Hernan Maldonado, director of the Pathways: Student Services Program in the Lyles College of Engineering at Fresno State, was named one of seven recipients of the first Trustee Wenda Fong and Mr. Daniel Fetterly Staff Awards, according to a May 5 announcement.
The award is part of a new California State University systemwide recognition program for staff. It was created by a gift from longtime Board of Trustees member Wenda Fong and her husband, Daniel Fetterly, to acknowledge the important role staff play in advancing the university’s mission and supporting access, equity, and student achievement.
Maldonado received the Fostering an Inclusive and Equitable Learning Environment Award. This honor recognizes individuals who dedicate themselves to student success while promoting equity and inclusion within their university communities. Winners were chosen from among 120 nominations across the CSU system by a committee that included members from both the Board of Trustees and Chancellor’s Office leadership. Each individual honoree receives $25,000; team awards are shared among members. Honorees were recognized during a regularly scheduled meeting of the CSU Board of Trustees on May 5.
Maldonado has worked at Lyles College for 28 years. He became director of Pathways: Student Services Program in 2007, developing it into a resource center offering academic coaching, tutoring services, workshops on academic excellence, leadership development opportunities, industry exposure events and professional development for more than 2,000 students each year. Under his direction Pathways introduced first-year engineering experience programs as well as mentoring initiatives designed to help students transition successfully from high school or community college into four-year university studies.
He also leads efforts aimed at supporting historically underrepresented students pursuing science, technology, engineering or mathematics careers through directing MESA University Program activities. In addition to these roles he organizes major college events including annual welcome gatherings for students (Welcome Back BBQ), an Industry Expo attended by hundreds each year along with dozens of industry partners; Projects Day showcasing senior design work; as well as summer camps introducing K-12 students to engineering fields.
Dr. Ram Nunna said about Maldonado: “Hernan Maldonado’s contributions to the Lyles College of Engineering reflect a rare combination of sustained leadership, institutional impact and genuine commitment to student equity and success… His impact is defined not by a single program or moment but by nearly three decades of steady student-centered leadership.”
