Candy Flynn

Student Experience Manager, HTM Master’s Program

I would like to nominate Candy Flynn, our Student Experience Manager for the HTM Master’s program.

For the last eight years – in addition to always being a positive force in the department – Candy has done a brilliant job of supporting our students from pre-application through graduation and everything in between. If you polled our alumni, they would be unanimous in their praise and affection. But she’s also been a dynamo when it comes to recruiting and – this year – her efforts will culminate in achieving our very ambitious target…and with high quality applicants.

Maya Ginsberg

Lecturer, Musicology

The School of Music and Dance has been significantly challenged by the recent, unexpected move of all classes from face-to-face teaching to virtual platforms. Thankfully, we have well-placed, resident experts in online instruction, and both Maya and Justin have gone well ‘above and beyond the call’ to provide tech support and to recommend specific technological solutions for some of the unique issues facing instructors of dance and of music; we owe them both a significant debt of gratitude.

Justin Morrison

Lecturer

The School of Music and Dance has been significantly challenged by the recent, unexpected move of all classes from face-to-face teaching to virtual platforms. Thankfully, we have well-placed, resident experts in online instruction, and both Maya and Justin have gone well ‘above and beyond the call’ to provide tech support and to recommend specific technological solutions for some of the unique issues facing instructors of dance and of music; we owe them both a significant debt of gratitude.

Maggie Shoya

Office Manager

I would like to nominate Maggie Shoya as a PSFA Hero. She is the invisible/hidden element that keeps our JMS school engine running! I don’t know where we would be without her. She has always spent tireless hours to help keep our School running in her role and continues to do now and even more so virtually. We appreciate her so much and all she does for our School! “I wanted to chime in with my support. Maggie Shoya deserves recognition. She has not missed a beat in dealing with paperwork, contracts, reimbursements, etc. - and all the other bits of bureaucracy that are critical to keeping our school functioning. I don’t see how JMS would function without her.” - Noah Arceneaux, Interim Director, School of Journalism and Media Studies.

Noah Arceneaux

Associate Professor

I’m writing on behalf of Dr. Noah Arceneaux, interim director of the JMS school.

Dr. Arceneaux has shown extraordinary leadership, patience and guidance through not only the 2019 displacement of faculty and students due to the PSFA Building issues but in 2020 throughout the pandemic crisis and its impact on the SDSU community. He has not only communicated with JMS faculty on a consistent basis, but has supported us with encouragement and compassion.

From Laura Castaneda - Dr. Arceneaux’s leadership is stellar.

First a building disaster, then a giant move, and COVID-19 pandemic all as interim director!? He never flinched or stopped. He never missed a beat, and his dedication to students continues. Much Gratitude to him!

Sherry Ryan

Director

Regarding Dr. Ryan, when SDSU announced its sudden transition to “Virtual Learning,” I hit the panic button with full force, including authoring and sending a poorly considered and blistering email complaint. Dr. Ryan responded with a measure of grace and wholly non-recriminatory reassurance that immediately disarmed my personal sense of frustration/ anxiety and effectively re-set my perspective. Second, she thereafter volunteered and took the time from her busy schedule to meet with me for approximately 2 hours to personally walk me through (i.e., teach me) Zoom. At a time of tremendous tumult, Dr. Ryan demonstrated exemplary and amazing wisdom, maturity, steadiness, leadership and personal care.

Mei Zhong

Head of International Studies Minor

I would like to thank Dr. Mei Zhong for spending endless hours behind the scenes to help International students and returning study abroad students figure out ways to study when borders are shut down. She is gentle yet unrelenting in her outreach and help to International students and students who want to understand our world - from Beijing to Baja. Thank you, Xie-Xie, Gracias Mei Zhong!!

Niyi Coker

Director of the School of Theatre, Television, and Film

I would like to mention my School Director, ‘Niyi Coker, as a great leader. ‘Niyi is truly the most supportive, kind, and dedicated leader I have ever had the pleasure to work with. His unwavering optimism during times of crisis is inspirational to say the least. This fiercely positive nature, along with accessible support at all levels, provides TTF faculty, staff, and students with confidence as we navigate our unknown future. So, a big thank you to ‘Niyi!

Kellie Quinn

I’d like to nominate Kellie Quinn. She is a graduate of our MPA program, a former Fulbright Scholar, and currently works for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) helping immigrant, refugee families establish small businesses. Her work over the past several years has directly resulted in the establishment of nearly one hundred small businesses that employ members of the immigrant refugee community, making them able to directly support themselves and their families, while supplying the broader community with needed services.

Kathleen Czech

Lecturer

Dr. Kathleen Czech, lecturer and Director of Internships in the School of Communication, has created “Kat’s Kitchen” that provides free meals to order for her students.

Chaz Cabrera

I nominate music education major Chaz Cabrera for his use of virtual technology in the field of music performance. Not only has he created a new way of making a music video with virtual technology, he has created a first-rate product that will rival any video created in a conventional way. The full article and video can be read on KUSI.

Katie Turner

Lecturer

Katie Turner, in the TTF, has shown leadership and vision to both faculty and students during this unprecedented time. In addition to her consistent positive attitude and “can-do” spirit, she provides ongoing Zoom technical support to faculty and she initiated Theatre Folk Fridays to meet the social and emotional needs of Theatre students. As Shakespeare says, “Thanks, thanks, and ever thanks” to our Katie!

Shirley Valencia Gutierrez

Student Services Coordinator

Shirley Valencia Gutierrez goes above and beyond in her support of faculty, staff, and most importantly students.

From Kevin Delgado - Over the past few years—which have seen staffing and leadership change, budget shortfalls, and other challenges—Shirley has been a invaluable source of professionalism and kindness, treating all faculty and students with respect and patience. Shirley is a font of kindness and calm in our School, a professional presence so constant that it often goes overlooked because it has become so typical of our experience. Shirley is the best.

Alane Lockwood

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Assistant Dean Lanie Lockwood has been very supportive of the advisors in the College of PSFA in general, and our work in the International Studies Minor in particular. She provides updated information and offers very specific assistance as needed, especially with explaining policy changes such as the CR/NC issue.

From D.J. Hopkins - In the last month, I’ve also interacted a few times with Lanie—another treasure. She has been a campus-wide voice for sensible, compassionate accommodations for our students during this crisis, and she has the know-how to explain the implementation of these crisis response procedures. Plus: Lanie, too, has put in very long hours over the last two months.

Annie Buckley

Director

Annie Buckley has been incredibly PRESENT, giving extra time and consistent and generous support, as well as marshaling resources to help us through this time.