Eunice Mesa, right, UHV senior training coordinator in Human Resources, poses with David Cockrum, UHV interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, after being named the university’s 2018 Employee of the Year on Monday at the annual Faculty & Staff Recognition Luncheon.

A longtime University of Houston-Victoria employee in Career Services and Human Resources was named the 2018 Employee of the Year Monday during the UHV Faculty & Staff Recognition Luncheon.

Eunice Mesa, senior training and development coordinator in Human Resources, was recognized at the annual luncheon in honor of faculty and staff members celebrating employment anniversaries and the Employee of the Year.

Bob Glenn

“Eunice deserves this award,” UHV President Bob Glenn said. “She is a hard worker whose contributions are sincerely valued. UHV is fortunate to have her as an employee.”

Mesa was hired at UHV in 2004 as a temporary professional in community development and became a benefits-eligible employee as the Career Services assistant. She was promoted in 2012 to Career Services manager before being transferred in 2014 to Human Resources, where she is today, identifying training opportunities and developing training plans, among other duties. In her nomination, Mesa was applauded for her willingness to help others.

Laura Smith

“Eunice is a dedicated and committed employee,” said Laura Smith, UHV human resources director and Mesa’s supervisor. “She never hesitates to step up and assist in any way she can. If someone needs assistance, she always tries to help, and if she cannot, she’ll reach out to see who can.”

UHV employees choose the Employee of the Year by casting votes on an email ballot listing each 2018 UHV Employee of the Month.

“I was emotional and surprised,” Mesa said. “I feel extremely honored to receive this award because there was a room full of people who are so deserving of it, and I am so fortunate that I get to work with so many people who share in the same vision. It’s such a high honor to receive this recognition from my peers.”

In addition to Mesa, others listed on the ballot were:

• Lauren Emerson, communications specialist in Marketing & Communications
• Lawrence Nelson, user services administrator in Information Technology
• Kira Mudd, director of alumni relations and annual giving in University Advancement
• Kendra Matthews, senior administrative assistant in Student Affairs
• Sheryl De La Garza, senior secretary in the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development
• Lashon Williams, director of Financial Aid
• Jennifer Reeder, academic advisor in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Lynne Vasquez, coordinator of stewardship and advancement services in University Advancement
• Julie Buchhorn Wardi, testing coordinator in Student Services
• Kristy Hennessey, academic advisor in the School of Business Administration

Mesa received a $500 check, a UHV T-shirt and a plaque. Her name also will be engraved on an Employee of the Year plaque displayed in UHV University West.

A similar reception for faculty and staff at UHV Katy will take place Wednesday.

Employees who have worked at the university for five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 or 35 years also were recognized on Monday. Each employee’s name, title and department is listed below.

Five Years

• Alexandre Aidov – assistant professor of finance in the School of Business Administration
• Melissa Arnold – administrative assistant in Admissions & Student Recruitment
• Jennifer Boswell – associate professor of counselor education in the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development
• Eric Camarillo – academic support manager in University College
• Genesis Castillo – student recruitment coordinator in Admissions & Student Recruitment
• Shawn Clark – purchasing manager in Finance
• Jingjing Cui – chemistry lecturer in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Joseph Galvan – audio visual specialist in Information Technology
• Jay Lambert – vice president for Student Affairs
• Brandon Lee – director of Residence Life and University Commons
• Carmen Liutec – assistant professor of marketing in the School of Business Administration
• Kaveh Moghaddam – assistant professor of management in the School of Business Administration
• Kira Mudd – director of alumni relations and annual giving in University Advancement
• Jean Mutschler – virtual services librarian in the VC/UHV Library
• Joanna Newman – administrative secretary in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Keashundria Porterfield – instructional technology specialist in the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development
• Saba Razvi – assistant professor of English in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Crystal Rocha – coordinator in Capital Projects & Construction
• Antonio Rodriguez – classroom technologies manager in Information Technology
• Gabriel Striedel – network operations manager in Information Technology
• Sara Thurmond – student success coach in the Student Success Center
• Yung Tso– Personal computer specialist in Information Technology
• Lynne Vasquez – coordinator of stewardship and advancement services in University Advancement
• Shannon Viola – assistant professor of school psychology in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Cheryl Worley – manager of disability services and at-risk programs in Disability Services

10 Years

• Keith Akins – associate professor of criminal justice and director of criminal justice graduate studies in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Candace Bosier – academic advisor in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Carmen Cancel – senior accountant in Finance
• Eliza Fortner – coordinator of grants and contracts in Research & Sponsored Programs
• Junda Hu – assistant professor of mathematics in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Shonna Jud – senior administrative secretary in International Programs
• John Kagochi – associate professor of economic development in the School of Business Administration

15 Years

• Melanie Crider – administrative secretary in Facilities Services
• Cherlyn Hodge – student success coach in University College
• Hsin-Hui Lin – professor of human development and curriculum and instruction in the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development
• Rachel Martinez – associate professor of special education and associate dean of the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development
• Cheryl Robbins – senior secretary in Residence Life
• Ziad Swaidan – professor of marketing in the School of Business Administration

20 Years

• Linda Hayes – professor of marketing in the School of Business Administration
• Kristy Holly – instructional technology coordinator in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Carol Klages – associate professor of education and licensed dyslexia therapist in the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development
• Denise Prescott – payroll and records manager in Human Resources
• Andria Young – professor of special education in the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development

25 Years

• Lori Bryan – head of reference and access services librarian for the VC/UHV Library
• Mary Ann Rivera – senior applications programmer and analyst in Information Technology

30 Years

• Joe Dahlstrom – senior director of libraries at the VC/UHV Library
• Ruby Dean – financial aid specialist in Financial Aid