16
December
2020
|
16:49 PM
America/Los_Angeles

Faculty, Staff Continue to Make a Difference During Pandemic

As Cal State San Marcos faculty and staff continue to go above and beyond on behalf of students and the campus community during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re pleased to highlight some of the campus heroes as nominated by students and colleagues.

Know someone who deserves special recognition for their efforts? Email details to publicity@csusm.edu and we’ll include them in an upcoming edition of this ongoing series.

 

Erin Fullerton, director, Integrated Risk Management

Fullerton was praised for her ongoing work and leadership in helping the university succeed despite the challenges of the pandemic.

“From the earliest developments in the pandemic, Erin has kept our campus informed, corralled resources, identified and filled necessary roles, and brought together key members from areas across campus in order to facilitate a coordinated and strategic operational response,” the nominator wrote. “Although most of her work takes place behind the scenes and may not be visible to many, her contributions continue to positively affect our ability to move forward with confidence.”

 

Vance Kekoa, environmental health & occupational safety specialist, Safety, Health and Sustainability

Kekoa has been responsible for numerous safety implementations, including training and fit testing front-line responders on the proper use of N-95 respirators, developing research reactivation health and safety COVID-19 plans for research faculty, and providing compliance guidance from public health officials, to name a few.

“Vance has been instrumental in developing the plans and procedures for the university’s COVID-19 response,” the nominator wrote. “He and Jennifer Ralph also developed most of the procedures for return to work/school. Their expertise and hard work made our campus safer and is allowing us to reopen in phases.”

 

Roxanne Ocampo, lecturer, First-Year Programs

Ocampo has made an indelible impact in her first semester teaching at CSUSM. The student nominator noted that Ocampo’s GEL course was the highlight of the week.

“She's been my hero this semester,” the nominator wrote. “She brings positive energy and a smile to class every day. She works to make sure students are interacting in class in a way that we also enjoy. She's so supportive and encouraging, and I never miss her class. My experience at San Marcos would be completely different had I not met her.”

 

Jennifer Ralph, environmental health & occupational safety specialist, Safety, Health and Sustainability

Ralph was lauded for her leadership throughout CSUSM’s pandemic safety response, which included countless hours in the Emergency Operation Center when on-campus instruction and activities were halted.

“She worked diligently on return-to-work protocols for the university,” the nominator wrote. “She helped with risk management issues related to COVID-19. Being the only registered environmental health and safety specialist on campus, Jennifer is on numerous committees and her knowledge is heavily relied upon for developing safety protocols. Jennifer has worked with many different departments on campus and government agencies, and she is the glue that holds the university’s COVID-19 safety response together.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314