Longtime UHV staff member lends a hand in many ways
Susie Motal has worked for the University of Houston-Victoria since 1999, and during the course of her time here, she said the place has developed like a fireball.
“I have seen the university grow from one building to the six buildings and residence halls we have now,” she said. “The growth has been exciting and really fast paced.”
Motal, UHV’s business services coordinator, serves an important behind-the-scenes role for the university. She is in charge of the university’s contracts, which covers everything from event vendors to contract workers. Any type of service UHV needs is written into a contract that comes through her office.
She also heads the management of the university’s records retention program and supervises mail services.
“Our department keeps the mail going, just like the post office,” she said.
Motal also serves another role: making sure employees are comfortable, literally. Certified in ergonomics, which is the study of workplace efficiency, Motal can readjust a workspace to fit a particular person.
Recently, a staff member was experiencing shoulder and neck pain. Motal made necessary adjustments to the workstation and suggested an ergonomic keyboard and mouse. It did the trick.
“She is my No. 1 fan,” Motal said of the employee. “She’s telling everyone I worked wonders.”
Motal and her husband have been married for 39 years. They are ranchers and spend much of their time off with its upkeep. The couple has three grown children and three grandchildren. Her vacation time revolves around spending quality time with her grandchildren.
“I was born and raised in Victoria and never left,” Motal said. “I grew up barrel racing and calf-roping in the youth rodeos.”
Staff Feature is an online profile highlighting staff members at the University of Houston-Victoria. To nominate a staff member, contact Jeremy Shapiro, UHV communications manager, or call 361-570-4296.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
