Faculty and Staff Awards 2024

LAUNCHED IN 1974. STILL SOARING.

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

DEAR UHCL COLLEAGUES,

As we convene for our 45th Annual Faculty and Staff Awards ceremony, we continue the esteemed tradition of celebrating the remarkable achievements within our UHCL family. This event shines a spotlight on those individuals whose tenure, professionalism, expertise, and unwavering dedication significantly enrich our students' educational journey and our institution's overall excellence. Your individual and collective efforts are the bedrock upon which UHCL stands, crafting and delivering transformative educational experiences that equip our graduates for success in their personal and professional lives and contribute meaningfully to the broader society.

With immense pride and gratitude, I extend my warmest congratulations to this year's honorees. Your dedication, commitment, and pursuit of excellence have not only furthered our university's mission but also made a significant impact on our community. You embody the values and aspirations of UHCL, making contributions that are valued and appreciated. The resonance of your work extends far beyond our campus, inspiring not only your colleagues and students but also the community at large.

I also express my deepest appreciation to our esteemed retirees. Your legacy is a testament to the profound influence of committed educators and staff and a beacon of respect and honor. The knowledge, wisdom, and dedication you have imparted have left an indelible mark on the fabric of UHCL, shaping countless lives and fortifying the foundation of our university.

As we look ahead, let us carry forward the spirit of excellence and collaboration we celebrate today. Your achievements are a testament to the power of teamwork and shared goals. May the achievements we honor inspire us all to continue striving for greatness, fostering an environment where every member of our community can thrive and excel.

Once again, congratulations to all the honorees. Your achievements underscore the vibrant intellectual community we have cultivated at UHCL. I look forward to witnessing the continued growth and success that each of you will surely bring to our university.

Sincerely,

Richard Walker, Ed.D. UHCL President

FROM OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

DEAR FACULTY AND STAFF,

Our success as a university is dependent upon the dedicated work of individuals across our university community. The work you do every day transforms the lives of our students and impacts the region we serve. I am truly grateful for your unwavering dedication not only to our students but also to each other. The kindness and compassion that you demonstrate to your colleagues provide needed encouragement and support that uplifts us all.

Today we pause to celebrate your achievements and thank you for your contributions to UHCL. It is a privilege to be part of such a remarkable community working together to make a difference.

With deep appreciation,

Dr. Christopher Maynard Ph.D Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

To the entire staff of the Division of Administration and Finance, I am so very glad we have events such as this annual staff recognition. For most of the work of this Division, it is intentional that your work goes unseen and unnoticed. Our buildings are just clean, well maintained, and do what they were intended to do for our campus. Our offices are open and people are greeted warmly, and problems are solved. As it should be. But I know that does not happen just because we direct it to be so. It happens day in and day out because all of you come together as a team, put your shoulder to the wheel, and work, work diligently, intentionally, and with care and grace for our fellow team members and most importantly, for our students. I am extremely honored to work with you and to share in this much deserved recognition for your service and your dedication to the University and all it stands for.

A very special recognition goes to the recipients of the President’s Distinguished Staff Service and Merit Awards, Outstanding Adjunct and Outstanding Lecturer Awards, and the President’s Distinguished Faculty Awards. Your colleagues and I celebrate your exemplary work. To the Retirees, we appreciate you and thank you for your loyalty, hard work and commitment to the continued success of UH-Clear Lake. We all are truly standing upon your past achievements.

This year has special meaning to me, and I am so incredibly honored to have been a part of this team, you are all truly deserving of today’s recognition.

Mark Denney Vice President of Administration and Finance

FROM OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

DEAR UH-CLEAR LAKE COLLEAGUES,

Congratulations to our honorees and to all being recognized today. We are delighted to gather in celebration of your service to our university and the community in In this, our university’s 50th year!. UHCL is on the rise and your dedication, devotion, and hard work are some of the key reasons why this is so. Our work in support of student success calls us to go the extra mile. It is a hallmark of being a hawk that we do this willingly and without reservation. Thank you for helping to carry on this remarkable tradition.

