Office of Administration

Emily A. Messa, Ph.D., CASP
Senior Associate Vice Chancellor & Senior Associate Vice President Administration

Supported by a dedicated staff, student employees and 300-plus contractors, the Office of Administration provides a foundational infrastructure of services for the campus community and also cultivates ongoing growth and proactive master planning of fundamental UH initiatives in collaboration with campus community partners in support of the UH mission and transformation as an innovative pacesetter for future success.

  • Tap In: Mobile Cougar Cards Arrive at UH

    This fall, the University of Houston is putting the Cougar Card in the palm of your hand. With the launch of the Mobile Cougar Card, students, faculty, and staff can add their credential to a smartphone or smartwatch and access campus services with a simple tap. The transition follows years of planning and collaboration among Cougar Card Services, University Information Services, Enterprise Systems, and Cougar Access Control Services.  mobile Cougar Cards.

  • Nearly $78 Million Saved: CTAP Continues to Support Student Success

    As students prepare for the start of the fall semester, the University of Houston's Cougar Textbook Access Program (CTAP) continues to make course materials more affordable, having saved students and families nearly $77.8 million since launching in spring 2022. n spring 2026, CTAP achieved an 85.2% participation rate, reflecting strong student support and continued demand for affordable access to course materials. Learn more about the CTAP program.

  • Ramen, To-Go Meals and More: UH Dining Debuts Fall Upgrades

    From customized ramen bowls to expanded meal exchange access and the return of to-go meals, University of Houston Dining Services is rolling out several upgrades this fall designed to make dining on campus more convenient, flexible and responsive to student needs. Many of the changes were shaped by feedback from the Food Service Advisory Committee, which includes student, faculty, and staff representatives. Read more about the fall updates from UH Dining Services.

  • Campus Parking and Transportation Gets Safety, Technology Upgrades for Fall

    Returning to campus this fall? You may notice a few improvements before you even get to class. The university completed lighting enhancements in Zone B, with additional upgrades underway in Zone C, as part of ongoing efforts to improve safety and visibility across campus. A new parking gate is also being added to Zone B. Learn more about the new parking updates.

  • Advisory Committees Give Students Seat at Table

     The University of Houston’s advisory committees serve as key forums for informing decisions that shape the campus experience. Within the Office of Administration, two such committees — the Food Service Advisory Committee and the Bookstore Advisory Committee — have long included student members who provide valuable insight from a student perspective. See how students have made lasting impacts on the advisory committees. 

  • Cougar Woods Hosts Celebrity Chef Pop-Up

    A celebrity chef brought bold flavors to the Coogs House at Cougar Woods Dining Commons on April 29. Victoria Elizondo, chef and owner of Houston’s Cochinita & Co., took over the La Mesa station during lunchtime, serving pollo adobado (chicken) and cochinita pibil (pork) tostaditas with fresh toppings. Find out more about Elizondo and how students loved the tostaditas. 

  • Cougar Card Team Attends NACCU Conference

    Cougar Card Services’ director, Cassie Bruner, Ph.D., and assistant director, Daisy Del Fierro, attended the National Association of Campus Card Users 2026 Annual Conference in Covington, Kentucky. The event brings together campus identification and transaction systems professionals in higher education to network, attend educational sessions, explore the latest industry trends in technology and techniques, and learn about new options that could impact campus community services. 

  • Aspiring Cooks Shake It Up at Teaching Kitchen

    Excitement and focused energy filled the room as 11 members of the Cougar community prepared kale shaker salads during a UH Dining Services’ Teaching Kitchen class held in the Health 2 Building. The event, attended by a mix of students, faculty, and staff, was part of UH Dining Services’ weeklong Earth Day celebration. Learn more about this fun and interactive class.

Resources

  • Microsoft Authenticator Has Replaced DUO

    As part of the University’s ongoing efforts to protect accounts and personal information, the University has transitioned our multifactor authentication (MFA) service from Duo to Microsoft Authenticator. The move to Microsoft Authenticator provides several benefits for the University community such as stronger security, more consistent sign-in experience, and simple account management and support. 

  • Contact CCO for IDs, Event Check-In Devices

    The Cougar Card Office team is available to assist UH staff and faculty with obtaining their first Cougar Card or replacing a damaged, worn, or lost card. Cougar Card Office also has event check-in devices that are available through short-term or annual rentals by filling out the rental form. Learn more about the Cougar Card check-in devices.

