Mark Rosanes President's Excellence Awards Technical Service and Craft
Mark Rosanes, a dedicated member of the University of Houston’s University Information Technology department, was recently awarded the President’s Excellence Award in the Technical, Service, and Craft category. With over two decades of service at UH, starting in December 2001 and transitioning to UIT in May 2009, Mark has become an essential part of the campus’ communication infrastructure. Mark’s recognition in the Technical, Service, and Craft category celebrates the technical expertise he has brought to his role over the years.
Read more about Rosanes receiving the President's Excellence Award.
Assistant Chief of Police Nominated for 911der Woman of the Year
Assistant Chief of Police Chandra Johnson has been nominated as a 2024 911der Woman of the Year candidate. The honor recognizes the incredible achievements and dedication of women working in the 9-1-1 industry. Johnson’s nomination highlighted her over 35 years of experience in law enforcement, the last 10 of which have been spent at UHPD, where she instituted an evidence tracking system and helped the department become an accredited police agency with the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.
Parking Team Recognized at Conference for APO Designation
Team members of the Parking and Transportation Services Department at the University of Houston were recognized for becoming an Accredited Parking Organization (APO) by the International Parking and Mobility Institute (IPMI). Members from Parking & Transportation attended IPMI’s annual conference in June where the department received the honor. Parking and Transportation Services are taking steps to achieve APO with Distinction designation for 2025.
UH Dining Sr Executive Chef Chad McDonald Wins Awards at NACUFS Nationals
UH Dining Senior Executive Chef Chad McDonald won third place at the NACUFS Culinary Challenge as part of the NACUFS 2024 National Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Representing the Southern Region for the second consecutive year, McDonald’s fruit de mer put him among the top three, winning an American Culinary Federation (ACF) gold medal in the process. McDonald bested his performance from a year ago where he won an ACF silver medal.
UH Fire Marshal Selected for Texas Fire Marshals Association University Committee
Executive Director of Fire and Life Safety/Fire Marshal Chris McDonald was recently appointed to the Texas Fire Marshals Association’s University Committee. He is one of ten committee members chosen from several Texas universities and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The committee exchanges safety information, code enforcement, and technical developments. It also fosters better understanding between local and state governmental agencies and develops high professional standards among university fire marshals.
OEM Director Elected Secretary of the State Office of Risk Management’s Continuity Council
Ginger Walker, Director of Emergency Management, was recently elected to the position of secretary for the State Office of Risk Management’s Continuity Council. The council is a forum consisting of federal, state, local, tribal, and private entities. The council allows members to share ideas, concepts, best practices, and participate in presentations and conferences to strengthen continuity of operations planning programs among agencies of the State of Texas.
DaNesha Allen Presents at NACAS South CX
Director of Food Service, and Director of Contract Compliance, DaNesha Allen gave two presentations at this year’s NACAS South Conference. Allen co-presented Stories in the Data - Breaking Down Data Silos to Drive Better Outcomes in Auxiliary Services with dining colleagues from Auburn University, University of Tennessee - Knoxville and The Solution Design Group. The presentation showcased how UH and the universities use RevenueVision.
UH Dining Services Recognized with Loyal E. Horton Dining Silver Award
The University of Houston’s Dining Services was honored with a NACUFS 2024 Loyal E. Horton Dining Award. The department won silver in the Residential Special Event of the Year category that awards a university department for an outstanding event taking place in residential dining for its strong focus on the student experience. UH Dining Services received recognition for its Diwali celebration that took place at Cougar Woods Dining Commons. The celebration is part of the department’s Cultural Event Series.
Dr. Emily Messa Receives Fulbright Specialist Award to Kuwait at American University of Kuwait
Dr. Emily Messa, University of Houston System Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and University of Houston Senior Associate Vice President for Administration, has received a Fulbright Specialist Program award. Dr. Messa will soon complete a project at the American University of Kuwait in Kuwait to exchange knowledge and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions, and communities in the U.S. and overseas through educational and training activities. Read more about
Dr. Messa’s Fulbright Specialist Award.
Dana Wimer Receives Award at NACAS South Annual Conference
Dana Wimer, Director of Facilities with the Office of Administration, received the New Professionals Award/Scholarship at the NACAS South Annual Conference held at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida. The award grants Wimer full conference registration for the 2025 NACAS South Annual Conference. Wimer’s nomination letter pointed out her immediate impact in supporting various facilities in the auxiliary services division
Copy & Print Honored with Three ACUP+ Awards
The Copy and Print department received three Production & Impression awards from ACUP (Association of College and University Printers). Copy and Print won Gold in the Offset Single-Page category for its President Suite Ticket Holder and Gold in the Offset Multi-Page category for its History Magazine—Agents of Change. The final award Copy and Print received was in the Offset Multi-Piece category, where it nabbed Gold for its Happy Holidays Card—Document Solutions.
Matt Oltremari Receives Award at NACAS South Annual Conference
Auxiliary Services Program Director & Analyst Matt Oltremari received the First Timers Award/Scholarship at the NACAS South Annual Conference held at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida. The commendation grants Oltremari full conference registration and hotel stay for the 2025 NACAS South Annual Conference. Oltremari’s nomination letter brought attention to his role, first as a Communication and Outreach Manager, and now as a Program Director & Analyst with Auxiliary Services, and his selection to be a presenter at NACAS.
Cougar Card Services Receives NACAS Outstanding Collaboration Award
Cougar Card Services was honored at the NACAS South Conference with the Outstanding Partner/Collaboration Award. Cougar Card Services shares the award with Atrium, a campus card management system. The award recognizes a unique, innovative, or distinctive partnership that benefits the university, its respective community, and business partners. Cougar Card Services began using Atrium a year ago and has seen positive effects, such as 93 percent of new on-campus residents having their card by the first day of the Fall 2023 semester.
