April 2026 A&F Times
April Column
Spring has certainly sprung—itchy eyes and runny noses included! May I have a tissue and some eye drops, please!?!
This spring, I am reminded that the greatest part of working here at SSU is you. I continue to believe that we are not simply in the business of checking emails, creating reports, holding meetings, or submitting paperwork, we are in the business of people. Everything we do serves others. May we never lose sight of that.
As we are in this season of growth and renewal, I'd like to take a moment to highlight some of the projects we currently have in Facilities Management also focused on these themes. Each of these efforts represents growth, progress, and the turning of a new leaf for our campus. While there is much work yet to be done, projects like these remind me of the resiliency of our community and leave me feeling confident in the strength of our future.
- The Gardens at the Rec | An outdoor recreation and wellness area between Campus Recreation and Darwin Hall featuring workout equipment, an Olympic-size sand volleyball court, climbing boulders, slacklines, cornhole, and seating designed for relaxation and connection.
- Keys on the Plaza | A welcoming seating area in Seawolf Plaza with charging stations and a playable outdoor piano, creating a space to gather, study, recharge, and share music.
- Parking Lot & Road Repairs | The rehabilitation of Parking Lot H and additional road repairs across campus.
- Nichols Hall Renovation | This major investment in Sonoma State University will include the complete renovation of Nichols Hall to transform the space into a modern facility to support the growth and advancement of SSU's School of Nursing.
Let this season also be a time of renewal in your professional relationships. Be quick to apologize and just as quick to forgive. Show care to those around you and seek opportunities to serve. If you’re having a difficult day, shift your perspective and find someone you can lift up. Life is short, yet spring returns to us once again. The flowers bloom, and the bees dance to an unheard melody. Perhaps that’s the secret, we should always be dancing as if no one is watching. Above all, choose gratitude and practice it daily. May the spirit of spring’s renewal live within you. Peace and goodwill to all.
What's Happening on Campus
Seawolves Dig In!
Please join the Sonoma State campus community on Friday, April 24, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Wine Spectator Learning Center for the fourth annual Seawolves Dig In community engagement event in celebration of Earth Week!
This is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to participate in hands-on gardening projects across campus in collaboration with other members of the SSU community. Participants will roll up their sleeves and get their hands a little dirty while honoring the earth and being educated on the sustainable landscaping practices our campus has initiated.
If you are interested in participating, please register in advance to receive additional logistical details. Sustainable SSU baseball hats will be provided to the first 125 participants, and each person will be assigned to a team based on their preferred tasks. No experience or equipment is needed! Gloves, tools, and directions, along with morning refreshments will be provided.
Give to a Campus Cause
On April 23, 2026, the Sonoma State community will come together to celebrate generosity, connection, and a shared purpose. Giving Day is a moment to reflect on what unites us and the transformative impact we can make when we support students and one another. There are many ways to give in support of Sonoma State University. Your generosity brings our mission to life to offer an excellent and affordable education while encouraging students to reach their full potential. Through gifts large and small, we can touch the lives of current and future students, promote research, support programs, and help the greater community. For more information on Giving Day, visit givingday.sonoma.edu.
Shoutouts!
The SFBRN ITS team has been holding sessions with Network staff and managers across all three campuses to align on strategic priorities for the group. The work was aimed at running a visioning session where everyone could provide their input into the future of IT within the SFBRN by providing inputs that will define the mission, vision, values and associated strategic priorities of the SFBRN technology group. This collaborative effort brought forth many insights, including commonalities and differences among the groups, and provided a safe and open place for everyone to contribute and explore the value of IT within the three campus environments. Special kudos to those who helped guide and facilitate each session, including Ivonne Mejia Berzunza, Lanaya Gaberel, Sadie Pettit, and Jake Hornsby.
Shoutout to Jessica Way, who was honored last month at the Women's History Month luncheon in the Kitchens!
Jenna Hennessy (Student Center), Adina Apilado (Student Center), and Alison Schneider (Facilities Management), along with 8 other women from across campus, were honored at the first annual Women of Impact luncheon on March 12th, organized by the HUB. The Emerging Leader Award was given to Adina (student assistant at the Student Center), Alison was awarded Staff Excellence, and Jenna earned the Campus Care & Community Award. Congratulations!
Kudos to the student staff in the Student Center and Culinary Services, who stay busy even in "slow times", like spring break! The staff was hard at work during the quiet week, cleaning and getting spaces ready for service.
Celebrated Anniversaries in March
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Bryan Dinno | Payables |
| Kenneth Russum | Operations & Engineering |
| Michael Peters | Kitchens |
| Frank Soll | Operations & Engineering |
| Jason Hight | University Police |
| Leila Kinson | Parking |
| Lauren Antoni | University Culinary Services |
| Mark Van Aggelen | Mail & Receiving |
| Ryan Johnson | Enterprise Applications |
| Steve Bartnowski | Maintenance |
| Gabriela Chew | Campus Prints |
| Eulogia Sanchez Sandoval | Housekeeping |
| Greg McDivitt | Landscaping |
| Melissa Jacobi | Housekeeping |
| Jennifer Aaseth | IT Project Management Office |
| Vaughn Bellwood | Workstation Security & Services |
| Haywood Brown | Operations & Engineering |
| Kevin Dahlstedt | Operations & Engineering |