ITS proudly recognizes BearHelp Supervisor Francisco Martinez as the September 2025 Employee of the Month. Francisco was nominated by Michelle Ybarra for his unwavering dedication to going above and beyond the call of duty for the UCR community.

Francisco's commitment to outstanding customer service and support is exemplary. In her nomination, Hardware and Software Inventory Coordinator Michelle Ybarra highlighted his consistently excellent work ethic:

Francisco consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty, and his exemplary work ethic is an inspiration to our entire team. I have had the pleasure of working with Francisco for five years, and during this time, he has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to his work.

Michelle also remarked that one of Francisco’s most notable qualities is his willingness to take on even the most complex and demanding last-minute requests. She observed that he handles these urgent tasks without a single complaint, often completing them alongside his existing workload.

Michelle shared a prime example of his dedication: a critical laptop failure for a VIP in Palm Desert. Francisco immediately devoted his time and expertise, illustrating his focus on getting effective results, especially in high-stakes situations. Michelle recounted:

Over the course of three days, Francisco was not just attentive; he dropped everything to attend to this person's issue. He stayed on the phone and remotely accessed the computer as much as was needed to resolve the issues. Francisco was extremely careful and diligent, meticulously investigating every possible solution until he was able to rectify the situation for our VIP.

This level of care and diligent problem-solving is consistent across all his work, ensuring every task is completed accurately and according to protocol, even when facing timelines that seem impossible.

Michelle also lauded Francisco as “one of the greatest technicians” at UCR:

Francisco is not only a hard worker but also one of the greatest technicians we have at UCR. His dedication to his craft is matched only by his caring nature. He is deeply invested in his work and the people he assists, a quality he often demonstrates without even realizing it. It is this combination of skill, diligence, and genuine care that makes him an invaluable member of our organization.

One of Francisco’s remarkable traits is that he doesn't see change as a burden but as part of his responsibility, making him a reliable partner during transitions. Additionally, beyond his diligence, Francisco is a true problem-solver and advocate of technical innovation. If he doesn't have an immediate answer, he proactively seeks it out. And he doesn't just solve one-off problems—he identifies recurring issues and creates long-term solutions.

This is exemplified by how he found a number of solutions to persistent problems by creating scripts and ServiceNow templates. These efforts have not only streamlined ITS’ daily operations but have also created new outlets and opportunities for other teams.

Francisco’s excellent work ethic, matched by his diligence and genuine care for the Highlander community, make him a true asset to our organization. Congratulations on this well-earned recognition!

Do you have colleagues who deserve recognition for their hard work and dedication? Nominate them for one of ITS’ Employee Recognition Programs!

Staff members can be nominated for Employee of the Month or Team of the Quarter. Use our form to submit your nomination for the next Employee of the Month.