Comprised of Division features, accolades and achievements, as well as valuable "In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)" news you can use, each edition of the newsletter highlights key information and resources across the Division's departmental, operational and service unit areas. Subscribe to the A&F listserv.

Dear Colleagues:

As we launch a new calendar year, I hope all A&F employees enjoyed a safe and peaceful holiday break, spent time with family and friends, and that everyone is recharged and energized to embark on the new academic semester.

With the successful launch of the spring 2024 academic semester, my congratulations to all Administration and Finance staff on the semester opening and for the operational support you provided to care for and protect our buildings, grounds, and community during the winter freeze this month. I appreciate all your individual and collective efforts in ensuring a successful start to classes for our students, faculty, and staff.

Also, this month significant construction began for the campus lighting project, an $18 million university investment in safety and security to upgrade lighting in key areas and parking lots. Much of the construction activity this spring will be underway in Parking Zone E, located at Wheeler Avenue and Cullen Boulevard, as we work to improve lighting in this area of campus.

January also marks the release of the A&F 2023 Annual Division Highlights publication. The annual publication showcases our division’s accomplishments in 2023 and the progress that we have made to support the University of Houston’s progress toward recognition as a top 50 public university.

Other notable items, reminders and divisional updates in this month’s newsletter include:

• A feature on the CPR training course offered by Occupational Health Services.
• The many training courses that are available this spring from the University of Houston Police Department, Human Resources and Campus Safety.
• The release of Impactful Outcomes 2023 from the Office of Administration leadership, highlighting progress toward strategic goal completion.
• A video detailing UH Dining Services transition to become a cashless operation.
• The first opportunity to RSVP for our divisional employee appreciation luncheon and award ceremony, scheduled for April 4.

These are just a few of the featured articles this month. Please review the newsletter to stay connected with all our divisional updates and reminders for this new calendar year.

I am grateful to all of you for the outstanding work and support you provide daily to support our campus community and strengthen student success. I look forward to another successful year for the division.

Administration and Finance Presents the 2023 Annual Highlights 

The 2023 Annual Highlights publication spotlights the exceptional achievements of Administration and Finance employees and departments throughout the calendar year. The information and infographics in the publication showcase the commitment and dedication of A&F staff’s strategic V.I.S.I.O.N. to achieve the University of Houston’s goal of recognition as a top 50 public university. Recap a magnificent 2023 by reading the Annual Highlights.

A&F Staff Appreciation Event

A&F employees should submit their RSVP for the A&F Staff Appreciation Event scheduled for April 4 at 11 a.m. in the Student Center South, Houston Room. This event is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the 2023 accomplishments of A&F staff plus recognize employee service to the university. Learn more about the A&F Staff Appreciation Event and how to RSVP by visiting the event website.

Office of Administration Releases Impactful Outcomes

As a way of demonstrating accountability toward goals in their strategic plan IMPACT 2027, in January, the Office of Administration leadership released its annual highlights document Impactful Outcomes, which highlights progress toward strategic goal completion during calendar year 2023.

“I am so proud of Office of Administration employees and teams on their focus toward helping the university realize its goals of recognition as a top 50 institution and our number one priority of student success,” said Emily Messa, Sr. Associate Vice Chancellor/Associate Vice President for Administration.

“I look forward to the progress on our strategic goals in 2024 and supporting our employees and teams in achieving even greater successes this year. Our employees continually ask, ‘How can I make a positive impact on the university?’ as we focus on continuous improvement across all our programs and services.”

Read Impactful Outcomes from the Office of Administration.

Occupational Health Services Offers Free CPR Training Course

For the past year, the Occupational Health Services department has offered free American Heart Saver CPR/AED Training to interested employees. The four-hour course gives participants the skills necessary to recognize and respond appropriately to cardiac emergencies in adults, children, and infants. Upon completion of the course, participants receive an American Heart Association CPR/AED certification valid for two years. Read more about the CPR training offered by Occupational Health Services.

UHPD 2024 Winter Leadership Retreat

Supervisors and managers from the University of Houston Police Department set time aside to take part in the UHPD’s annual Winter Leadership Retreat. The retreat allows supervisors and managers to reflect on the previous year’s lessons and accomplishments while looking forward to 2024.

“We continually update ourselves to make sure we’re doing the right things. And the focus of this year’s retreat is making sure we know how this place works,” said UHPD Chief Ceaser Moore. “So, we focus in on some specific areas to make sure we do better with Human Resources, Equal Opportunity Services, and that we’re doing the right thing for the community.”

A&F Assists with UH Classroom Refresh Program

Studies have indicated that classroom design impacts learning across all grade levels and at higher education institutions. Beyond learning, however, well-designed classrooms contribute to students’ academic motivations and social engagement.

Several general-purpose classrooms at the University of Houston received recent makeovers to support student success and enrich faculty instruction. Credit these upgrades to UH’s Classroom Refresh Program, an ongoing initiative that oversees and manages the updates University instructional spaces. Learn more about how Facilities/Construction Management and University Information Technology are assisting in this endeavor.

Asado Now Serves All Halal Protein

Asado Tacos & Bowls, the Student Center eatery that combines mouthwatering South American flavors with savory proteins in bowls and burritos, now serves all-halal protein and will comply with halal food preparation guidelines. This initiative showcases UH Dining Services' dedication to catering to the unique needs of the campus community by providing culturally specific and healthy meal options.

Cougar Cudos

To nominate a fellow staff member, fill out the Cougar Cudos Nomination Form.

Meet the A&F Communications Council

The A&F Communications Council is comprised of representatives that represent the broad departments that encompass the division. Below is a complete list of the council representatives.

• Facilities/Construction Management | Erica Vazquez 
• Auxiliary Services | Rebecca Walton 
• Campus Safety | Sharon Pellas  
• University Services | Kathy Fieldcamp  
• Equal Opportunity Services | Mandisa Oliver 
• Houston Public Media | Kori Lee 
• Human Resources | Elizabeth de Leon 
• Administration and Finance | Hazel Mascarenhas 
• Parking & Transportation Services | Richard Zagrzecki  
• Public Art of the University of Houston System | Ileana Yordan Cuevas  
• UHPD Police Operations | Officer Felipe Gutierrez
• University Information Technology | Catherine Ellett  

Please contact your department’s representative to share items for inclusion in the A&F newsletter.

Auxiliary Services’ DaNesha Allen Earns CASP Certification

DaNesha Allen, Director of Food Services, earned a CASP, Certified Auxiliary Services Professional. The designation is a four-year certification that demonstrates recipients have met a high standard of excellence, as defined by experts in the industry, and that they have the skills necessary to be a Director of Auxiliary Services.

Allen showed an exceptional knowledge base in many areas, including Leadership, Management, Student Development, Communication, and Auxiliary Operational areas. Additionally, to gain this designation, Allen had to be proficient in skills, terminology, and processes used to work in dining, housing, bookstores, parking, card services, and upper management.

Former Parking & Transportation Manager Becomes UHPD Officer

The Parking & Transportation department wants to congratulate Roger Epps, former Parking and Transportation Evening Manager, on receiving his Texas Peace Officers Certification and becoming a University of Houston Police Officer. For Epps, who has been with Parking & Transportation since 2010, it’s a return to where his UH career started as a security officer.

“Roger was the eyes and ears of the operation after normal business hours,” said Allen DeForde, Assistant Director of Parking & Transportation. “He managed setting up for events the following day, broke down events that occurred that day, managed the enforcement, and ensured all 105 gates remained in service and defects were corrected,” said DeForde.

Parking & Transportation wishes Epps all the best in his new career endeavor.

UH Market Stores Transitioned to Reusable Bags + Straws

In January, UH campus market stores transitioned away from plastic bags and straws. The on-campus market locations will have reusable bags and straws available for purchase for shoppers who need one. Transitioning to reusable bags and straws will reduce the use of plastic on campus.

CERT Training Registration for the Spring Semester Now Open

Registration for CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Training is open for the fall semester. The 8-week course starts on February 23rd and ends on April 12th. The training, organized by the Office of Emergency Management and Fire & Life Safety, trains participants in how to prepare themselves, their family, and their neighbors, in the event of a disaster.

Participants can expect to be trained in disaster preparedness, fire suppression, disaster medical operations, search and rescue, incident command system, terrorism awareness, and disaster drills and simulation. Learn more about CERT and sign up today to reserve your spot.

Skywarn Storm Spotter Training set for February 23 

The Office of Emergency Management is hosting a Skywarn Storm Spotter Training on February 23 from 9-11 a.m. at the Leroy & Lucille Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting in the Houston Public Media building. The class is free and open to the public.

Attendees can expect to learn the basics of thunderstorm development, the fundamentals of a storm structure, how to identify potential severe weather features, and how to report severe weather to the National Weather Service in a timely and accurate manner. Register today to reserve your spot.

UHPD Offers CRASE Training

Do you know what to do in the event of an active shooter situation? To learn what to do in the case of such an unfortunate event, UHPD offers CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events) Training for students, staff, and faculty. The training course is designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, and Defend (ADD) strategy developed by ALERRT in 2004.

Attendees can also expect discussions on the history and prevalence of active shooter events, civilian response options, medical issues, and considerations for conducting drills. The spring semester CRASE training dates are February 7, March 6, and April 2.

Learn more about UHPD’s CRASE Training.

Upcoming CATALYST Training Courses from Human Resources

Discovering the Different Communication Styles | January 31, 9AM – Noon 

• Discovering the Different Communication Styles is the most requested CATALYST class on campus and focuses on interpersonal communications. Using the DISC Behavioral Assessment tool, participants will learn their individual communication style and how to best communicate with different styles.

Franklin Covey’s 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity; February 14, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

• This class will provide tools and strategies to increase the productivity of individuals, teams, and organizations. Participants will understand how to make more selective, high-impact choices about where to invest their valuable attention, energy, and time.

Learn how to register for these and other CATALYST trainings, in the CATALYST App.

ePerformance Evaluation Reminder

Human Resources leadership reminds employees to complete the 2023 ePerformance evaluation by the February 2nd deadline. To complete your ePerformance evaluation (once your manager has shared the document with you), log into AccessUH, head to P.A.S.S. HR, and then select Performance.

From the menu on the left-hand side, select Current Documents and click on the 2023 document. Next, select Review Manager Evaluation from the left hand, then View. The page will display your manager’s evaluation. Once you’ve read through it, select “Acknowledge” to finish the process. Learn more about ePerformance.

UHPD Releases Coffee with a Cop Dates

The University of Houston Police Department has released its Coffee With a Cop Dates for the spring semester. UHPD officers set up at the Student Center South for the hour-long event and this provides an opportunity for campus community members to meet and talk with UHPD officers. The department bills the event as “no agenda or speeches, just a chance to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the officers on your campus.” Additionally, UHPD officers will be serving attendees free coffee and baked goods at the tabling event.

The Coffee With a Cop Dates are: February 14, March 20, and April 17

Shahzia Sikander’s Exhibit Opening Celebration & Artist Talk set for February 28 

Experience the grand opening of artist Shahzia Sikander’s “Havah...to breathe, air, life” exhibition on Wednesday, February 28, from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Cullen Family Plaza Fountain. The multimedia exhibition by the globally recognized artist is a culmination of Sikander’s exploration of justice and female representation in public monuments.

In an artist talk, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Sikander will share insights into her artistic process, inspirations, and the stories behind her captivating work. More information on the opening celebration, including how to secure your event ticket, can be found on the event website.