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California State University, Chico - Staff Council, CSU, Chico, CA (2026)

09/28/2026

Congratulations to Blanca Estrada, Grants Specialist with the College of Communication and Education - she is our August 2026 ‘Cats Caught Being Awesome winner!

Blanca was nominated by Char Moffit, who said, "Blanca consistently demonstrates excellence, professionalism, and kindness in everything she does. For the past three years, I have worked on a grant project that provides professional development for school leaders involved with Universal Transitional Kindergarten through the 21st Century School Leadership Academy (21CSLA) across the 11 northernmost counties in California. During the last two years, I have co-led this project with Larisa Callaway-Cole, and Blanca has served as our direct staff support. We are incredibly fortunate to work with her. Blanca is truly a gem. Blanca manages countless behind-the-scenes responsibilities that keep our professional development modules running smoothly. From coordinating materials and scheduling sessions to communicating with participants, answering questions, and ensuring stipends are processed correctly and on time, Blanca handles every task with efficiency and care. Because of her reliability and organization, Larisa and I can focus on supporting educators while knowing every logistical detail is in excellent hands. What makes Blanca especially deserving of recognition is her consistent willingness to go above and beyond. Whether assisting colleagues, responding quickly to community partners, or helping solve unexpected challenges, she does so with positivity, professionalism, and grace."

Thank you for being awesome, Blanca!

06/25/2026

Congratulations to our May and June 'Cats Caught Being Awesome, Cindy McKay and Leanne Woods!

Cindy was nominated by Dr. Maleta Wilson, who said, "I am nominating Cindy for her exceptional care, professionalism, and willingness to go far beyond what her role requires. During an incredibly stressful situation on campus, Cindy was thoughtful, calm, and steady in a moment when those qualities mattered most. She did not simply hand the matter off or step away when the workday ended. She stayed with me well after hours to wait for the University Police Department to arrive, ensuring I was not alone during a difficult and frightening experience.That kind of presence is not in any job description. It reflects who Cindy is as a person and as a colleague. She showed up with patience, warmth, and a genuine commitment to making sure I was supported, not just procedurally but personally. She could have simply kept walking by and out the building. Cindy exemplifies what it means to serve our campus community with heart. She is the kind of staff member who makes Chico State feel like a place where people genuinely look out for one another, and she absolutely deserves to be recognized for it."

Leanne was nominated by Maris Thompson, who said, "In her role as Liberal Studies Advisor, Leanne consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to excellence. Since
she joined the program in 2021, enrollment has grown from 598 to over 830 students. Leanne is instrumental in helping students finish their Liberal Studies BAs and become future teachers. She has worked to transform advising practices from being more transactional to holistic, focusing on students’ academic and personal growth. She meets students where they are and goes the extra mile to help them be successful. In addition to her full-time position as a Liberal Studies program advisor, Leanne is also an advisor for the California Teachers Association-Aspiring Educators (CTA-AE), a student leadership arm of the CTA at Chico. This leadership role has allowed her to connect with our students outside of advising and highlights her strong dedication to mentoring students. She also participates each semester in the Capstone Symposium, the culminating public event for our more than 150 graduating seniors. Beyond her individual accomplishments, Leanne has made a significant impact on those around her. She is exceptional at working with colleagues and student employees in our office, with the many faculty who teach courses in the major, with advising offices in the college, and with the many student services offices we work with across campus. Leanne is an indispensable member of our small but mighty program.

Thank you both for being awesome!

04/28/2026

Congratulations to Kevin Cross - the winner of the March 2026 ‘Cats Caught Being Awesome award!

Kevin was nominated by Jessica Westbay, who said, "Kevin facilitated our IT move over a two day period - by himself - as our departments moved from Kendall Hall to the University Services Building. Over those 2 days, he set up over 20 computer set-ups -- monitors on arms, monitors not on arms, docking stations, keyboards, mice, charging stations, and cords for days! When our teams showed up for work on Tuesday, March 24th, we were able to connect and go. But that didn't stop Kevin from swinging by and answering any questions the teams had and helping with last mintue tweaks and changes, including moving some computer arms. We appreciate the time and effort it took as a solo installer for IT in our new work area. He should be commended for his above and beyond work plus his great attitude while doing it."

Thanks for being so awesome, Kevin!

04/21/2026

Congratulations to Rana Marshall - our March 2026 ‘Cats Caught Being Awesome winner!

Rana was nominated by Ellie Ertle, who said, "Rana Marshall is a beloved, highly competent, caring and skilled member of the UED family. Rana goes above and beyond to support students, staff and faculty - both within Honors, Civic Engagement and UED - and across campus. As you know, she is an important part of Staff Council, can be found helping at events across campus - and is someone that everyone knows, loves and relies on. In the office, Rana is exceptional. Her incredibly capacity for learning and teaching provides mentorship to her colleagues, the students she oversees and the directors she supports. Rana goes out of her way to find and fix problems, to build community and to improve systems. Rana exemplifies the kind of work ethic, humor, care and teamwork that we should all strive for. This award is well deserved and overdue!"

04/20/2026

Congratulations to each and every one of the nominees for the 2025 Staff Excellence Awards! Winners to be announced at the Staff Awards Luncheon on May 21, 2026.

