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. To subscribe to this listserv, click HERE.

    As we enter the season of gratitude and thanksgiving, I am especially grateful to each of you for your strong perseverance, dedication and commitment that not only reflects the essence of the SPIRIT of service excellence always, but especially now in these challenging times. 

    I am honored to serve as your new leader and humbled by the incredibly talented and brilliant teams we have working for the collective good of the UH community and beyond. 

    In addition, I'm pleased to welcome our new leadership team members who over the recent months were appointed to serve in a leadership capacity supporting the Division and our System components as well.

Our new appointees include the following:

   Karin Livingston, MBA, CPA, was appointed Associate Vice Chancellor/Associate Vice President, Office of Finance, and brings an extensive financial management background and more than 18 years in successive leadership roles at UH;

    Toni Sanchez Benoit, JD, was appointed Assistant Vice Chancellor/Assistant Vice President for Access, Equity and Diversity, having been named the interim AVC/AVP and was formerly the Director of Investigations since May 2019. As part of her new role, she is the UH System’s Title IX Coordinator and organizes grievance procedures for sexual misconduct, discrimination and accessibility complaints.

    Kelly Boysen, MA, was appointed Assistant Vice Chancellor/Assistant Vice President of Campus Safety, and brings an extensive background in emergency response planning and development, having previously served in an interim capacity since the retirement of Malcolm Davis and was the Director of Emergency management since 2015.

    I am honored to serve with these exemplary leaders and ask that you join me in offering them your full support.  To view the complete Division of Administration and Finance leadership team, click here.

   Given all that has happened this year, I am especially proud of the way you all have risen to the occasion and pulled together through these most difficult circumstances.  While it’s all been a bit unpredictable, what is most certain is that we know that we are stronger together than apart, and that when we all pull together, we’ll not only find a way to persevere, but also overcome. 

   Through all the headwinds of this year, there have been moments with shining examples of success stories, as you'll find illustrated in this issue. From awards and accolades to the ability to pivot and adapt quickly in service of our customers, across the Division your individual and collective work stands as a true testament to the essence of what it means to demonstrate the A&F SPIRIT of Service Excellence.

Overall, it's been a season of resilience, perseverance, dedication and determination to go the distance as we continue forward through challenging times. 

On behalf of the leadership team, we'd like to express our sincere appreciation in a "virtual" thank you to all of you. Click here to view the video. 

Thank you again for your enduring commitment and support. And remember…

Stay the course,

Stay safe, and

Stay healthy.

A Very Special Holiday A&F Leadership Video Message of Appreciation

Bringing holiday cheer and a heartfelt thanks to each A&F team member across the Division,  click here to view the 2020 Holiday Greetings from your A&F Leadership Team.

Tis the Season: Holiday Safety Tips For You & Yours

Stay Cougar S.A.F.E. and keep these UHPD Holiday Safety Tips in mind as you enjoy the season. Be sure to print the pdf and keep a copy handy as Santa knows who's been "naughty or nice!" Check out the Stay Cougar S.A.F.E. website and @StayCougarSafe for the latest updates, highlights and ways you can support being a "co-producer" of safety.

UH Makes the Grade: "Princeton Review 2021" 

The University of Houston is recognized by the Princeton Review's "Guide to Green Schools" as one of the 393 U.S. institutions with a commitment to sustainability. Check out the Green Rating scores for 2021 and learn more here. 

Just Launched! Houston Public Media Partnership Series "Improving Maternal Health"

Harris County has one of the highest rates of maternal morbidity among metropolitan areas in the United States.

Join Houston Public Media in partnership with Improving Maternal Health and supported by Houston Endowment for our limited series, Mothers First. This series aims to debunk the many myths surrounding maternal mortality and provide women with information on how to care for themselves before, during, and after pregnancy. We explore the topics of Implicit Bias, Medicaid, Midwives and Doulas, and Domestic Abuse During Pregnancy.

"Building Futures, Maintaining Excellence"

Just announced! Facilities/Construction Management has developed and implemented a new set of mission and vision statements. To learn more the overall collaborative process as part of the recent debut click here.

UIT Laptop Checkout Program Provides Computers for Students In Need

UIT created the laptop checkout program which has helped many students in need to learn remotely during this challenging time. Find out more about how this program was developed and how students responded to it here.

UHPD Top Tier Ranking AGAIN!

UHPD was ranked among the top 500 power-players by Security Magazine. Only two Texas universities made the list with UH as the only public higher educational institution in Texas highlighted.

UH Campus Safety Responds to COVID-19

From the operational units of Fire/Life Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, the Office of Emergency Management and Occupational Health Services, click here to learn more about the overall UH Campus Safety response during this challenging year.

Office of Equal Opportunity Services Delivers SPIRIT of Empathy & Accessibility

With the challenges that came with 2020, empathy and accessibility were especially important this year. The Office of Equal Opportunity Services strives to provide empathetic customer service and accessible resources to all UH community members. "EOS wishes a Happy Holiday to all COOGS. We hope to continue the spirit of empathy and accessibility in 2021!"

It's a Win-Win for @StayCougarSafe Followers  

From social media fun like “Trading Card Thursdays,” “Pin the Mask on Shasta,” UHPD's "Thankful Thursdays," and more join the skyrocketing @staycougarsafe twitter account and learn how you can be a "co-producer of safety" winner!

Get Inspired! ‘Color Field’ Offers Outdoor Respite & Reflection 

Now on view through May 2021, Color Field provides opportunities to question our perceptions while thinking about the impact color has on our lives. Featuring large-scale sculptures by six contemporary artists, this free exhibition on display throughout the University of Houston. 

Invite an A&F Student Ambassador to Support Your Area

A&F Student Ambassadors support customer services across the Division. This semester, the student ambassadors are connecting with departments on opportunities to increase engagement with the larger student body.  Check out this opportunity for valuable student engagement by submitting a service request form to learn more about how to connect with the A&F student ambassadors

P&TS Virtual Town Halls Provide Valuable Information

Parking and Transportation Services held two virtual town halls the last week of October to answer questions and provide updates to services and programs for the fall semester. Together, the events drew more than 260 students, faculty and staff. To view the replay questions and learn more, click here. 

Check out the latest Q&A video with answers to common questions featuring the A&F Student Ambassadors.

Human Resources POWERS UP Employee Well-being and Takes Learning Virtual

From top honors as the leading "Education" workplace participant in the HESS Corporate 5K to providing a record number of flu shots and preventive wellness information, click here to learn about the pacesetting outreach this semester and newly enhanced Catalyst training opportunities available TODAY from your Human Resources team.

Ready to Serve You! Check out the Hours of Operation for Your Customer Service Areas Across the UH Community

From UH Dining to Parking & Transportation Services to Cougar Card and more, check out the latest operational hours for customer service areas within the units of the Office of Administration.

NACAS C3X 2020 Awards Honors the Office of Administration

Celebrated for "breaking new ground," implementing innovation and achieving success," four team members of the Office of Administration were honored at the NACAS C3X Awards 2020 ceremony held this fall.  View the honoree videos for Emily A. Messa, PhD, CASP, Esmeralda Valdez and Deborah Huebler, CASP. In addition, Rosie Ashley was recognized with the 2020 South Regional Rising Star Award and the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship for demonstrating the ability and desire to excel in the field of auxiliary services management.