Emeritus

Sandra is a CPP graduate, an MHR major who graduated in 1989. She worked at Parsons Engineering for 6 yrs; Marshall Industries for 6 yrs; and returned to CPP in 2000 as Comp and Benefits Manager for 20 yrs. In 2006, she was promoted to Employment and Comp Manager. Handled re-organizations, reclasses, in-ranges, stipends, oversaw Background Checks, managed Employment/Compensation area, partnered with Unions on a myriad of compensation/employment needs. In 2001, she created the first-ever HR intern program and many of those interns got jobs at CPP. Sandra received the Student Affairs Partnership Award. Her team received recognition from CO for the Best Onboarding Website. She spoke to CSU Compensation Managers on employment/comp topics. CPP was my home for many years. Sandra attended Christian lady’s bible studies and have resumed that on Zoom! The campus is gorgeous, at lunch, she would walk/hike it with friends. She thinks the ranch was so delicious! She now works in HR/Compensation in San Manuel Casino. Sandra and her casino team are building a 5-star diamond resort hotel and spa, called Yaamava’. She lives in Rancho Cucamonga with her dog, Snappy. Sandra likes to bike at the beach, swim, do home maintenance, trade stocks, travel, bowling, hiking, gym. Although retired, she has many working years left and is researching some business investment opportunities.

Deborah Campbell has found working at Cal Poly Pomona as a pleasure and honor. She worked in the SSEP/EOP (Student Support & Equity Program/Educational Opportunity Program) for 32 years under the Executive Director, Leticia Guzman Scott and Director, Doctor Sara Gamez. She has enjoyed the annual Summer Bridge Program, as well as, attending workshops, committees, and conferences throughout the campus community. Deborah has served as Chapter President for 15 years with CSUEU (California State Employees Union) 2, 5, 7 & 9. The last 2 years as Vice President & Chief Steward. Deborah is blessed with 2 children, her daughter Terri, and her son Brandon. She has 2 grandchildren, Bailey 13, and Makai 15. They are the love of her life. She has a little furry friend Prince (dog) who follows her everywhere. He’s her little joy. She is currently engaged and looks forward to uniting their vows next year. Deborah is thankful for being selecting her for this prestigious award.

The 2019-20 school year marked Sonia Campos’ 16th in the Cal Poly Pomona Intercollegiate Athletics Department and her 26th at the university. During her tenure at CPP she earned the Outstanding Staff Award and collected Star Award honors. As the Assistant to the Athletic Director, she worked with student-athletes, coaches, and the athletics staff and was responsible for hiring, scheduling, and supervising student assistants. Campos also helped to develop students as paraprofessionals – one of her most cherished responsibilities. Prior to Athletics, she provided support to the Admissions and Outreach office where she was promoted to Front Office Coordinator where she supervised and led the Admissions staff in processing transcripts, applications and answering student and parent questions. She also served in other office capacities as a Domestic and International Admissions Analyst. She resides in Walnut with her husband of 46 years, Gabriel. Her eldest daughter, Windy, an SDSU alum, is an Educational Adviser. Desiree, an alumna of USC, is the Manager of Financial Aid at Mt. SAC. Campos’ eldest son, Gabriel III, is a graduate of ULV and works in law enforcement. Her youngest, Alex, is a Marine Veteran working in the medical field. She is a devoted grandmother of 11.

Becky Cheng was the Budget Analyst for the International Center for many years. Besides working on the finances for the center, she enjoyed meeting and working with the international students. At one point, she took over Cal Poly’s student exchange program for a few quarters when the exchange coordinator retired. Becky also became the counselor for one of the clubs. During her final years at Cal Poly, she became the Senior Budget Analyst for the College of Environmental Design. Besides the standard financial responsibilities, she enjoyed working with the faculty and helped them with paperwork and managing their grants and special new projects. Becky enjoyed solving financial problems so that plans could be accomplished. For many years, Becky was the coordinator of International Education Week. She worked with various faculty, students and staff to plan the 5-day event in November. This included activities, speakers, programs, and fundraising opportunities for clubs and banquets. Each year, new programs tried to be introduced, and the international students were very proud of sponsoring this event for the Cal Poly community. Becky also worked with the ENV Dean’s office staff on the following events: Fall Conference, ENV Open House, Commencement, Yield Day, etc.

