Each May, the Staff Council presents Staff Excellence Awards—recognizing individuals who go above and beyond in their service to the campus community. Among the honors presented is the Safety Award on behalf of the Campus Health and Safety Committee. The purpose of the Staff Safety Award is to honor a Chico State staff employee who has done an excellent job promoting safe working practices and fostering safe working conditions for themselves and their co-workers.
This year's winner is Christina Hammans, Wellness Center Coordinator, who impressed her colleagues with the thoughtfulness and thoroughness of the safety measures she has implemented at The Well. In the process of opening this new facility, she asked many questions and pushed for answers to put together an emergency action plan, including evacuation and shelter-in-place procedures. In just its second year of operation, The Well is on track to serve over 16,000 students this year.
Christina implemented special monthly trainings for her student staff at The Well, often focusing on their mental health and personal safety. She has her staff do a walk-through of the entire facility every 15 minutes and documents it on clipboards at various locations to create accountability. She has supplies stored in strategic locations in The Well to ensure her staff and students would be comfortable during an extended lockdown should that become necessary. After realizing cell service and WiFi can be spotty at times in her facility, she obtained a radio walkie-talkie for her staff to augment communications in emergency scenarios, which also allows her team to communicate with building operations staff if needed. She has advocated to make Narcarn available in The Well in an appropriate manner. Looking beyond The Well, Christina recently oversaw a committee that established a staff lounge in the Bell Memorial Union (BMU) that promotes safe food storage and appliance usage practices. She also volunteers as a Floor Evacuation Coordinator in the BMU.
Christina’s efforts reflect an unwavering commitment to fostering a safe, supportive environment for students and staff across campus.