To the families, friends, and partners who have supported our honorees’ work and endeavors, many thanks to you, too. We all know that our work is even more meaningful when those we rely on are supportive of our professional responsibilities and goals.

Thanks especially to recipients of the President’s Distinguished Staff Service and Merit Awards, Outstanding Adjunct and Outstanding Lecturer Awards, and the President’s Distinguished Faculty Awards. How rewarding it must be to recognize in this meaningful way! Your commitment and drive to excellence is an excellent example for us all. Thank you for leading the way.

To those who are retiring, congratulations! We wish you all the very best for a well-earned and enjoyable next phase of your journey. Know that you will always be welcome on campus and we look forward to keeping in touch and apprised of all you are doing.

Again, congratulations to all. You have enabled our university to proudly state “Founded in 1974…and Still Soaring!

With appreciation,

Joe Staley Vice President of University Advancement

GREETINGS FELLOW HAWKS,

Congratulations to this year’s honorees and the UHCL community! We are fortunate to have each of you as a part of the Hawk family and contributing to the future of our institution. I am excited to celebrate your efforts to enhance the campus experience for our students with exceptional service.

Today’s recipients exhibit impressive talents and demonstrate a commitment to colleagues, students, alumni, and university partners. Each of you make a positive impact to the success of our students. Thank you for your service and dedication to our campus community.

On behalf of the Division of Student Affairs, thank you all that you do, for your loyalty to the institution, and for continued success in your area of expertise. I am grateful for your commitment in building and sustaining outstanding learning environments and for your contributions to the university’s mission. We look forward to future partnerships and collaborations, as we work to take UHCL to the next level of success.

Dr. Tina Powellson

Vice President for Student Affairs

DEAR UH-CLEAR LAKE COLLEAGUES,

As we honor you today, I want you to know that I value the amount of effort you have put into your work and appreciate your dedication to students and the university. You are significantly appreciated as a part of this team. Thank you for your exemplary work and commitment. Those celebrating years of service and retirement; Congratulations!

Dr. Matt Aschenbrener

Vice President, Strategic Enrollment Management FELLOW HAWKS,

Today, we come together to celebrate and honor two significant milestones within UHCL – the achievements of our outstanding employees and the well-deserved retirements of our esteemed colleagues.

To our Employee Honorees: Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment have not only contributed to the success of UHCL but have also inspired those around you. Your exceptional contributions have significantly impacted our team and our goals. Today, we recognize and applaud your achievements, and we express our heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing dedication.

To our Retirees: As you embark on this new chapter of your life, we want to express our deepest appreciation for your years of service and dedication. Your contributions have left an indelible mark on our university, and your wisdom and expertise will be greatly missed. While we bid farewell to your daily presence, your legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come.

Dr. Beth Lewis

Associate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, UHCL at Pearland

CELEBRATING YOU

As the University of Houston-Clear Lake continues to expand and grow, we are proud to recognize 98 service award recipients and 19 retirees for 2023.

PROGRAM EVENTS

Welcome/Recognition of Previous Dr. Walker, President

Winners and Retirees:

Presentation of Service Awards: Dr. Walker, Mark Denney, Joe Staley, Dr. Powellson, Dr. Maynard, Dr. Aschenbrener, Dr. Beth Lewis

Recognition of 2023 Retirees: Dr. Walker

Presentation of President’s Staff Merit Awards: Dr. Walker

Presentation of Hugh P. Avery Award: Dr. Walker

Presentation of Outstanding Lecturer Dr. Maynard and Adjunct Awards:

Presentation of President’s Distinguished Dr. Maynard Faculty Awards:

Reception to immediately follow awards ceremony.

FIVE YEAR AWARDS

Cynthia Anaya

Content Strategist, Marketing & Communications

Mila Bautista

Director, General Accounting/Fin. Rep.