  • Rent a Space at CPH for Your Event

    Cullen Performance Hall has three rental options to hold your next event, meeting, or celebration: the full theater, the stage, or the lobby. Each location has optional services that can be provided, such as catering, ushers, security, and setup. For more information, visit the CPH website or fill out the rental form to speak with a member of the team.  

  • CPD Offers Tours of Facilities

    The University’s full-scale print shop and mail and delivery unit provide the benefit of being on campus. Competitive and/or reasonable prices are available on all print and copy jobs. For those interested in seeing the Copy, Print and Delivery Services team in action, tours — which can last up to an hour — are available by emailing printing@uh.edu.

  • Amazon Locker – Creativity Opens On Campus

    A new Amazon locker hub has been set up on campus. Amazon Locker  – Creativity is conveniently located at the Student Center South, 4455 University Drive, outside of Chick-fil-A and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When placing an order, select the locker "Amazon Locker  – Creativity" from the list during checkout and check the confirmation box to prevent delays.

 

 

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

  • Bruner Receives Campus Card Champion Award

    Cassie Bruner, Ph.D., director, Cougar Card Services, received the NACCU Campus Card Champion Award during the National Association of Campus Card Users 2026 Annual Conference in Covington, Kentucky. Bruner was recognized for her positive impact on the effectiveness of the Cougar Card Office and for advancing the card system’s development of the Event Attendance Tracking Program. The program strengthened interdepartmental collaboration and embedded the system into academic and co-curricular initiatives campuswide.

  • Rogers Earns New Professional Scholarship

    Dakota Rogers, program manager, Auxiliary Services, received the New Professional Scholarship at the NACAS South CX Conference held in Charlotte, North Carolina. The scholarship provides Rogers with a complimentary registration to the 2027 NACAS South CX Conference to be held in Clearwater, Florida. Rogers’ nomination letter praised him for successfully managing customer service for the University’s campus store and equitable access programs, and communications for all Auxiliary Services programs which include dining, vending, and supports outreach efforts to promote the departments across campus.

  • Parking and Transportation Services Presented Parking Technology & Equipment Award

    Parking and Transportation Services, along with their Dealer Partner, PSX Houston, received the Texas Parking & Transportation Association 2026 Parking Technology & Equipment Award. The award recognizes outstanding innovation in the Texas parking industry. Parking & Transportation received the award for a complete overhaul of gate equipment on campus including all of the entry and exit machines in all of the gated lots and garages. This overhaul also included the license plate readers (LPR), which vastly enhanced the permit-holder experience by being able to get in and out of the lots much more effectively.

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    A&F V.I.S.I.O.N. Award Winner: Del Fierro

    Daisy Del Fierro, assistant director, Cougar Card Services, received the A&F V.I.S.I.O.N. Award at the Administration & Finance Staff Appreciation & Awards annual event.

  • A&F Silent Service Award Winner: Bautista

    Seleste Bautista, graphic designer, Copy, Print and Delivery Services, received an A&F Silent Service Award at the Administration & Finance Staff Appreciation & Awards annual event.

  • A&F Star Performer Award Winner: Mitchell

    Seleste Bautista, graphic designer, Copy, Print and Delivery Services, received an A&F Silent Service Award at the Administration & Finance Staff Appreciation & Awards annual event.

  • A&F Star Performer Award Winner: Crews

    Cindy Crews, director, Parking and Transportation Services, received an A&F Star Performer Award at the Administration & Finance Staff Appreciation & Awards annual event.

  • A&F Team Innovation Award Winner: P&T ADA Parking Program Team

    Parking and Transportation's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Parking Program Team received an A&F Team Innovation Award at the Administration & Finance Staff Appreciation & Awards annual event.

  • A&F Team Innovation Award Winner: P&T ADA Parking Program Team

    Parking and Transportation's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Parking Program Team received an A&F Team Innovation Award at the Administration & Finance Staff Appreciation & Awards annual event.

  • A&F Team Impact Award Winner: Directional Signage/Online Map Team

    Copy and Print Services received an A&F Team Impact Award for their efforts as part of the Directional Signage/Online Map Team at the Administration & Finance Staff Appreciation & Awards annual event.

  • Cougar Woods Receives Waste Reduction Award

    Cougar Woods Dining Commons received the 2026 Green Restaurant Association Waste Reduction Award by reducing the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill with back and front of house composting, weekly food bank donations, and reusable plates, cutlery, and recycling plastics, glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard, grease, batteries, electronics, appliances, and renovation materials.

  • Cougar Woods Earns Sustainable Seafood Award

    Cougar Woods Dining Commons received a 2026 Green Restaurant Association Sustainable Seafood Award for serving 100% sustainable seafood.

 

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