Sharon Cruise was an Academic Staff Senator for 4 yrs. She interacted with the staff and assisted them with situations they needed to resolve. She created Software online for them to talk with each other privately and set up an email to send staff data about academic senate meetings. She also ran the Art fair and interacted with media off-campus bringing Radio, TV, Newspapers, Advertisements, Magazines, off-campus business’s – Flyers, Brochures. The campus community came together in this 1-day event presenting their art, music, dance, to the public. Sharon set up committees and over-saw administration of all, including money for student/staff scholarships. Sharon set up and administered CPP Recreational Cycling with Race Team, and passed this on to Coordinator Ruth Partlow under Dr. John Chan. Sharon was a Member of Staff Council, serving on several committees for several years. In 1994 she worked with the University-wide Art Fair. The money went to the staff council and students for scholarships that exceeded $5,000. From 1997-2001 she worked with the Cal Poly Pomona Cycling Race Team, was their Staff Advisor and Massage Therapist. Sharon also created also administered the CPP Recreational Team with CPP Race Team and ACT American Cycling Team. She also contributed to Wellness Fair and taught students/staff through Student Housing ASI. She began full-time work in the Instructional Support Center Oct. 19, 1988, under the Dean’s Office-College of Science, as Clerical Asst. II. After that she applied for Power Keyboard Operator, then later as Supervising Clerical Assistant IIIA. She worked in the Dean’s Office 9 years as Clerical Assistant IIIA for Associate Dean and became Sr. Secretary to Dean. In 2000, Sharon returned to Instructional Support Center, College of Science as Clerical Assistant IIIA, Re-classed to Instructional Support Assistant II (Tech). 31 yrs in the College of Science. Sharon retired in 12.30.2019.

Dr. Steven DeStafano was born and raised in New York. He graduated and obtained his B.S. from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania in May 1977. He went on to obtain his MD degree from New York Medical College in May of 1981. He did his postgraduate training in Family Medicine at UCLA Medical Center from June 1981 to June 1984 and then had a private practice until 1995. In 1997, Mr. DeStafano joined Cal Poly Pomona as a staff physician at the Student Health Services and remained there until his retirement in July of 2019. He states it was an honor and privilege to serve as a physician to the Cal Poly Pomona students. For the 22 years he worked at CPP, he enjoyed meeting and getting to know many of the students, staff, and faculty.

Cameron Edmonds joined the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation in September of 2006 as the Director of Rooms Operations for the Kellogg West Conference Center. In September of 2008 he became Director for the Kellogg West Conference & Hotel. Cameron retired in June 2020 and presently resides with his wife La Ree in Covina, CA. A 1979 graduate of Western Michigan University, Mr. Edmond’s 38-year hospitality management career has included independent hotel properties as well as major brands including Hilton Hotels, Holiday Inn, and Westin Hotels. He has held a wide range of hospitality management positions including Sales Manager, Director of Sales and Marketing, Director of Hotel Operations, Director of Six Sigma, Destination Services Executive Director, Resident Hotel Manager, and General Manager. Outside of his hospitality career, Mr. Edmonds is an avid trout fisherman, home builder, DIY remodeling enthusiast, past California licensed real estate agent, and motorcycle enthusiast. A native of Illinois, a U.S. Army Veteran and dedicated family man.

Mrs. Elia M Flores is a wife, mother, and grandmother. Mrs. Flores is married to husband, Jose for 40 years. She has 3 children, Jose, Sandra, and Elide. Her son Jose and his wife Elva, recently blessed their family with a beautiful 15 month old daughter. Also included as part of her family is their goldendoodle, Atzín. Mrs. Flores expresses working for Cal Poly Pomona was unlike any other experience she had. She was able to meet many students whom were from all different backgrounds and were full of dreams. While working at CPP, her priority was always to arrive promptly to work to prepare breakfast and lunch to have ready for the students. Working alongside her colleagues, and over time, built a relationship and they became her work family. She feels very blessed for the 17 years she was at Cal Poly Pomona and is grateful for this recognition.

Karen Martin was a Manager of Distribution Services and Graphics. She worked with students managing the resident student’s mail and parcels. She was a member of the Staff Council and served as Vice President and President from 1999 – 2002. She was also the Vice President of Foundation Board of Directors under President Suzuki. While at CPP, Ms. Martin has attended numerous Fall Conferences and served on Hot Dog caper events for many years. Ms. Martin has continued to be a vendor at the University Pumpkin Festival for the last 25 years. Karen Martin says being employed at Cal Poly Pomona for 37 years was a special part of her life. She enjoyed going to work every day and met a lot of wonderful people