DeAngel Bonilla

Chief Business Administrator, Office of the Provost

Mohsen Daghooghi

Assistant Professor, Engineering, College of Science & Engineering

Mark Denney

VP, Administration & Finance

Araceli Elizalde

Custodian, FMC Custodial Services

Candace Enriquez

Department Assistant, Career Services

Herbert Giles

Sergeant, University Police

Rebekah Gonzalez

International Admissions Advisor, Global Learning & Strategy Office

Steve Ha

Office Assistant, Office of Admissions

Youssef Hamidi

Associate Professor, Engineering, College of Science & Engineering

Melissa Hernandez

Contract Admin. Specialist, Procurement

Elric King

Corporal, University Police

FIVE YEAR AWARDS

Kelsey Leadingham

Manager, Autism Services Program, Human Sciences

Tara Lulla

Transfer Credit Analyst, Office of Admissions

Shelly Matejka

Department Assistant, Clinical, Health & Appl. Sciences

Russell Miller

Executive Director, Public Safety, University Police

Ta'Shaundra Morgan

Sr. Patient Services Specialist, Health Services

Valerie Morgan

Assistant Professor, Clinical, Health & Appl. Sciences

Dillon Nash

Asst. Director, Student Involvement & Leadership

Sylvia Nieto

Custodian, FMC Custodial Services

Diana Nores

Director, Testing Center

Joseph-Alexander Oliva

Automotive Specialist, FMC General Services

Thomas Plew

Corporal, University Police

Rosa Portillo Nunez

Custodian, FMC Custodial Services

Heather Pule

Assistant Professor, Lit., Lib. Sci & Learning Tech.

FIVE YEAR AWARDS

Joshua Quinn

Coordinator, Student Advocacy & Community

Richard Ramirez

Computing Coordinator, PC Information Technology

Raul Regalado

Custodian, FMC Custodial Services

Angelica Romero De Paulin

Custodian, FMC Custodial Services

Enma Soto Alvarez

Custodian, FMC Custodial Services

Yohannes Tesfaye

Associate Director, Academic Computing

Venus Turner

Administrative Assistant, College of Business

Armando Vaquero

Maintenance Tech, FMC Building Maintenance

Curtis Workman

Mech. Eng. & Machine Shop Tech.

TEN YEAR AWARDS

Dominique Beyonce-Hilton

Functional Analyst, Student Administration Systems

Michael Brims

Associate Professor, Communication & Studio Arts

Amy Cabness

Graduate Program Specialist, College of Education

Jennifer Cervantes

Customer Service Rep., Office of Admissions

Sandra Garcia

Administrative Assistant, Business Dean's Office

Maria Garza

Custodian, FMC Custodial Services

Vicky Gu

Associate Professor, Decis. Sci., Econ., Fin., & Mktg.

