A Special Q+A with CSUEB's 30-Year Staff

As Cal State East Bay continues to flourish through education and innovation, it is crucial to recognize the dedicated individuals who have been the bedrock of our institution’s success. We celebrate the 30-year milestone of several remarkable staff members who have dedicated their careers to serving our university. Let’s hear directly from Ellen Suico and Claire Abshire as they reflect on their journey with CSUEB and share their valuable insights/experiences. Responses have been edited for length and style. 

What motivated you to stay at CSUEB for 30 years?

Ellen Suico: I stayed at Cal State East Bay for 30 years because of the campus community, helping students grow, supportive colleagues, and opportunities for personal and professional development.  

Claire Abshire: I started as a student at CSUEB (then called CSU Hayward) and loved the atmosphere of learning and diversity. This led me to seek a job on campus, and I’ve stayed ever since. I find joy in working with students and helping them achieve their degrees. 

How have you seen CSUEB change and evolve over the past three decades?

Ellen Suico: Cal State East Bay has grown with new buildings, embraced diversity and inclusion, integrated technology and expanded student support services. 

Claire Abshire: Over the past three decades, CSUEB has significantly increased its diversity and expanded degree options. 

What have been your most fulfilling or rewarding experiences?

Ellen Suico: Working with students is truly rewarding. Seeing their growth, academic achievements and successes brings me joy and fulfillment. Making a positive impact on their journey is incredibly fulfilling. 

Claire Abshire: My most fulfilling experiences involve working with older students in the BSBA Online Program. Seeing them achieve their degrees brings me immense gratification. 

What advice would you give to new staff members starting their careers?

Ellen Suico: Embrace learning, build relationships, prioritize work-life balance, promote inclusivity and find fulfillment in contributing to the next generation’s growth. 

Claire Abshire: Embrace volunteer opportunities on campus to build connections and gain rewarding experiences. Take advantage of every chance for learning, including training, conferences, and obtaining a degree.

Ellen and Claire’s dedication to fostering academic excellence and genuine care for students have been instrumental in shaping the future leaders of tomorrow. As we look back on their careers, we are reminded of the impact faculty members like them have on the university. We want to extend our appreciation to each of them for their contributions and are inspired by their legacy of excellence. 

Claire Abshire has been employed by CSUEB/CSU Hayward since 1988.  She worked in Admissions for four years, and then began working as an advisor for the College of Business.  She is currently the Director of the BSBA Online Business Program, in connection with University Extension and the College of Business. Claire earned a B.S. in Business, with a concentration in Organizational Communication/Public Relations, with a minor in American Sign Language at Cal State Hayward. She later earned an M. A. in Speech Communication from CSUEB.

Ellen Espedido-Suico is the IT Asset Analyst at CSUEB. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and minor in Public Relations in Manila, Philippines. She migrated to the U.S. in the early ‘80s and began a fulfilling journey as a family person and was blessed with three children and six grandchildren. She has a passion for sports, loves to play tennis, volleyball and swimming. Besides being part of the campus Taiko drumming group, she finds joy in listening to jazz music. She also sings in the choir where she actively contributes to outreach programs like serving dinners at the Sunrise Village Shelter.