Spring 2024 Staff Awards
Mari Arriaza
Administrative Support Coordinator II
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
TELL ME HOW YOU CAME TO WORK AT CPP.
I got bored with working my day to day in dentistry for over 25 years and my sister, who had worked at CPP and retired in 2017, kept talking about how great it was to work at CPP, how wonderful the people were, and how CPP took care of their employees, I decided to apply. I began in 2019 in a temporary position in chemistry, during the pandemic I moved to the Provost’s office and in 2022 I found my way back to chemistry.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I assist the chair with creating our course schedules and I am the timekeeper for student assistants, responsible for the hiring of 40+ student assistants, the department travel delegate, and website editor. I assist with Faculty searches, Lecturer and TA hiring, and the coordination of Chemistry’s Annual Goldstein Research Symposium. I also get to help our students on a daily basis!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
Here in Chemistry & Biochemistry, I see students all day. I get to know them and help them; and now they come in to just to visit and say “Hi”. Some I’ve known since they were Freshmen, and it makes me so happy to see them flourish!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING?
I love spending time with my 19-year-old son!!! Not too sure if he likes it so much though. I’m also a foodie who loves cooking, baking, and trying out all kinds of different restaurants and types of food. I love coffee and finding new coffee shops to visit is a regular weekend experience. I also like going to estate sales and thrift stores, even traveling to different cities just to visit “new to me” thrift stores. Lucky for me, my son is also into thrifting and eating!
TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW.
I’m the 10th out of 10 children and I have 51 nieces and nephews. Family gatherings are a hoot!
Dan Griggs
Public Affairs & Communications Specialist II
(Communications & Events Coordinator)
Dean's Office
TELL ME HOW YOU CAME TO WORK AT CPP.
I have several years of experience in higher ed that includes marketing educational programs and services, teaching, and setting up a digital media center. When the position in the College of Science opened up it was a natural fit because of a lifelong interest in science and technology.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
My role includes communications and events so I handle most college-wide events such as the annual Fall Conference, the Science Research Symposium, and a variety of other events, as well as supporting and promoting events that others oversee.
The communications role is based on the needs of the college and includes everything from executive communications, to social media, website updates, event promotion, enrollment marketing, and advancement communications. I’ve even written nomination letters to nominate our faculty for CSU awards.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I get to work with very amazing students, staff and faculty. In addition to that, because of the many responsibilities of my position, there’s a lot of variety. I’m never bored at work. It’s an exciting job and I look forward to coming to work.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING?
When I’m not working you'll often find me and my wife walking our dog Piña, or working on our house. I sometimes paint watercolors. Mostly, I like spending time with my family and I try to find time to play guitar or piano.
TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW.
One of my hobbies is songwriting. 🎸🤘🏽