Ichinomiya named October’s Civil Service Employee of the Month

Tomoko Ichinomiya, a program assistant for the Office of the President, has been named South Dakota State University’s Civil Service Employee of the Month for October. 

She will be honored at a reception held from 3-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, in Morrill Hall 104, with a program planned for 3:30 p.m. 

Ichinomiya has worked in the president’s office for the past two and a half years and spent several years working with Aramark Catering and the Local Foods Education Center. 

University Event Coordinator Jamison Lamp said Ichinomiya is prepared, organized and willing to do whatever it takes to make an event successful. 

“In the office, Tomoko brings an energetic and positive attitude and is a warm and welcoming presence for guests of the university and president’s office. Across campus she provides a high level of hospitality and organization to university events and functions,” Lamp said. 

Lamp added that Ichinomiya has made a deep impact on the office and campus in her short time with the university. 

Allison Dahl, a creative services specialist with the SDSU Foundation, said Ichinomiya’s professionalism, dedication and positive attitude has made collaboration a truly rewarding experience. 

“Tomoko has impressed me with her thorough understanding of our shared goals and her proactive approach to achieving them. She is always well-prepared, organized and ready to contribute valuable insights and ideas to our discussions. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence are evident in all aspects of her work,” Dahl said. 

Dahl noted that Ichinomiya’s exceptional ability to build and maintain positive relationships is what makes her stand out. 

Andrew Sogn, former assistant director of University Marketing and Communications, said Ichinomiya has proven to be an invaluable asset by supporting her colleagues and always having a positive attitude. Her dedication, diligence and determination lead to high-quality results in everything she does, he added. 

“Tomoko embodies the best of SDSU. Her positivity is infectious, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the workplace. Regardless of any challenges a day may bring, Tomoko always maintains a cheerful disposition, uplifting the spirits of those around her. Her unwavering optimism is truly admirable and sets her apart from others,” Sogn said. 

“Tomoko has proven to be an invaluable asset in our event planning process, where she meticulously coordinates every detail in support of her colleagues and goes above and beyond to ensure success. She leaves a lasting impression on attendees and participants alike, whether it be through scooping ice cream with a smile, ensuring a table decoration is just right, or being the first to say, ‘I’ll do it!’ if a need arises,” Sogn added. 

Ichinomiya grew up in southern Japan, picking oranges in her grandmother’s orchard. She came to the U.S. because she wanted to go somewhere cold, with more animals than people and more wide-open space than her hometown of Fukuoka. 

An SDSU alum, Ichinomiya said she enjoys everything the university has to offer and credited Winnie and Phil Baker for helping her and other SDSU international students get through college. Her husband, Akimoto, is assistant manager of the Davis Dairy Plant for SDSU’s Department of Dairy and Food Science. 

Ichinomiya enjoys being a pet sitter for all her neighbors’ fury friends, and she loves to grow things through permaculture and as a Master Gardener and a McCrory Gardens member. She’s also a member of U.S. Friends, a nonprofit organization started by the Bakers to help the international community at SDSU thrive; is a Brookings Area Community Band supporter; and enjoys attending cheesemaker association events with her husband. 

“I’m lucky to be in this wonderful SDSU family and Brookings community,” Ichinomiya said. “Every day is an adventure to me: something new to learn, somebody new to meet, and something new to smile about. I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by people I admire and look up to.” 

“I love chasing all the fun things happening at SDSU and being part of planning it. You never know where SDSU experiences will take you,” she added. 

All SDSU Employee of the Month selections are determined through a nomination process by the Civil Service Advisory Council. Each civil service employee of the month receives an appreciation monetary gift from the F.O. Butler Foundation. The trustees of the foundation recognize the importance of civil service employees and take this opportunity to thank them for their exemplary service.