F/CM receives AssetWorld Steve Deines Achievement Award
Facilities/Construction Management received the AssetWorld Steve Deines Achievement Award at the AssetWorld Conference in Allen, Texas. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in facilities and workplace management using innovative technologies that improve AssetWorks’ suite of products. Read more about how F/CM has used FIXIT to generate meaningful key performance indicators. Dr. Emily Messa Recognized at NACAS C3X with Distinguished Service Award
UH System Sr. Associate Vice Chancellor and Sr. Associate Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. Emily Messa was honored at the 2023 NACAS C3X Conference with the Robert F Newton Award for Distinguished Service. This is the most prestigious award recognizing an individual who has displayed extraordinary and outstanding service to NACAS and to the profession. Congrats, Emily!
UH Wins Best Integration at 2023 Appademy Awards for Bikeep Integration
UH received a 2023 Appademy Award for Best Integration for the Bikeep Smart Bike Parking system that Parking & Transportation and UIT helped implement. The Appademy Awards recognize universities and colleges for outstanding digital experiences in their campus mobile apps.
Evan Broadbent Receives Professional Continuity Practitioner Certification from FEMA
Evan Broadbent, Emergency Management Specialist in the Office of Emergency Management, participated in the Continuity Excellence Series provided by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA). As a result, Evan has earned his Level 1, Professional Continuity Practitioner Certification. Broadbent has been able to incorporate his Continuity Practitioner skills to bring the UH Continuity Program to the next level.
Roy G. Cullen Receives LEED Gold Certification
The University of Houston’s Roy G. Cullen building, one of the first-ever buildings in the university, went through an interior renovation that has now garnered national recognition by being awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Gold level. The recognition comes via the U.S. Green Building Council, which recognizes buildings and communities prioritizing sustainability in their design, construction, and operation. Read more about Roy Cullen’s interior renovation and its
LEED certification.
Ginger Walker receives the C. F. McElhinney Award
Ginger Walker, Director of Emergency Management, was recognized with the Charles F. McElhinney Award for Distinguished Service at the President’s Staff Excellence Awards Ceremony. She was joined by her family, her OEM team, her supervisor, and Senior Vice Chancellor for A&F, Raymond Bartlett, to celebrate her recognition. Walker has served the University for 26 years and was recognized for her dedication, leadership, lasting impact on the University, and her collaborative spirit. Read more about
Ginger’s recent recognition.
Dr. Emily Messa Receives a 2023 Library Excellence Award
University of Houston System Associate Vice Chancellor and Associate Vice President for Administration Dr. Emily Messa received the Dean's Advocate Award at the 2023 Library Excellence Awards. The award recognizes a UH employee who has collaborated with UH libraries during the past year.
Messa received the award for being an advocate and partner in finding opportunities for improving the student experience, plus building a relationship with Dean Jackson in support of UH libraries. Read more about the 23rd Library Excellence Awards.
UH Law Center, College of Medicine, received LEED Certification
The University of Houston’s John M. O’Quinn Law Building and the College of Medicine Building received national recognition this spring by being awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification. The certification comes via the U.S. Green Building Council. For a building to receive the certification, it earns points and adheres to prerequisites that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials used, health, and indoor environmental quality.
Read more about this achievement.Houston Public Media Wins Two Edward R. Murrow Awards
Since 1971, the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) has been honoring outstanding broadcast and digital journalism achievements with the Edward R. Murrow Awards. Among the most prestigious in news, the Murrow Awards recognize local and national news stories that demonstrate technical expertise and exemplify the importance and impact of journalism as a service to the community.
This year, Houston Public Media is honored to win two Regional Murrow Awards for the compelling work on Below the Waterlines, Houston after Hurricane Harvey, and the Latino Voter Engagement Project. Listen to the award-winning podcasts.
UH Dining Services Wins NASPA Excellence Silver Award
The University of Houston Dining Services was honored this month by being recognized as 2022-23 Excellence Silver Award in the Contracted Services, Housing, Residence, Life, and Related category from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). This recognition marks the first time UH Dining Services has won a NASPA Excellence Award. Read more about what UH Dining Services did to win the Silver Award.
UH Wins National Business Award for Occupational Health Initiatives
The University of Houston made history in April as it became the first higher education institution to be named a recipient of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) Business Recognition Award from the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. The 2023 AAOHN Business Recognition Award recognizes a business that supports the health and safety of their workers through a strong Occupational Health and Safety Program. Learn more about
why
UH was selected for this special honor.
Cougar Woods Dining Commons Earns 4-Star GRA Certification
UH’s Cougar Woods Dining Commons earned a 4-star GRA (Green Restaurant Association) Certification, making them the only dining establishment in Texas with that designation. Cougar Woods Dining Commons is also the only Texas university with this rating.
The Green Restaurant Association awarded Cougar Woods Dining Commons the certification due to its green points in categories like water efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable food, and chemical and pollution reduction. Read more about how Cougar Woods Dining Commons earned the certification.
UH Dining Chef Chad McDonald Wins Regional Cooking Competition
Congrats to UH Food Services Senior Executive Chef Chad McDonald for winning the gold at the NACUFS Culinary Competition. Chef McDonald wowed the judges with a Char Siu Wonton Noodle Soup. Judges were impressed with Chef McDonald’s cooking skills, culinary technique and taste. Chef McDonald now moves on to the national level competition at the NACUFS National Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Read more about
Chef McDonald’s victory.
Esmeralda Valdez named NACAS Volunteer of the Year, joins Board of Directors
Esmeralda Valdez, Executive Director of University Services, was named National Association of College Auxiliary Services Volunteer of the Year. Valdez received the award at the NACAS C3X 2022 Annual Conference & Expo, held in Las Vegas.
