Sandra Wood, center, a recently retired administrative assistant for the UHV School of Arts & Sciences, was named the university’s 2013 Employee of the Year at a Feb. 4 Faculty & Staff Recognition Luncheon.

Recently retired Sandra Wood ended her career on a high note Tuesday when she was named the University of Houston-Victoria 2013 Employee of the Year at the university’s Faculty & Staff Recognition Luncheon.

Wood was an administrative assistant for the UHV School of Arts & Sciences for more than 20 years before retiring on Friday. During her time at the university, she worked with five different School of Arts & Sciences deans and countless faculty members.

“This is a marvelous way to end my career at UHV,” she said. “Everyone at the university has been so wonderful to work with and very supportive. I’m honored the UHV staff chose me as the Employee of the Year.”

She plans to spend her retirement traveling, gardening and taking care of her mother.

Jeffrey Di Leo, dean of the UHV School of Arts & Sciences, said that Wood always had a smile on her face.

“Sandra was very knowledgeable about her job and was always available for students, faculty and staff members,” he said. “A large part of the success and growth of the school is directly attributed to her efforts. We will miss her.”

UHV staff members cast votes on an email ballot listing each 2013 UHV Employee of the Month. In addition to Wood, others listed on the ballot were:

• Bev Hoerig, instructional designer in the Provost Office
• Matt Alexander, academic user services manager in Academic & Student Technology Services
• Tammy Whatley, student recruitment and marketing manager for the School of Nursing
• Candace Boyd, student advising coordinator in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Ana Laura Pineda, certification analyst in the School of Education & Human Development
• Justin Kutzer, grounds supervisor in Facilities Services
• Kendra Matthews, administrative assistant in Student Affairs
• Eunice Mesa, Career Services manager in Career Services
• Juan Diego Martinez, student life coordinator in Student Life & Services
• Karen Sanders, senior budget analyst in the Budget Office
• Shawn Brett, senior applications programmer and developer in Student Affairs

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

A second Faculty & Staff Luncheon will take place at UH Sugar Land on Feb. 18 for those UHV employees who work at that teaching center, the UH System at Cinco Ranch, the Houston Community College Katy campus or the Lone Star College University Center at Montgomery in The Woodlands.

UHV also recognized employees who have worked for five, 10, 15, 20 or 25 years at the university. Each employee’s name, title and department are listed below.

Five Years

• Keith Akins, assistant professor in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Omar Al Nasser, assistant professor in the School of Business Administration
• Eugenia Blomstrom, assistant clinical professor in the School of Nursing
• Candace Boyd, student advising coordinator in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Leticia Briones, office assistant in Academic and Student Technology Services
• Carmen Cancel, accountant in Finance
• Eliza Fortner, grants and contracts coordinator in Research & Sponsored Programs
• Trina Hall, assistant professor in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Macarena Hernández, lecturer in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Junda Hu, lecturer in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Shonna Jud, secretary in the Office of Admissions
• John Kagochi, assistant professor in the School of Business Administration
• Leslee Lee, travel specialist in Finance
• Elsa Leggett, associate professor in the School of Education & Human Development
• Uppinder Mehan, associate provost in the Provost Office
• Katie Moody, assistant editor in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Uchenna Nwabueze, assistant professor in the School of Business Administration
• Adam Sierra, custodian in Facilities Services
• Kathryn Tart, dean and professor in the School of Nursing
• Denee Thomas, senior director of enrollment management and retention in the LEAD & Student Recruitment office
• Angela Willis, lecturer and Nursing Simulation Lab coordinator in the School of Nursing

10 Years

• Melanie Crider, senior secretary in Facilities Services
• Cherlyn Hodge, student advising coordinator in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Sandy Hybner, senior coordinator of recruitment and marketing in the School of Education & Human Development
• Hsin-Hui Lin, associate professor in the School of Education & Human Development
• Rachel Martinez, assistant professor in the School of Education & Human Development
• Ziad Swaidan, professor in the School of Business Administration

15 Years

• Linda Hayes, professor in the School of Business Administration
• Carol Klages, associate professor in the School of Education & Human Development
• Denise Prescott, payroll manager in Human Resources
• Marci Wallace, Web services manager in Academic & Student Technology Services
• Andria Young, associate professor in the School of Education & Human Development

20 Years

• Debbie Jozwiak, general accounting manager in Finance
• Mary Ann Rivera, applications programmer and analyst in Academic & Student Technology Services
• Lori Williamson, access services librarian at the Victoria College/UHV Library
• Sandra Wood, administrative assistant for the School of Arts & Sciences

25 Years

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