May 08, 2026 CSUCI's Jennifer Raymond Honored with Inaugural CSU Fong and Fetterly Staff Award

May 8, 2026 - California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) proudly celebrates Jennifer Raymond, Community Partnership Lead for the Center for Community Engagement, as a recipient of the inaugural Trustee Wenda Fong and Mr. Daniel Fetterly Staff Award. The inaugural award marks the first systemwide recognition program dedicated exclusively to California State University (CSU) staff for their exemplary contributions and dedication to student success and institutional excellence.

Raymond received the First Generation Belonging and Community honor, recognizing her work to foster a strong sense of belonging and support for first-generation students.

In her role, Raymond connects students with hands-on learning opportunities that link coursework with community impact. She maintains partnerships with more than 200 nonprofit, education and government organizations and leads initiatives such as the CSUCI Corps, a paid internship program that helps students build career skills while serving Ventura County.

"Across the CSU, our staff are essential to how we serve our diverse students-building trust, removing barriers and creating the conditions for student success every single day," said CSU Chancellor Mildred García. "These awards not only recognize outstanding contributions, but they also affirm what matters most in our system: the impact our people have on students' lives and our shared responsibility to support their success."

"We are deeply grateful to Trustee Wenda Fong and Daniel Fetterly for their generosity, compassion and enduring commitment to the CSU, and for their belief in the people who bring this university system to life each day."

The Fong & Fetterly Staff Award was established through a generous gift from CSU Trustee Wenda Fong and her husband, Daniel Fetterly, to recognize the vital role staff play in advancing the CSU mission and supporting student achievement, access and equity.

"Jennifer exemplifies the heart of Channel Islands-where academic learning and community engagement come together to transform lives," said Interim President Susan Andrzejewski. "Her work ensures our students, especially those who are first in their families to attend college, feel a deep sense of belonging while gaining the real-world experiences that prepare them for meaningful careers and civic leadership."

Selected from 120 nominations across the CSU system, the inaugural award recipients were honored at the CSU Board of Trustees meeting on May 5.