The Employee Express

EODA/HR Bi-Weekly Newsletter

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Happy Thursday Broncos! Thank you for tuning in to another edition of The Employee Express, created specifically for our employees here at Cal Poly Pomona. The July 11th issue of our newsletter includes some inspiring spotlights and exciting new opportunities for employees on campus.

If you have content that you would like to include in an upcoming edition, feel free to reach out to me. Happy reading and have a great weekend!

Leah Espinoza

Editor for The Employee Express

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Denise Garretson

LRC Subject Tutoring Coordinator and Math Lecturer

Contribution

In her role with the Learning Resource Center, Dr. Garretson hires tutors who show patience and a willingness to help others. She creates the schedules not only for the Subject Tutoring, but also the concept review workshops, embedded tutoring sessions, and Happy Hour (open study hall). She collaborates with the Learning and Development Coordinator on creating and modifying the weekly tutor trainings, which includes tutoring techniques and learning how to direct students to other resources on campus, supporting students in a more holistic manner. As a math instructor, Dr. Garretson has a group activity every lecture to keep it dynamic and encourage study groups. She makes sure that she is a resource, sharing links to TREE, CAPS, DRC, VRC, and other services on campus because she wants students to seek out support and find a sense of belonging.

Thank you, Dr. Garretson, for your 15 years of service and all you do for Cal Poly Pomona!

Nomination

In her nomination, it was said that, "Dr. Denise Garretson is an example of someone who loves what they do. No matter how busy she may be, she always dedicates time to assist her tutors and coworkers when the need arises. She’ll take the time to listen and offer clear, transparent guidance on matters related to helping tutees who come to seek tutoring for their classes. At times she will go out of her way to escort her tutors to campus resources should they require it. As someone who manages dozens of tutors at one time, she makes it her mission to promote inclusivity in our space by attending events year-round that advocate for underserved student populations. With her Type-A personality, she is known for staying organized and meeting all her deadlines in advance to maintain an effective work environment. She will work to submit her tutors’ hours, communicate with them on essential updates, and will pick up their paychecks from the Provost’s office most of the time. She will attend our tutors’ weekly training sessions and offer thorough feedback on areas of improvement. Moreover, Denise is a team player who often takes the lead to organize our program events. This includes our new hire orientations for our new tutors before the start of each semester and our end of the year celebration where our department recognizes our student assistants for all the hard work they’ve done over the past academic year. At heart, she has a welcoming personality and is known for her insightful conversations and ability to make others feel positive after a good laugh. She will often check on her colleagues and invite them to get coffee during her breaks. It’s one way she reminds herself on why she chose to work the job she works. Despite working her full-time position in addition to her personal responsibilities as a mother, she acquired her Ph.D during the midst of the pandemic. Our program has flourished in the years since Denise came on board, serving as a strong advocate for student success and always going above and beyond to help all students learn and grow. She carries herself humbly and deserves to be acknowledged for her contributions to LRC."

What do you like most about your job?

What is a quick tip that you want the campus to know?

What do you like to do when you are not working?

"I love the tutors that I oversee. They are so amazing, being able to not only manage, but thrive, with school, work, and a social life. I love hearing about their projects and research, and I support them and celebrate with them when they are offered an internship or a job that moves them towards their career. It is bittersweet at graduation time, when I see them go, but I also feel a great pride in knowing they had a safe and welcoming workplace."

"Get to know Cal Poly's resources! Learn about TREE, CAPS, Bronco Cares, and the LRC. Attend professional developments, workshops, and events. The more you know, the more support you can provide to students."

"I like to spend time with my family. We play video games, watch movies, and cook dinner together. During summer, we like to go swimming, and during winter, we like to go to the snow. I also like to read sci-fi books, take walks, and create wire art!"

Is there an employee who you believe goes above and beyond for Cal Poly Pomona?

Submit a Nomination

CELEBRATING OUR CPP ALUMNI FACULTY AND STAFF

Celebrating our CPP Alumni Faculty and Staff

I worked where I learned

The celebration of recognizing our CPP alumni employees continues! Together, there are over 700 CPP alumni who have crossed the commencement stage and chosen to return and make a difference as staff and faculty. We are proud to recognize their incredible commitment to CPP!

From CPP grads to Student Services Professionals

Do you recognize these smiling faces? Meet Fatima, Sam, Hortencia, and Pam - Proud CPP alumni turned Student Services Professionals. Their connection to Cal Poly Pomona didn’t end after graduation. Now, they're guiding our students along their own paths.

