Staff Excellence Awards

Our college’s success is built on the extraordinary dedication, creativity, and leadership of our staff. This year, we are proud to launch the inaugural Staff Excellence Awards to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of our staff. The award recipients embody the dedication, creativity, and leadership that enhance our college community and promote student success.

Excellence in Operational Leadership & Innovation

This award honors a staff member who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, or innovation in improving processes, systems, or institutional effectiveness.

Candra Young, Geography

A San Diego native, Candra Young has been a steady presence at San Diego State University since July 2017, working within the Department of Geography. As Department Coordinator, she keeps the daily rhythm of the department running seamlessly, balancing logistics, communication, and scheduling with a careful eye for detail. She thrives on creating order out of busy environments and takes pride in ensuring that everything, from large events to the smallest tasks, is thoughtfully managed and executed.

Excellence in Community & Culture Building

This award acknowledges a staff member who fosters collaboration, inclusion, and a strong sense of community within and across departments.

Susy Di Norcia-Bassi, Dean’s Office

Susanna “Susy” Dinorcia-Bassi is an analyst in the Dean’s Office and has worked there for 15 years. She studied at UC San Diego and San Diego State University and was born and raised in Italy. Susy strongly believes that in the workplace, it is essential to create an atmosphere of collaboration rather than conflict, where communication is key to achieving goals. Her personal interests include running, reading literature, and music. She also enjoys indulging in cappuccinos.

Excellence in Student Impact

This award recognizes a staff member whose work significantly enhances student success, belonging, and overall experience.

Michelle Lenoue, Student Success Center

An SDSU alumna (M.A., Latin American Studies, ‘07), Michelle Lenoue has served the College of Arts and Letters’ Student Success Center for nearly  20 years and is now senior student success advisor and advising coordinator. Twice serving as interim assistant dean, she ensured seamless operations while advancing student success initiatives. She advises multiple programs, coordinates commencement ceremonies, supports transfer and international students, and co-advises the CAL Student Council.

Unsung Achievement Award

This award honors a staff member whose often-unnoticed dedication and teamwork significantly impact our college community and embody its best ideals.

Jaime Lennox, Anthropology

Jaime Lennox, a SDSU alum (B.A. in Anthropology, minor in American Indian Studies, '05; M.A. in Anthropology, '08), began her career as a practitioner of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) in 2011. She started serving as the Collections Management Program Director for SDSU's Anthropology Department, and due to her efforts in this role, she was appointed the University NAGPRA Coordinator by President de la Torre in 2024. In this position, she has had the privilege of collaborating with Native communities across the country on behalf of SDSU. Jaime is passionate about sharing her professional experiences with students, faculty, and staff to promote education and collaboration.