A Time for Appreciation and Support

UH staff celebrated at the 2025 Staff Council Awards & Scholarship Ceremony

By Natasha Saad

June 23, 2025

University of Houston staff were recognized during the 2025 Staff Council Awards and Scholarship Ceremony for their dedication, service and accomplishments.

The annual event, held June 12 at the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion, brought together employees from across campus for an afternoon of celebration. Hosted by UH Staff Council, the ceremony recognizes staff members who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the University’s mission and values.

This year’s program featured remarks from Staff Council President Karl A. Hearne and President-Elect Dee Crispin-Pincomb and a strong sense of community and appreciation.

“It’s important to reward our campus partners for the outstanding job they’re doing. We want them to know we appreciate their seen and unseen sacrifices,” said Hearne.

For the recipients, the event was an opportunity to reflect on the work they do for UH and what it means to be recognized by their peers.

"I strive to be a transformational leader by supporting students and staff through development and inspiration. Leadership is a calling — one that requires humility, courage and mindfulness. It’s about more than striving for excellence; it’s about people’s livelihoods," said Monica D. Thompson, executive director of University Career Services.

Thompson, who was this year's recipient of the Inspiring Leadership Award, went on to say, "You never quite know how your leadership is received, especially when facing difficult issues, so receiving this recognition is truly an honor. I’m most reminded of the impact when I see staff members grow and advance beyond our department. That’s when you know the work matters."

Along with award winners, scholarship recipients were also recognized. 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. These scholarships help empower staff to continue growing personally and professionally, reinforcing the University’s commitment to learning and development.

Thanks to generous contributions from the President’s Office and donations from UH staff, 15 scholarships totaling $15,900 were awarded this year.

“The scholarship awards ease a burden and allows staff to further their education with less stress,” said Hearne. “We are proud to support our colleagues as they pursue their academic and career goals.”

Congratulations to all the 2025 Staff Council Award winners and scholarship recipients! View the full list of honorees below.

Staff Council President Karl A. Hearne and UH Mascot Shasta posing with Team Excellence award winners Michael Campbell (left) and Gabreille Miller (right).

Staff Council President Karl A. Hearne and UH Mascot Shasta posing with Team Excellence award winners Michael Campbell (left) and Gabreille Miller (right).

Staff Council awards displayed on a table.

Staff Council awards displayed on a table.

UH mascot Shasta celebrating with award winners.

UH mascot Shasta celebrating with award winners.

2025 Staff Council Award Winners

Rookie of the Year
Fatima Moran
Program Coordinator 2, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Optimism Award
Jacorey D. Patterson
Associate Director, New Student Programs Undergraduate Student Success

High Performance Award
Rick P. Greer
Program Director, Chemical Engineering

Impact Award
Erin A. Reed
Associate Director, Graduate Career Services, C. T. Bauer College of Business

Inspiring Leadership Award
Monica D. Thompson, Ed.D.
Executive Director, University Career Services

Collaborator Award
Michelle Girardot
General Manager – Community Arts,
Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts

UH Spirit Award
Imani T. Gaines
Director of Non-Business Advising, Undergraduate Business Programs

Team Excellence Award
Gabrielle Miller
Assistant Dean of Students

Melissa Melendez
Assistant Dean of Students

Emmanuel Owolabi
Graduate Assistant

Michael Campbell
Graduate Assistant

Friends of Staff Council Award

Carrie Taylor
Director, Executive and Internal Communications, University Marketing and Communications

Patrick N. Daniel
Director, Education Testing Services

Division of Administration & Finance

Office of Human Resources

2025-2026 Staff Council B. Renae Milton Students of Staff Scholarship

Isabel Issakhan
Major: Exercise Science, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Parent (Staff): Genny Lee
Project Manager, Student Services

Ashir Bhatti
Major: Honors Biomedical Sciences, The Honors College

Parent (Staff): Khalid Bhatti
Manager, Enterprise Computing, Enterprise Systems

2025-2026 Staff Council Scholarships

Blessing Obot
Executive Administrative Assistant, Office of the Provost
Major: Integrated Studies

Stephanie Perez-Gill
Director, ACES Institute, College of Education
Major: Doctor of Education

Mayra E. Rosales
Program Manager, Office of Retention and Graduation Initiatives
Major: Communication Disorders Post-baccalaureate Leveling Program, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Maria L. Honey
Director, Stanford Alexander Center for Real Estate,
C. T. Bauer College of Business
Major: Doctor of Education

Luke Parnell
Program Manager, Student Center
Major: Media Production

Erin Herder
Program Manager II, Department of Health and Human Performance, College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Major: Master of Science in Management and Leadership

Joshua M. Jones
Accountant II, Controller
Major: Doctor of Jurisprudence

Toria Jones
Sexual Misconduct Support Services Manager, Women and Gender Resource Center
Major: Master of Social Work

Laura Zavala- Membreno
Director, Women and Gender Resource Center
Major: Doctor of Education

2025-2026 Women Gender Resource Center Scholarships

Gillian Bautista
Contracts Manager, Contracts Administration
Major: Doctorate of Hospitality Leadership

Jennifer Rea
Executive Director, Facilities Construction Management
Major: Doctorate of Business Administration

Maia Solomon
Emergency Management Specialist, Office of Emergency Management
Major: Doctorate of Public Policy

Stephanie Eisenbaum
Program Director 2, GLOBE Program, Adjunct Faculty
Major: Doctorate of Social Work

Interested in learning more about UH Staff Council? Find information about membership, activities and who represents you on campus on the Staff Council website.