Fatima Uc

Academic Advisor

Samuel Nieto

Program Coordinator

Hortencia Santos

Renaissance Scholars Program Assistant

Pamela Adams

College of Business Administration Student Success Center Coordinator/Lead Advisor

CPP Alumni Staff Spotlight

Emily Cabrera

Advising & Retention Coach

As a CPP student, Emily faced many trials, including the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and personal family losses. An internship with the CLASS Student Success Center helped her realize her potential and inspired her to pursue a career supporting college students. Today, Emily serves her alma mater as an Advising and Retention Coach for the Office of Student Success. "I come to work every day hoping to make a difference for at least one student who feels lost and may not know which way to turn for the light."

CPP CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

CPP employees collaborating at a conference table

Discover your next adventure and explore the latest job openings across campus. Whether you’re ready to take the next step in your career journey or know someone who would thrive here, apply or refer a friend today!

Career Opportunities Website

UPCOMING EVENTS

Creating a Healthy Mind

Employee Benefits in a purple dialogue box with a megaphone

Benefits Information Session

Your Retirement Application & Beyond w/ CalPERS

Friday July 12

2 - 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday July 23

9 - 11:30 a.m.

Wednesday July 24

10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

This session is designed to tackle burnout by fostering a healthy and adaptable mindset. Participants will learn the principles of mindful living and develop mindful habits to enhance their overall well-being. The content focuses on building resilience by managing energy across four critical areas: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

Learn an in depth understanding of benefits offered by the Cal State University. Receive step by step instructions on how to enroll and where to locate benefit information. We encourage attendance to assist in forming an educated decision on which benefit plan options are best for you as well as your retirement plan.

If you've completed the Planning Your Retirement class and are ready to fill out your retirement application, then this class is for you. We will cover important post-retirement information, such as how to ensure you receive your first check on time, how to change direct deposit, tax withholdings and lump sum beneficiary information.

Building Self-Esteem Through Positive Talk

Building Self-Esteem Through Positive Self-Talk with Life Matters

Student Timekeeping Training

Learning at the Speed of Trust Series

Wednesday July 31

10 - 11 a.m.

Tuesday August 6

9 - 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday August 7

1 - 4 p.m.

Building Self-Esteem Through Positive Self-Talk is a transformative course designed to empower individuals by harnessing the power of their inner dialogue. This course provides practical strategies to enhance self-esteem, effectively manage conflicts, and handle criticism with grace. Through understanding and practicing positive self-talk, participants will cultivate a healthier and more resilient mindset.

The Student Timekeeping Training is hosted by Payroll Services and will cover the student employee time reporting process, and the department’s roles and responsibilities. A demo will be provided in PeopleSoft HR. All timekeepers and approvers are welcome to join. Please note that training is required before timekeeper or approver access is granted in PeopleSoft HR.

Leading at the Speed of Trust has been identified as the most critical competency for today’s leaders. It affects everything you are trying to accomplish as an individual contributor and a positional leader. Learn how to develop, restore, and extend trust with the team you lead.

View Full Calendar of Events

HR DATA HIGHLIGHT

34083 master paychecks were issued by Payroll Services in FY23-24

Our dedicated Payroll Services Team of 6 Payroll Technicians and 3 Workforce Administration Analysts issued 34,083 Master Paychecks in FY23-24!

You can view your paycheck through Cal Employee Connect. This online portal offers secure access for employees to view paychecks, W-2 statements, enroll or modify direct deposit, and adjust tax withholdings conveniently through a web interface.

Learn More about Cal Employee Connect

EMPLOYEE WELCOME WALL

Join us in giving our Bronco colleagues a warm welcome to their new roles!

THE BENEFITS BUZZ

Thinking about creating a Will? You should and

ARAG Legal Insurance Provider is here to help! Ask an experienced planning attorney to help you understand what to know about the details of a Will and more. ARAG pays 100% of Network Attorney fees. If you are not an ARAG member, you can enroll during Open Enrollment for a monthly cost of $16.95.

How to Work with a Network Attorney

Creating a Will

UPDATES & REMINDERS

New Job Description System JDXpert is Live

You’re invited to the CSU Smartsheet Day

July is Disability Pride Month

Learn More

As of July 1st, 2024, Staff and Management Personnel Plan (MPP) must utilize JDXpert for any action items or revisions to job descriptions, any job description received prior to July 1st will manually be entered into JDXpert by Classification & Compensation. Training resources are available on our JDXpert Resource Kit website.

Learn More

The Smartsheet team is hosting a training and inspiration event for CSU, taking place in-person at the CSU Northridge Campus on Thursday, July 18th and CSU Fullerton Campus on Friday, July 19th! Register to join them at either location to discover best practices, learn what is new in the platform, and receive free training. Please complete your registration by July 11th.

Learn More

Disability Pride Month is an opportunity to honor the history, achievements, experiences and struggles of the disability community. Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to commemorate the passing of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990.

CONTACT US

Contact the HR Customer Service Center

Do you need to request an employee reasonable accommodation? No problem, let us know by sending us an Employee Accommodation Request or by calling 909-869-4095.

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