Fall 2020 Staff Award Recipients

CIDNI GRIFFITH

Administrative Support Coordinator II
Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Cidni Griffith has been with Cal Poly Pomona since 2004. She was hired to support a grant. The grant’s purpose was to address the shortage of math and science teachers by preparing prospective teachers for the CSET credential exam. 

After the grant concluded, the Dean’s office asked Griffith if she would stay on permanently; she’s been an integral part of the Mathematics and Statistics Department ever since.

Initially she oversaw the preparatory math program that helped students that were admitted, but not quite ready for college math. Now most of her responsibility revolves around scheduling. She works with Jennifer Switkes to input, and maintain the course schedule each semester. She communicates and confirms multiple schedules for the part-time faculty, and lecturers.

Because math is a general education requirement there are many students enrolled in math courses, so scheduling classes is a huge undertaking. There are around 300 sections being offered in Fall 2021.

In addition to handling that, Griffith supports many aspects of the department including absence reporting, creating ballots for departmental elections, and taking minutes of biweekly department meetings. She also volunteers to work at commencement, supporting the Dean’s Office by assisting with VIP seating, and many other things.

“When I did my first commencement in 2018 I was new at CPP and Cidni’s knowledge and support were so valuable and helpful to me,” Communications and Events Coordinator Dan Griggs said. 

“I like the College of Science faculty and staff.  They’re very receptive and helpful. It can be stressful but we support each other,” Griffith said.

Her favorite part of the job is helping students and being able to find solutions for them. “I like solving the puzzle and making things work. It may not be the way you originally envisioned it but we get there,” she said.

Griffith is friendly and personable. You would never guess that she considers herself shy. She credits a course in public speaking that she took in community college with helping her overcome her shyness.

When not working she likes to see new places and recently visited the Sierra Nevada mountains with her husband and two dogs.

DIANA ASCENCIO

Student Services Professional II (Advisor)
College of Science Advising Center 

Alumna Diana Ascencio (’16, management & HR) has been an Advisor in the College of Science Advising Center since 2019. She has an MS in education with an emphasis in higher education.

While attending CPP, Ascencio held several jobs starting with the Cesar Chavez Center for Higher Education. She served as ASI Vice President, worked in orientation services, and worked in the Undocumented Student Center. Ascencio was also a participant in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). While working on her MS at CSUF she was a resident advisor supervisor/graduate assistant.

“This is one of my favorite work environments. It’s really great to see what students get excited about. It’s super interesting to find out about the research. I almost wish I’d majored in science,” Ascencio said.

As an advisor, she sees her role as being the person who understands all the CPP resources and policies. Her philosophy is that advisors help students understand the curriculum, not just the requirements but why it’s necessary.

The advisors also conduct workshops and this past semester they conducted registration, graduation, career, and petition workshops. “We find the things that are confusing students or giving them trouble and try to fill that gap,” she said.

Ascencio supported the transition to remote work and assisted her supervisor with creating and offering a virtual drop-in hour for advising.

There are always changes that students need help with. Ascencio was hired after semester conversion but she has assisted students who still needed help because of conversion. In the fall the CSU will add a new GE requirement of ethnic studies and social justice. Ascencio anticipates the need to help transfer students navigate the new requirement since community college students don’t have that same requirement.

For Spring 2021 Semester Ascencio led the orientation process and is leading the summer orientation for the college. Orientation is important because for many students it’s their first encounter with the people and resources that will support their success.

Ascencio praises her mentors Terri Gomez and Lorena Marquez for providing support and opportunities. While she was an undergrad at CPP Ascencio was able to attend the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) in Guadalajara. It was a profound experience for her, being able to attend a professional conference and meet CPP administrators that included then president Ortiz.

When not working, Ascencio enjoys spending time with family and walking her dogs.