(Not pictured: Stephanie Cello, nominated for the Emerging Leader Award; Steven Wildhaber, nominated for Outstanding Staff Employee of the Year; and Tom Ussery, nominated for the Wildcat Spirit Award)

03/04/2026

Help fund the Joy of Giving for Chico State Giving Day!

Staff Council’s Joy of Giving program organizes departments, offices, groups, and individuals on campus to adopt families and purchase holiday gifts for children selected by Butte County Children's Services. In addition, we supply each family with a $50 grocery gift card. Please help Staff Council raise the funds for the next year’s program with a Giving Day Gift to support this effort!

https://givingday.csuchico.edu/campaigns/staff-councils-joy-of-giving-program

02/27/2026

Congratulations to Maria Moreno of Upward Bound for winnng our February 2026 ‘Cats Caught Being Awesome award!

Maria was nominated by Jen Ross, who said, "When my partner and I became very ill, I reached out to our neighborhood community to ask if anyone might be willing to help us with a few meals while we recovered. Maria was among the very first to respond. She arrived at our door with a beautifully prepared dinner of homemade fajitas, fragrant rice, and homemade chocolate chip cookies that instantly lifted our spirits. The portions were so generous that we were able to stretch that one meal over four days, which was an incredible relief during a difficult week. Her warmth and compassion reminded me how powerful simple acts of care can be when someone is struggling. When Maria arrived, I realized who she was and that we also worked together. What a treasure to also realize not only was she my neighbor, but also one of my colleagues on the third floor. Knowing that such a thoughtful person was part of our everyday circle made the experience even more meaningful. Having a colleague who shows that level of generosity and heart is truly, as I like to say, absolutely PAWSOME every day."

Maria - thank you for being awesome!

01/13/2026

Congratulations to Shannon Grubert from Basic Needs for being our December 2025 ‘Cats Caught Being Awesome winner!

Shannon was nominated by Leah Slem, who said, "I’m nominating Shannon Grubert because she is the definition of dedication and teamwork. When our pantry was short-staffed, she stepped in without hesitation, taking on management of the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry while still overseeing a multimillion-dollar annual budget. She balanced both roles with grace, organization, and care for the students we serve. During the CalFresh benefit delay, Shannon handled an overwhelming increase in pantry orders, found creative storage solutions, and kept everything running smoothly for the 15 to 20 students and volunteers she leads. She shows up on Saturdays to make sure our monthly food distributions go off without a hitch. Shannon is known for her kindness, calm presence, and willingness to help anyone who needs it. She listens, guides, and supports our student staff like family. Thanks to her leadership, we have improved how students access services, expanded our food options, and sustained vital programs like the diaper assistance initiative. Shannon does not just do her job; she props up everyone around her. Her reliability, heart, and work ethic make her an outstanding example of what it means to be awesome.

Way to be awesome, Shannon!

12/15/2025

Congratulations to our November 2025 ‘Cats Caught Being Awesome winner - Andrew Council!

Andrew was nominated by Gary Walters, who said, "I am nominating Andrew for his exceptional dedication and consistent excellence as an FMS mechanic. Andrew is the go-to person for keeping our mowers, blowers, w**d eaters, and hedge trimmers in top condition. He gets equipment repaired quickly and correctly the first time, ensuring that our grounds crew can keep the campus looking its best without delays. Andrew takes great pride in his work and goes above and beyond to make sure every piece of equipment is safe, reliable, and running smoothly. When something breaks down, he responds immediately—often diagnosing and fixing the issue faster than anyone expects. His efficiency and expertise have saved countless hours of downtime and frustration for the team. In addition to his technical skill, Andrew is dependable, kind, and always willing to lend a hand. His positive attitude and willingness to help others make him a valued member of the FMS team. Whether it’s tuning up a mower or helping troubleshoot a stubborn engine, Andrew approaches every task with professionalism and care. He truly embodies dedication, excellence, and teamwork— and our campus is better because of him."

Thank you for being awesome, Andrew!

11/14/2025

Congratulations to Cassie Shelton - the October 2025 ‘Cats Caught Being Awesome winner!

Cassie works in the Kinesiology Department, and she was nominated by Melissa Mache, who said, "Cassie Shelton exemplifies the spirit of dedication, service, and care that makes Chico State a remarkable place to learn and work. Cassie consistently goes above and beyond in her role, working to ensure the success of students, faculty, staff, and the department. Her incredible work ethic is evident in everything she does and is reflective of her genuine desire to support others. Whether she is helping a student navigate a challenge, collaborating with faculty on a project, or assisting staff behind the scenes, Cassie is dependable, responsive, and always willing to step in wherever needed. What truly sets Cassie apart is her kindness and generosity with her time. She never hesitates to pause her own work to assist someone else, and she does so with patience and positivity. Her collaborative spirit strengthens the Kinesiology Department community, making it a place where people feel supported and valued. Her dedication, compassion, and drive to help others succeed embody what it means to be caught being awesome. She is without a doubt deserving of this recognition."

Cassie - thank you for being awesome!

California State University, Chico - Staff Council

09/28/2026

06/25/2026

04/28/2026

04/21/2026

04/20/2026

03/04/2026

02/27/2026

01/13/2026

12/15/2025

11/14/2025

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Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm