'Cats Caught Being Awesome

Blanca Estrada - College of Communication and Education

Congratulations to our August 2026 ‘Cats Caught Being Awesome winner!

Blanca was nominated by Char Moffit, who said, "Blanca consistently demonstrates excellence, professionalism, and kindness in everything she does. For the past three years, I have worked on a grant project that provides professional development for school leaders involved with Universal Transitional Kindergarten through the 21st Century School Leadership Academy (21CSLA) across the 11 northernmost counties in California. During the last two years, I have co-led this project with Larisa Callaway-Cole, and Blanca has served as our direct staff support. We are incredibly fortunate to work with her. Blanca is truly a gem. Blanca manages countless behind-the-scenes responsibilities that keep our professional development modules running smoothly. From coordinating materials and scheduling sessions to communicating with participants, answering questions, and ensuring stipends are processed correctly and on time, Blanca handles every task with efficiency and care. Because of her reliability and organization, Larisa and I can focus on supporting educators while knowing every logistical detail is in excellent hands. What makes Blanca especially deserving of recognition is her consistent willingness to go above and beyond. Whether assisting colleagues, responding quickly to community partners, or helping solve unexpected challenges, she does so with positivity, professionalism, and grace."

Leanne Woods, Liberals Studies Advising - June 2026

Leanne was nominated by Maris Thompson, who said, "In her role as Liberal Studies Advisor, Leanne consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to excellence. Since she joined the program in 2021, enrollment has grown from 598 to over 830 students. Leanne is instrumental in helping students finish their Liberal Studies BAs and become future teachers. She has worked to transform advising practices from being more transactional to holistic, focusing on students’ academic and personal growth. She meets students where they are and goes the extra mile to help them be successful. In addition to her full-time position as a Liberal Studies program advisor, Leanne is also an advisor for the California Teachers Association-Aspiring Educators (CTA-AE), a student leadership arm of the CTA at Chico. This leadership role has allowed her to connect with our students outside of advising and highlights her strong dedication to mentoring students. She also participates each semester in the Capstone Symposium, the culminating public event for our more than 150 graduating seniors.  Beyond her individual accomplishments, Leanne has made a significant impact on those around her. She is exceptional at working with colleagues and student employees in our office, with the many faculty who teach courses in the major, with advising offices in the college, and with the many student services offices we work with across campus. Leanne is an indispensable member of our small but mighty program.

Cindy McKay, International Education and Global Engagement - May 2026

Cindy was nominated by Dr. Maleta Wilson, who said, "I am nominating Cindy for her exceptional care, professionalism, and willingness to go far beyond what her role requires. During an incredibly stressful situation on campus, Cindy was thoughtful, calm, and steady in a moment when those qualities mattered most. She did not simply hand the matter off or step away when the workday ended. She stayed with me well after hours to wait for the University Police Department to arrive, ensuring I was not alone during a difficult and frightening experience.That kind of presence is not in any job description. It reflects who Cindy is as a person and as a colleague. She showed up with patience, warmth, and a genuine commitment to making sure I was supported, not just procedurally but personally. She could have simply kept walking by and out the building. Cindy exemplifies what it means to serve our campus community with heart. She is the kind of staff member who makes Chico State feel like a place where people genuinely look out for one another, and she absolutely deserves to be recognized for it."