Sylvia was fortunate enough to be employed in the in the catering department of Dining Services. As the lead catering supervisor, she was able to interact with administrative staff and faculty, as well as students daily. This was an advantage because it allowed her to get to know many members of our campus community on a personal basis. Sylvia made many friends at CPP, and she misses them. Sylvia and the catering staff enjoyed handling the catering events, and it brought her great pride to do a good job for them, and in doing so the client knew that the catering team truly cared about their work. She thought the student employees that she worked with were terrific kids, many of whom learned a great deal in her department, and she was fortunate to get to know them. Working with off-¬‐campus guests was always exciting and interesting; and she was privileged to meet and handle catering events for many wonderful CPP guests. The best part of working at CPP though was of course the people; the friends and smiles of all who she was fortunate to get to know, will be dearly missed! Her job in the catering department gave her the opportunity to attend campus activities, because she setup catering for many of these events. She setup for most of the annual events, like Fall Conference, Homecoming, Hot Dog Caper, holiday events and the graduation events. She worked hard and sometimes long hours, and other times in poor weather, but it was all worth it. When she received the letter informing her that she had been selected to receive the CPP Management and Staff Emeritus Award, she was first in disbelief, then thrilled! Sylvia never imagined such an honor would be given to her! She had to admit, at first, she thought it was a mistake, then as she continued to read the letter she became so excited, that she couldn’t wait to share it with her family. Sylvia is truly grateful and deeply honored for this award, and she thanks everyone for this most gracious blessing!

Sarah Moussavi considers her 29 years of employment with Cal Poly Pomona a pleasure as each job she held through the years came with added responsibility and prestige. Sarah started out working part-time at the College of Engineering and through her admiration of the faculty and students there, committed to obtain a Bachelor’s degree, which she did in 1998 with a Business degree. Then she started working fulltime at University Advancement where she learned about upper university leadership, VIP donors and the Annual Fund. A few months later came a transfer to the College of the Extended University and held three successive jobs there as a Program Administrator at Project LEP-UPLINK, where she served teachers and administrators from many school districts in the metropolitan area. She was also Executive Assistant to the Dean, and at the Cal Poly English Language Institute (CPELI). CPELI was her longest assignment and her favorite as she encountered hundreds of amazing and interesting English Language learners from all over the world. She said they taught her how to appreciate all cultures and people and how to value diversity. She also had the privilege to travel on recruitment trips to many beautiful countries, so much so that she was inspired to pursue a Master’s degree in English which she completed in 2010. Sarah’s campus involvement included being a VP and Faculty Advisor in the Latino Business Student Association, Committee member of the Latino Faculty, Staff, and Student Association and as Faculty Advisor for the Latter-Day-Saint Student Association. Sarah is so grateful to not only have had a superb and rewarding 29-year career at Cal Poly Pomona, but also an outstanding education for her and her family. She feels that her “greatest contribution to the university and to the world was to assist in building bridges of friendship and understanding between the peoples of the world”.

Robbie Myers’ 23-year journey, at Cal Poly Pomona started in 1996 as a temporary employee in the Cashier’s office, then moved to the University Financial services where she processed travel claims. In 2001 came an opportunity to go to the College of Environmental Design and finally another transition to the College of Agriculture in 2012, where she was until retirement. At the College of Agriculture her responsibilities included working with the budget and part-time Faculty contracts. She had a wonderful time there and misses her daily interactions with her colleagues. She had been a Staff Council member for 6 years and had worked on the Hot Dog Caper and helped with the Food Bank also. Robbie is so grateful for the 23 wonderful years she had working at Cal Poly Pomona, where she’s made some lifetime friendships.

Rhonda Ostrowski began her career at Cal Poly Pomona in October 1983, as a 30-day temporary hire for the Financial Aid Office. On the last day of her assignment, she was scheduled for an interview for the permanent position, which also happen to be the office Halloween Party. Dressed as a vampire, with fangs and all, she won the costume contest and got the job, working her way up from Office Receptionist to Counselor. In January 1995, Rhonda transferred to the College of Agriculture as the Recruitment & Retention Coordinator. Her responsibilities in this role included advising prospective students and their families, provide ag tours, visited high schools and community colleges, attended agricultural events throughout California, developed the Ag Ambassador and Peer Advisor programs, oversaw career day and open house, created a communication plan for applicants, taught AG 100, oversaw the college First Year Experience (FYE) program, assisted with orientation, and provided academic advising to freshmen and sophomores. Their outreach office in 24 years have interacted with over 20,000 students and put over 100,000 miles on the college’s little green mini-van, which they used to joke as just circling the campus over and over and over again giving ag tours! Rhonda retired in August 2019.

Kathleen Payan had worked at Cal Poly Pomona for almost 30 years, until her retirement in December 2019. On January 5th, 2020, and after almost two years of planning, Kathleen, her husband Richard, and their dogs made it to their new home and new life in Roberts, Idaho. Through the challenges of driving in the snow to get there, they feel so blessed to be living in Idaho and their retirement dreams of kayaking, fishing, and snowshoeing. She and her husband met on the Cal Poly Pomona Van Pool and both have worked and retired from Cal Poly Pomona. They are very grateful to Cal Poly Pomona for making their retirement dreams a reality.