Zuma Award Winners

The Presidential Staff Excellence Awards, or Zuma Awards, recognize and thank staff who provide outstanding contributions and support to San Diego State University, the community and to fellow employees.

Auxiliary Support

Quincy Cruz, benefits assistant in the SDSU Research Foundation.

Cruz was honored for her dedication to staff recognition and work on the Staff Awards. She is meticulous in her research and creative in her presention.

Manager of the Year

Giselle Domdom, director of digital media and marketing in the Marketing and Communications Department.

Domdom was recognized in the manager category. Her co-workers say she is willing to take risks, learn and adapt in order to make successful digital campaigns. They also praise her patient and supportive teaching as a manager.

Team Effort

Residential education supervisors and residence hall coordinators.

The team supports students, trains residence hall staff and coordinates with departments and offices across campus. 

They ensure student housing is safe and running smoothly and they are often a resource for students living on their own for the first time.

The team consists of:

• Kara Bauer
• Edwin Darrell
• Jenna Hazelton
• Amber Anderson
• Michaele Antoine
• Rondre Ashford
• Gerardo Cabra
• Erin Jonesrebandt
• Adam Sibenaller
• Raymond Savage
• Quinnetta Simmons
• Francisco Velazquez

Innovation

Leroy Lafferty, director of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance laboratory.

Lafferty has managed the lab for four decades. He brought in cutting-edge technology and took on the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of the complicated instruments.

He has trained hundreds of students and contributed directly to the success of the Department of Chemistry.

Staff-to-Staff Mentoring

Cyndi Chie, analyst and programmer in Enrollment Services.

Chie was recognized for her teaching and mentoring in the use of database tools. 

She is known for her ability to explaining databases and empowering users to develop their own knowledge and skills.

Community Service

Chelsea Winer, assistant student life adviser in Student Life and Leadership.

Winer was nominated for her work in organizing and promoting community service and leadership programs for our students.

She has expanded and improved programs such as the aztec unity project, the community service fair and the online system for reporting community service.

Service to the University

Mary Garcia, administrative support assistant for the Department of English and Comparative Literature. 

Garcia's co-workers praise her “can-do” Aztec spirit, professionalism and helpful attitude.

She designed materials for the new portfolio program in our mfa program in creative writing, mentors students and makes a point to attend all important meetings and workshops so that she can answer students’ questions.