Jeffrey Hillock

Maintenance Tech, FMC Building Maintenance

Darryn Norton

Maintenance Tech, FMC Building Maintenance

Anna Peebler

Library Associate, PC Library

Regina Pickett

Director, Student Health Services

Mary Ramos

Director, Academic Advising Center

Felicia Robinson

Admissions Evaluator, Office of Admissions

TEN YEAR AWARDS

Loukia Tsami

Research Associate, Autism Services Program

Lisa White

Grant Dev. Administrator, Research & Sponsored Programs

FIFTEEN YEAR AWARDS

Elbby Antony

Executive Director, University Advancement

Tanya Barrett

Manager, Admissions Processing, Office of Admissions

Krista Buckminster

Manager, Budget, Planning & Budget

Lisa Coen

Environmental, Health & Safety Coordinator, EHS

Carmen Conley

Assessment Coordinator, Planning & Assessment

Adriana Cruz

Manager, Transfer Credit, Office of Admissions

Kent Divoll

Professor, Curriculum & Instruction

Jennifer Fritz

Professor, Clinical, Health & Appl. Sciences

FIFTEEN YEAR AWARDS

Veronica Gates

Office Assistant, Office of Admissions

Frank Gremillion

Lead HVAC Op./Mech., FMC Central Plant

Frank Gutierrez

Systems Specialist, Information Technology

Katie Hart

Assistant Director, Creative Services, Marketing & Communications

Ki Young Jeong

Professor, Engineering

Dorothy Kirkman

Associate Professor, Management

Hakduran Koc

Professor, Engineering

Sandy Ng

Functional Lead, Student Administration Systems

Shirley Nilsen

Executive Assistant, Office of VP, Admin. & Finance

Jenny Oakley

Associate Director, Research Programs

Robert Pace

Clinical Associate Professor, Counseling, SPED, & Diversity

Ivelina Pavlova-Stout

Professor, Decis. Sci., Econ., Fin., & Mktg.

FIFTEEN YEAR AWARDS

Kyle Pirtle

Lieutenant, University Police

Guillermo Rodriguez

Sr. Academic Transfer Advisor, Academic Transfer Advising

Laura Velie

Office Supervisor, Counseling & Mental Health Center

Troy Voelker

Associate Dean, College of Business

Christopher Ward

Professor, Psychology

TWENTY YEAR AWARDS

David Benz

Director, Student Relations, College of Education

Marie Best

Accreditation Coordinator, Office of Vice Provost

Kim Edwards

Administrative Assistant, Dean of Science & Engineering

Martha Hood

Associate Director, Eval./Assessment, Library

Jaime Price

Graphic Designer, Marketing & Communications

TWENTY YEAR AWARDS

Mohammad Rashid

Associate Professor, Biological Sciences

Susan Sorensen

Associate Professor, Accounting

TWENTY-FIVE YEAR AWARDS

Celio Chapa

Manager, Grounds, FMC Grounds Maintenance

Caroline Crawford

Professor, Lit., Lib. Sci., & Learning Tech

Chuck Crocker

Director, Career Services

Brent Goucher

Multimedia Specialist, Marketing & Communications

James Helm

Associate Professor, Engineering

Margaret Mims

Client Server DB Analyst, Office of Information Technology

Randy Seevers

Associate Professor, Counseling, SPED, & Diversity

THIRTY YEAR AWARDS

Lisa Gossett

Associate Professor, Management

Christine Paul

Program Coordinator, College of Human Sciences & Humanities

Jewel Story

Master Dispatcher, University Police

Ed Waller

Dean, College of Business

THIRTY-FIVE YEAR AWARDS

Yvette Bendeck

Professor, Decis. Sci., Econ., Fin., Mktg.

Stephen Boardman

General Services Rep, General Support Services

LieJune Shiau

Professor, Mathematics & Statistics

Liwen Shih

Professor, Engineering

Kwok-Bun Yue

Professor, Computing Sciences

CELEBRATING 2023 RETIREES

Denise Cazes 2005 - 2023

Gertrude Daniels 2006 - 2023

Gigi Do 2019 - 2023

Maria Feliciano 1997 - 2023

Mark Gary 2006 - 2023

Pilar Goyarzu 2003 - 2023

Sandra Jenkins 2015 - 2023

Farida Jivan 2017 - 2023

Bindu Kalra 2015 - 2023

Kurt Lotero 2000 - 2023

Judy Michalinos 2005 - 2023

William Ron Mills 1979 - 2023

Tony Ostiguin 2001 - 2023

Gloria Ruiz 2005 - 2023

Debra Shulsky 2010 - 2023

Joyce Taylor Sullivan 2014 - 2023

Samuel Valadez 1995 - 2023

Berenice Webster 2001 - 2023

Chloris Yue 1989 - 2023

HUGH P. AVERY PRIZE

The Hugh P. Avery Prize – President’s Distinguished Staff Service Award was created to recognize and honor those individuals who have served the university in an exemplary manner. This is the highest honor the University of Houston-Clear Lake can bestow upon a staff employee. The first award was presented in March of 1982. In 1991, University of Houston-Clear Lake renamed the President’s Distinguished Staff Service Award to the Hugh P. Avery Prize in honor of the late Hugh P. Avery, originator of the program. He served as an inspiration and pattern of excellence for all staff members.

