By Richard Zagrzecki
University Services Executive Director Esmeralda Valdez was named the 2018 recipient of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education’s Distinguished University Staff Award.
Valdez received the award March 2 at TACHE’s 43rd annual state conference in Dallas.
The award recognizes superior levels of professionalism and accomplishment in the areas of initiative, productivity, critical thinking skills, effectiveness and customer service skills, according to TACHE’s website.
Valdez serves as a mentor for Las Comadres Latina Mentoring Group, where she encourages young girls and women to pursue their best selves by building self-esteem, goal setting and leadership. That includes guiding first-generation Latina college students. In addition, she is a researcher in the Las Comadres team that seeks to document the experiences, efforts and results of the Latina students in the group.
She has been involved in the BOUNCE program, an initiative to reduce obesity-related diseases among underserved communities, with a specific focus on Hispanic and African American youth.
Valdez has been with UH for 26 years, starting as a student worker in the Bursar’s office. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UH and is currently a doctoral student in the Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies program.
This marks the second straight year a University of Houston staff member has received the TACHE Distinguished University Staff Award. Maria Honey, assistant director of marketing and communications for the Office of Administration, was last year’s winner.