TRUSTEE WENDA FONG AND MR. DANIEL FETTERLY STAFF AWARD
The Trustee Wenda Fong and Mr. Daniel Fetterly Staff Award is the CSU's first Board-level program recognizing exceptional staff contributions. Funded by Trustee Fong and Mr. Fetterly, the program grants three individual $25,000 awards and one $25,000 team award (shared by up to five members). The inaugural honorees will be recognized at the May 2027 CSU Board of Trustees meeting.
Cal State Fullerton Nominations Coming Soon!
Eligibility
Eligible nominees are current full-time CSU staff members in good standing, including auxiliary and ASI employees, whose accomplishments occurred after January 1, 2026. Preference is given to represented employees, though MPP and confidential staff are also eligible. Faculty represented by Bargaining Unit 3, previous award winners, and student assistants are not eligible for nomination.
Cal State Fullerton Nomination Deadline: December 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST.
Award Categories
Affordability Advocate and Driver of Transformative Change
This award honors an individual whose efforts have a profound impact on making a CSU education affordable and accessible.
- Demonstrates significant impact on affordability and access by reducing student costs or financial barriers, expanding access to resources, simplifying financial processes or pathways, or otherwise making it easier for students to access and persist in a CSU education. Impact may be demonstrated through quantitative or qualitative evidence, including outcomes, feedback, documented improvements, or other indicators of meaningful change. Implements creative, forward-thinking or system-level solutions that lead to meaningful change.
- Actively advocates for affordability through leadership, partnership or influence across departments, institutions or policy spaces.
- Efforts result in lasting practices, policies or programs with potential for long-term sustainability and replication.
First Generation Belonging and Community
This award honors an individual whose work strengthens belonging, access and success for First-generation students by creating programs, services, systems, policies or campus environments that help them thrive.
- Contributions may be direct or behind the scenes but demonstrate a meaningful commitment to improving the first-generation student experience through programs, services, systems, policies, communications, advocacy, mentorship, direct support or other approaches that remove barriers and help first-generation students thrive. Creates inclusive spaces, initiatives or relationships that promote connection, visibility and belonging for first-generation students.
- Builds or strengthens conditions that promote connection, visibility, belonging, access and support for first-generation students, whether through direct engagement or through improvements to programs, policies, systems, services or campus practices.
- Shows clear evidence of positive outcomes or broad influence on first-generation students or campus communities.
Fostering an Inclusive and Equitable Learning Environment
This award honors an individual who is dedicated to student success while promoting equity and inclusion within the university community.
- Creates policies, programs, services, communications, physical spaces, technologies or workplace practices that foster a welcoming, inclusive and equitable campus environment for students, employees and the broader university community that ultimately advance student success and the CSU mission.
- Demonstrates a sustained commitment to equity and inclusion by addressing systemic barriers and advancing inclusive practices.
- Creates learning or campus environments where everyone feels valued, respected and supported.
- Serves as a leader or role model who influences peers, programs or policies to advance inclusive excellence across the university.
Trailblazing Team Award (up to five members)
This award honors a team of no more than five individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in advancing student success and the mission of the CSU. All members of the nominated team must individually meet the eligibility requirements for the Fong & Fetterly Staff Award.
- Demonstrates strong collaboration, shared leadership and effective teamwork in pursuit of student-centered goals.
- Develops and implements innovative approaches that address student needs and advance the CSU mission.
- Achieves meaningful, measurable outcomes that improve student experiences and align with CSU values.
- Creates initiatives or solutions with potential for long-term impact, expansion or replication beyond the initial effort.
Learn more about the Trustee Wenda Fong and Mr. Daniel Fetterly Staff Award
Other Opportunities for Recognition
Although faculty are not eligible for the Fong & Fetterly Award, the Wang Family Excellence Award remains the Board-level recognition program that is designated primarily for faculty.