Nominations for this honor may be submitted by any member of the university community. The Staff Awards Nomination Selection Committee reviews the nominations and selects the top five to continue to the next step. The selected finalists are submitted to the President for approval.

The Hugh P. Avery winner receives a plaque and $1,000. The additional finalists receive Staff Service Merit Award plaques and $500.

Last Year’s Hugh P. Avery – President’s Distinguished Staff Service Award and Merit Award Winners

Hugh P. Avery Winner

• Karen Elliott, Assessment Coordinator, Planning & Assessment

Staff Merit Award Winners

• Tonia Coronado, Administrative Assistant III, College of Education

• Esther Herrera, Sr. Manager, Training & Development, HR

• Panya Milliner, Department Assistant, Student Success & Initiatives

• Anna Peebler, Library Associate, Pearland Campus Library

Pictured from left to right: Esther Herrera, Panya Milliner, Dr. Walker, Tonia Coronado

Second picture: Karen Elliott, Dr. Walker

OUTSTANDING ADJUNCT & OUTSTANDING LECTURER AWARDS

Awards for Outstanding Adjunct and Outstanding Lecturer began in 2009. These awards are based on excellence in teaching and service. Only a faculty member may nominate a colleague for each of these awards. A committee, comprised of faculty designated by the Office of the Provost, reviews each nomination. A monetary award of $500 complements these honors.

The Outstanding Adjunct Award recognizes excellence in teaching. The Outstanding Lecturer Award recognizes exemplary accomplishment in teaching and service by embodying a model of substantive learning and rapport with students and extending services to the Gulf Coast Region and the University.

Last Year’s Winners

Outstanding Adjunct Award

• Dr. Janice Perrin, Early Childhood Education, College of Education

Outstanding Lecturer Award

• Patricia Trubl, Biology, College of Science and Engineering

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Janice Perrin, Dr. Walker, Patricia Trubl

PRESIDENT'S DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARDS

The President’s Distinguished Faculty Awards program was initiated in 1983. It is designed to recognize the outstanding achievements of faculty members in the areas of teaching, research, and service.

Only a faculty member may nominate a colleague for a specific award through a letter detailing reasons for the nomination. Selection is made by a committee designated by the President. The Committee sends letters to nominees who in their judgment merit further consideration, inviting nominees to submit supportive evidence consistent with guidelines developed by the Committee.

Subsequent to receiving information from the nominee, the Committee may invite a faculty member from the nominee’s academic area to comment on the nominee’s discipline-specific contributions, if the Committee members are without experience in the academic area in question. The three Distinguished Faculty Awards are as follows:

UH-Clear Lake Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes exemplary accomplishments in the craft of teaching, wherein the recipient is recognized as a master teacher by his or her peers. A master teacher is a model of substantive learning and rapport with students. A monetary award of $5,000 complements this honor.

UH-Clear Lake Distinguished Research Award recognizes professional accomplishment in a discipline or field through published work, exhibitions, or similar activity, as recognized by peers for high contribution to the intellectual growth of an academic area. A monetary award of $1,500 complements this honor.

UH-Clear Lake Distinguished Service Award recognizes singular accomplishments in professional service beyond that of colleagues either in extending university services to the Houston Metropolitan Area and Gulf Coastal Region, to professional organizations, or combinations of these. A monetary award of $1,500 complements this honor.

PRESIDENT'S DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARDS

Last Year’s Distinguished Faculty Award Winners

Distinguished Research Award

• Dr. Hisham Al-Mubaid, Professor, Computer Science and Computer Information Systems

Distinguished Service Award

• Dr. Christopher Ward, Professor, Psychology

Distinguished Teaching Award

• Dr. Amanda Johnston, Associate Professor, Psychology

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Christopher Ward, Dr. Hisham Al-Mubaid, Dr. Walker, Dr. Amanda Johnston