Surrounded by Excellence at UH
UH staff celebrated at the 2026 Staff Council Awards & Scholarship Ceremony
University of Houston staff were recognized during the 2026 Staff Council Awards and Scholarship Ceremony for the many ways their contributions advance the University's mission and strengthen the campus community.
Held Wednesday, June 17 at the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion, the annual event brought together employees to celebrate the excellence, leadership and essential contributions of UH staff. Hosted by UH Staff Council, the ceremony recognized recipients who were selected from 85 award nominations.
This year’s program included remarks from Staff Council President Marti Trummer-Cabrera and highlighted the meaningful work staff members do every day in support of students, faculty and fellow employees.
"As Staff Council President, I see our Awards and Scholarships Ceremony as a vital way to honor the educational advancement, dedication and impact of our staff across the University of Houston," Trummer-Cabrera said.
Among this year's honorees, was the Institute for Global Engagement — the winners of this year's Team Excellence Award. Their team, comprised of professional staff, graduate assistants and student workers, manages a suite of programs ranging from learning abroad programs to Global Engagement Leadership.
"It's important to take time to uplift the staff who make our campus so great; that's how we build a strong community," Trummer-Cabrera said.
Staff Affairs Chairperson and Staff Council Representative Donna Schneider said reviewing this year's nominations offered a powerful reminder of the influence UH staff have across the University.
"It is clear to me that the staff of UH are the intricate gears that keep the University running," Schneider said. "Although so many of our staff are not front facing, what I saw from the nominations was that behind the clock face of the University are some dynamic leaders who are constantly figuring out ways to improve the experiences of the students we serve."
Employees like William Childress, a senior application developer and recipient of the High Performance Award; and Jason Trippier, director of UH System Properties and recipient of the Inspiring Leadership Award; exemplify the steady competence and essential skills required behind the scenes to keep critical systems operational at UH.
"The work that staff are doing behind the scenes makes me even more proud to be a UH Coog," she added.
The ceremony also recognized scholarship recipients. Each year, Staff Council awards scholarships to UH staff members and their dependents pursuing degrees at UH, helping support their educational and professional goals.
Thanks to generous contributions from the President’s Office and donations from UH staff, 18 scholarships totaling $17,100 were awarded this year.
Congratulations to all the 2026 Staff Council Award winners and scholarship recipients! And a special congratulations to the UH Staff Council for its 40 years of service to our UH community. View the full list of honorees below.
The Institute for Global Engagement was recognized for Team Excellence during the Staff Council Awards and Scholarship Ceremony.
The Institute for Global Engagement was recognized for Team Excellence during the Staff Council Awards and Scholarship Ceremony.
Assistant Dean of Students Lemonte Long (pictured with Staff Council President Marti Trummer-Cabrera) was recognized with the UH Spirit Award. Through his leadership, relationship-building, and steadfast pride in the University, he helps students feel supported, empowered, and proud to be part of the Cougar community.
Assistant Dean of Students Lemonte Long (pictured with Staff Council President Marti Trummer-Cabrera) was recognized with the UH Spirit Award. Through his leadership, relationship-building, and steadfast pride in the University, he helps students feel supported, empowered, and proud to be part of the Cougar community.
B. Renae Milton, a UH alumna, longtime staff member and former Staff Council program manager, with Staff Council President Marti Trummer-Cabrera. The B. Renae Milton Scholarship honors Milton's commitment to supporting families and provides financial assistance to UH students who are dependents of University staff.
B. Renae Milton, a UH alumna, longtime staff member and former Staff Council program manager, with Staff Council President Marti Trummer-Cabrera. The B. Renae Milton Scholarship honors Milton's commitment to supporting families and provides financial assistance to UH students who are dependents of University staff.
2026 Staff Council Award Winners
Rookie of the Year
Shanae Speller
Program Director I, Counseling and Psychological Services, Division of Student Affairs
Optimism Award
Nicole Xi
Senior Coordinator SEVIS Compliance​, International Student & Scholar Services, Division of Student Affairs
High Performance Award
William Childres
ES Application Developer II, Enterprise Services, University Information Technology
Impact Award
Stefan Johnsson
Associate Director, International Students, International Student & Scholar Services, Division of Student Affairs
Inspiring Leadership Award
Jason Trippier
Director ORES UHS Properties, Real Estate Services, Division of Administration
Collaborator Award
Landis Odoms
Academic Advisor II – Dean of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences,
Academic Affairs
UH Spirit Award
Lemonte Long
Assistant Dean of Students, Division of Student Affairs
Team Excellence Award
Institute for Global Engagement
Friends of Staff Council Award
DeAnthony Thomas
Assistant Director of Campus Services, Facilities Management, Division of Administration & Finance
2026-2027 Staff Council B. Renae Milton Students of Staff Scholarship
Jin Yan
Major: Law, UH Law Center
Hannah Rosanes
Major: Biology, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
2025-2026 Staff Council Scholarships
Summer 2026
Mayra Rosales
Degree Completion Specialist, Office of Retention and Graduation initiatives
Major: Communication Sciences & Disorders, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
2026-2027
Julia Brown
Manager, The Honors College
Major: Creative Writing/Literature (English), College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Daniel Chang
Assistant Provost, Academic Programs, Office of the Provost
Major: Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies, College of Education
Katherine Frazier
Program Director, UH Engineering at Sugar Land
Major: Technology Project Management, Cullen College of Engineering
Dell Ivy
Program Manager for Student Experience,
C. T. Bauer College of Business, Office of Undergraduate Business Programs
Major: Business Administration, C. T. Bauer College of Business,
Gabrielle Malone-Miller
Assistant Dean of Students, Dean of Students
Major: Professional Leadership Special Populations, College of Education
Anjanique Mba
Program Manager, Fort Bend County Small Business Development Center
Major: Business Administration, C. T. Bauer College of Business
Christie Penzien ​
Assistant Director of Communication, Access Sign Language Interpreter
Major: Business Administration, C. T. Bauer College of Business
Chris Porras ​
Sr. Career Development Specialist​
Co-Instructor: BUSI 3302, Connecting Bauer to Business, Rockwell Career Center at the C.T. Bauer College of Business
Jennifer Rea
Assistant Vice Chancellor | Assistant Vice President, Facilities Customer Relations and Communications
Major: Business Administration, C. T. Bauer College of Business
Maia Solomon
Emergency Management Specialist, Environmental Health & Emergency Preparedness - Office of Emergency Management
Major: Political Science, Public Policy, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Fall 2026 UH Educational Advancement Scholarships​
Gillian Bautista
Contracts Manager, Office of Contract Administration
Major: Hospitality Leadership, Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership
Cloe Bourdages ​
Assistant Dean of Students, Division of Student Affairs
Major: Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies, College of Education
Aketra Bowens ​
Academic Advisor III, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
Major: Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies, College of Education
Veronica Gonzalez ​
Assistant Director, Donor Relations, Division of Advancement and Alumni
Major: Management and Leadership, C. T. Bauer College of Business
Rebecca Negri ​
Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications, UH Health Family Care Center
Major: Business Administration, Marketing & Management, C. T. Bauer College of Business
Interested in learning more about UH Staff Council? Find information about membership, activities and who represents you on campus on the Staff Council website.
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