

With the departure of the Math AP Analyst for non-senate appointments several months ago, the Department of Mathematics has been working to stay on top of all of the senate and non-senate appointment related activities that are taking place during one of the busiest HR periods of the year, with multiple 7/1/24 changes taking place. The team has done an exceptional job consistently working to support our department by helping to ensure that all requested actions are implemented as the department intends. The overall level of communication between the team and the department, primarily myself, has been terrific and many members of the team take proactive steps to ensure that we are positioned for success. The team is responsive, patient, and understanding, and have given me the confidence to take actions with the knowledge that I am fully supported and I am not navigating this period alone. I am truly grateful for their support and guidance...thank you!

Names of People on the Team: Taylor Madison, Makayla Leahy, Brooke Estrada, Tannaz Ghavidel, Jolo Cabrera, Jennifer Kim, Kimberly Catalan
Team Unit: Human Resources
Which Operating Principle did this team embody? We include and excel together

Student assistants are critical for the work that we do, and we are so fortunate to have the amazing Student Hiring team in ERSO! Recently, we submitted three new hires for our SCET marketing team, and I was really impressed at how quickly they were hired and onboarded. This was really key too because these students are already working on very urgent initiatives. Thanks to Taylor and Makayla for processing these recent appointments, but also thank you to the whole ERSO hiring team! Your support here is very crucial to my team's work, and things would be incredibly different (and less productive) without you all. We appreciate you! Thanks for your hard work.

Names of People on the Team: Chelsea Miller, Amy Frithsen, Taylor Kaserman
Team Unit: Research
Which Operating Principle did this team embody? We focus on services

Chelsea, Amy and Taylor have staffed the Tiger Team since its inception to date, and they have helped RAs with questions regarding proposal details, and solicitation guidance. Each has responded quickly to the needs of the RA, and are most deserving of this High Five Team Salute for Focusing on Service!

Names of People on the Team: Ken Major, Stacy Ruvalcaba, Ruben Speers, Erik Hoopes
Team Unit: Shipping & Receiving
Which Operating Principle did this team embody? We imagine and innovate

I would like to recognize the S&R Team for their efforts to transform the 266 Sutradja Dai Hall space. When I recently visited the S&R receiving area, the space was truly amazing! The space was organized, decluttered, and looked inviting and professional. This may sound easy, but it was an effort by the Team to declutter, organize, and remove at least 3 pallets of junk from the space. Now the space is inviting and more professional. Great work by this Team to prioritize and execute this transformation.

Names of People on the Team: Amy Frithsen, Angela Brito Baldwin, Anne Krysiak, Brian Bratton, Cathy Nguyen, Karen Headrick, and Weixing Ou (Sarah's team!)
Team Unit: Research
Which Operating Principle did this team embody? We include and excel together

Weixing was set to be out for the full month of February, and the entire team rallied to cover her desk. Normally, we operate on a 1:1 desk coverage on our team, but given the length of the outage for Weixing, we had the whole portfolio split between everyone on the team. We all chimed in and volunteered to take anywhere between 1-4 PIs so it didn't all fall to the one designated back up person. Weixing spent a LOT of time putting together detailed information on each PI's portfolio, shared all the financial dashboard reports, and met individually with each person before she was out. Each member of the team (including myself) handled the questions from PIs and assisted with various outstanding items during the month Weixing was out, all while simultaneously managing their own portfolios! Amy even went so far as to set up 1:1s to help other team members in setting up the dashboards, if needed! Everyone collaborated with one another in the team chat and was forthcoming with their time and effort to ensure Weixing's entire portfolio was in good standing when she came back. It makes such a difference when everyone pitches each other out, and I cannot express my gratitude enough - many hands make light work, and it truly did. Thanks, BTE - YOU ALL ROCK!