UH Staff Council’s 2024 Awards and Scholarships

Members of Staff Council leadership presenting the Staff Council Awards and Scholarship Ceremony.

Members of Staff Council leadership presenting the Staff Council Awards and Scholarship Ceremony.

Winners of the Staff Council Awards pose with their awards in their hands.

Winners of the Staff Council Awards pose with their awards in their hands.

The Facilities & Construction Management team were one of the winners of the Friends of Staff Council Award.

The Facilities & Construction Management team were one of the winners of the Friends of Staff Council Award.

UH staff members were also recognized for their educational pursuits in the form of scholarships.

UH staff members were also recognized for their educational pursuits in the form of scholarships.

University of Houston staff members were once again center stage during the 2024 Staff Council Awards and Scholarship Ceremony. Several employees were recognized for their steady commitment and incredible contributions to the University’s mission.

Organized by Staff Council, the annual event brought employees together from across UH to celebrate at Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion. Each award season, staff members nominate their peers to honor their hard work and contributions; more than 70 nominations were submitted this year. Staff Council selects awardees based on how they embody diverse aspects of staff excellence such as leadership, innovation, customer service and teamwork.

“UH is comprised of such talented and dedicated staff,” said Staff Council President Whitney Johnson. “Having the Staff Council Awards is a great way to showcase and celebrate the UH staff community who help strengthen this remarkable university.”

This year, an additional aspect of staff excellence was added — the inaugural UH Spirit Award, which celebrates a staff member who consistently upholds and demonstrates UH pride.

“It’s an honor that my peers and University community recognized me for the UH Spirit Award,” said Natasha Saad, communications coordinator in University Marketing and Communications. “I love attending UH events, as well as participating in Cougar Red Friday, so it feels great to be recognized for it!”

Saad said that as an employee receiving the UH Spirit Award matters because it reinforces the values and culture of the University. She hopes it will motivate others to get involved on campus.

Recognizing Academic Endeavors

Scholarship recipients were also recognized at the event. Each year, Staff Council and the Women and Gender Resource Center award scholarships to UH staff members, as well as their dependents, who are earning their degree at UH.

This year, $16,000 was distributed in scholarships, which were funded through contributions from the President’s Office and generous donations from UH staff. Each scholarship aims to reduce the financial challenges associated with higher education expenses and empower staff members to actively pursue their aspirations.

"Having this scholarship is uplifting and will allow me to focus on my studies and worry less financially," said Celina Sandoval, manager in the Office of Board of Regents and Staff Council scholarship recipient. "Staff Council is integral to the culture here at UH. Offering scholarships to staff on their higher ed journey is a great example of the work they do to connect with Coogs and be impactful with meaningful support."

Congratulations to all the 2024 Staff Council Award winners and scholarship recipients! See below for a complete listing of this year’s honorees.

2024 Staff Council Award Winners

Rookie of the Year
Stephanie Escobar
Student Success Advocate, Student Services

Optimism Award
Erik Johnson
Administrative Coordinator, Center for Student Advocacy and Community

High Performance Award
Guadalupe Ayón
Business Department Administrator, Hispanic Studies

Impact Award
Evan Broadbent
Emergency Management Specialist, Office of Emergency Management

Inspiring Leadership Award
Christa Rieck
Assistant Vice President, Facilities/Construction Management

Collaborator Award
Egina Villalobos-Hernandez
Research Associate, College of Pharmacy

UH Spirit Award
Natasha Saad
Communications Coordinator, University Marketing and Communications

Team Excellence Award
Center for Advocacy and Community
Michael Crook
Director
Kevin C. Nguyen
Director
Chelsea Martinez
Director
Jessica Haney
Program Manager
Gracen Jinks
Program Manager
Erik Johnson
Administrative Coordinator

Friends of Staff Council Award
Betty Cruz
Assistant Manager, Technology Services and Support
Jessica Villasana
2023 CFI Volunteer
Jesse Villasana
2023 CFI Volunteer
Facilities & Construction Management
Faculty Senate
Office of Human Resources
University Marketing and Communications

2023-2024 Staff Council B. Renae Milton Students of Staff Scholarship
Isabel Issakhan
Major: Exercise Science
Parent (UH staff): Genny Lee, Project Manager, Student Services

Kelly Tran
Major: Optometry
Parent (UH staff): Kim-Hue Tran, Director, Finance and Admin

2023-2024 Staff Council Scholarships
Julia Brown
Communications Manager, The Honors College
Major: Ph.D., College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Daniel Chang
Executive Director, Academic Programs
Major: Ph.D., College of Education

Katherine Frazier
Director, Cullen College of Engineering
Major: M.S., Cullen College of Engineering

Maria Honey
Director: Student Services
Major: Ph.D., College of Education

Toria Jones
Sexual Misconduct Support Services Manager
Major: M.S.W., Graduate College of Social Work

Stephanie Perez-Gill
Director, College of Education ACES Institute
Major: Ph.D., College of Education

Chelsea Martinez
Assistant Director, Center for Student Advocacy Community
Major: Ph.D., College of Education

Celina Sandoval
Manager, Office of Board of Regents
Major: M.A., College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Allison Sullivan
Program Coordinator, Career & Development Alumni
Major: M.S.W., Graduate College of Social Work

Laura Zavala-Membreno
Director, Women and Gender Resource Center
Major: Ph.D., College of Education

2024-2025 Women Gender Resource Center Scholarships
Aketra Bowens
Academic Advisor 2, Economics
Major: Ph.D., College of Education

Stephanie Eisenbaum
Program Director 2, GLOBE Program | Adjunct Faculty
Major: Ph.D., Graduate College of Social Work

Lawrence Nissen
System Analyst I, Information Technology Availability Center
Major: M.S., Cullen College of Engineering

Carina Pouraryan
Development Associate, Medicine and Health Advancement
Major: M.S., C. T. Bauer College of Business

Amy Reid
Director of Student Services, Galveston SBDC Bauer College of Business
Major: B.B.A., C. T. Bauer College of Business