Award Winners

Recipient: Andrea Marie Handy

Current Role: Learning and Development Consultant

Department: Employee and Orgnizational Development and Advancement

Andy has put in so much time and effort with our first leadership development program (EDGE). She teaches from the heart and shows so much compassion when transferring learning to others and helping them navigate obstacles. Andy provides valued contributions that are not always seen to those outside of the classroom however; the campus is better because of the way Andy touches the minds and hearts of others while in the classroom. Andy has the customer experience in at the center, and does so much to make this place a better place to work. Andy is willing to help and support wherever and whenever she can. Andy has even taken on projects like the COVID training, and the Cascade where she has had to learn the content then turn around and teach it. I am so proud to have such a hard worker on the team that makes everything better.

What three hashtags describe you best?

#ambitious
#happy
#helpful

What is your favorite spot on campus?

I started my role at Cal Poly Pomona in March of 2020. Just a few short days later, we went to remote work! I have not had the opportunity to enjoy all the wonderful and hidden gems that Cal Poly Pomona has to offer. I am excited to see the Rose Gardens, the Kellogg House, the Arabian Horse Center and so many other places that I have heard my peers speak of!

Recipient: Michelle Cano

Current Role: Payroll Analyst/PS Specialist

Department: Payroll & Benefit Services

Michelle is our behind the scenes guru - sometimes it is our behind the scenes employees we forget about and I want her to know the work she had done over the past year has not gone unnoticed. She and I had a heart to heart conversation about training our new employees. After much discussion, I said to her we are the ones that need to change how training has been done in the past and it is up to us to make it better. She took that conversation and began the transformation. She created a Payroll onboarding Microsoft teams site, created a schedule of training topics, and began the work in partnership with Joanne Castillo. From the start of COVID-19, Michelle has setup tools for the staff to use in our remote work environment. She introduced the Payroll team to Microsoft teams platform on the 2nd day of COVID-19 remote work. She created online folders, forms, etc. She is valued and I appreciate the work she does behind the scenes to make all our work lives easier, which gives our teams the ability to meet customer expectations. Thank you Michelle for being heart centered by caring enough to make a difference, people-oriented by making it your goal to ensure our new employees feel welcomed, customer-focused by establishing tools for your team to do the work, and finally by contributing in a way that brings value and ease for all involved.

What three hashtags describe you best?

#optimistic
#reliable
#conscientious

What is your favorite spot on campus?

This campus has so many great spots! But one of my favorites has to be the AGRIScapes/Farm Store. They have fresh organic produce locally grown and a great nursery.

Veronica Nolasco “is” the four pillars of EODA. She approaches situations with our customers as the focus. She follow-ups with other teams for information needed when responding to our customers. Veronica is not only professional and dedicated with her people oriented thoughtful service, she also naturally follows up with previous customers to ensure quality and support when she has transferred customers to other EODA teams for specialized service. Veronica seeks out advice and support from other CSC team members, her lead, other EODA units and department management when needed. Her willingness to learn and ask questions helps her gain additional knowledge to better serve our customers. I appreciate her hear-centered approach and ability to calm frustrated customers to help provide solutions and not focus on a negative. Veronica supports cross training at the CSC and is supportive to our student HR CSC team members. Even in difficult situations, Veronica remains calm and is engaging to the customers.