Payroll manager named UHV’s 2017 Employee of the Year (with video)
Payroll Manager Denise Prescott was named the University of Houston-Victoria’s 2017 Employee of the Year on Wednesday at the university’s Faculty & Staff Recognition Reception.
The reception is held annually to recognize faculty and staff members celebrating employment anniversaries and to name the Employee of the Year.
“This is a well-deserved honor,” UHV President Vic Morgan said. “Denise does an outstanding job with the complex duties of seeing that UHV employees receive their paychecks on a timely and regular basis. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and experienced employee in this role.”
Prescott was hired at UHV in 1998. As payroll manager, she is responsible for ensuring the university’s employee payroll is accurate and timely. In her nomination, Prescott was applauded for her willingness to help UHV employees over the phone or at her office.
“UHV is very fortunate to have such a dedicated employee who is always willing to go above and beyond what needs to be done as payroll manager,” said Laura Smith, UHV human resources director and Prescott’s supervisor. “For example, Denise came to campus the day after Hurricane Harvey to retrieve payroll records so she could process payroll for UHV employees – and at the time the campus was closed and without electricity. She is a star employee who is always willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.”
UHV employees choose the Employee of the Year by casting votes on an email ballot listing each 2017 UHV Employee of the Month.
“I’m just awed to receive this honor,” Prescott said. “It’s really just a complete surprise. It’s an amazing feeling, and I appreciate all the support I’ve received from everyone at UHV.”
Watch a short video from Prescott's award presentation.
In addition to Prescott, others listed on the ballot were:
- Ramona King, former employee
- Darren Keesee, instructional tech specialist
- Donna Lutz, administrative assistant
- Mary Field, administrative assistant
- Linda Bagwell, senior payroll assistant
- Kathy Walton, executive administrative assistant
- Ida Jimenez, senior administrative secretary
- Amanda Simper, senior administrative assistant
- Rhiannon Smith, director of services
- Adrian Rigby, head soccer coach
- Eliza Fortner, coordinator of grants and contracts
Prescott 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 reception for faculty and staff based at UHV Katy will take place on Feb. 20.
Employees who have worked at the university for five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 or 35 years also were recognized on Wednesday. Each employee’s name, title and department is listed below.
Five Years
- Sharon Bailey – director of Institutional Research & Effectiveness
- Devon Dueser – senior budget analyst in the Budget Office
- Nazif Durmaz – assistant professor in the School of Business Administration
- LouAnn Frazier – library associate in the VC/UHV Library
- Les Garcia Jr. – shuttle services supervisor in Student Affairs
- Craig Goodman – assistant professor in the School of Arts & Sciences
- Rebecca Heilman – student recruitment manager
- Elise Hendricker – assistant professor in the School of Arts & Sciences
- Carol Keeney – business services assistant
- Fred Litton – dean of the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development
- Veronica Lopez – student success coach
- Beverly Lowry – writer in residence in the School of Arts & Sciences
- Mark Martinez – senior business advisor in the UHV Small Business Development Center
- Felicity Medrano – web designer in Marketing & Communications
- Joann Olson – associate professor in the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development
- Philip Posey – network administrator in Technology Services
- Mary Ramos – shuttle bus driver in Student Affairs
- George Rodriguez – graphic designer in Marketing & Communications
- Jeremy Sanchez – PeopleSoft functional analyst in Enrollment Management
- Whitney Schroeder – training coordinator in the UHV Small Business Development Center
- Angela Simmons – student recruitment coordinator
- Cory Skinner – network specialist in Technology Services
- Diane Tippit – senior administrative secretary in Athletics
- Elena Torres – counselor and confidential advisor in the Counseling, Health & Wellness Office
- Kaleena Trevino – purchasing assistant in the Finance Office
- Keri Waligura – certification analyst in the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development
- Ziyun Yang – assistant professor in the School of Business Administration
10 Years
- Amy Barnhill – associate professor in the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development
- Magen Besancon – student services manager in the School of Arts & Sciences
- Christopher Burford – systems analyst in Technology Services
- John Burke – director of Facilities Services
- Maria Salome Chavarria Salgado – lecturer in the School of Arts & Sciences
- Paula Cobler – director of Marketing & Communications
- Veronica Crabb – capital projects coordinator in the Capital Projects & Construction Office
- Tracey Fox – director of services in the School of Arts & Sciences
- Angela Green – academic advisor in UHV Katy Operations
- Billy Lagal – director of Admissions & Student Recruitment
- Jennifer Ortiz Garza – lecturer in the School of Arts & Sciences
- Anette Phillips – academic advisor in UHV Katy Operations
- Ana Pineda – international student specialist in the International Programs Office
- Connie Rodriguez – senior office assistant in the Human Resources Office
- Kayla Sappington – systems analyst in Technology Services
- Beverly Tomek – associate provost for University College
15 Years
- Kathy Caylor – senior accounting analyst in the Finance Office
- Chien-Ping Chen – associate professor in the School of Business Administration
- Tracy Damborsky – senior administrative secretary for Facilities Services
- Jeffrey Di Leo – dean of the School of Arts & Sciences
- Xavier Garza-Gomez – professor in the School of Business Administration
- Sandy Hybner – manager of student recruitment and marketing in the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development
- June Nelson – financial report manager in the Finance Office
- Ronald Salazar – associate provost for Katy operations
- David Summers – associate professor in the School of Business Administration
- Jifu Wang – associate dean of the School of Business Administration
20 Years
- Cheryl Faulk – senior secretary in Administration & Finance
- Lois Lemke – bursar in Business Services
- Karen Sanders – budget director in the Budget Office
- Marci Wallace – web services manager in Marketing & Communications
25 Years
- Carolyn Mallory – financial aid compliance manager in Financial Aid
- Melody Olsen – accounts payable specialist in the Finance Office
- Laura Smith – director of human resources, equal opportunity and Title IX deputy
30 Years
- Rick Harrington – professor in the School of Arts & Sciences
- Luh-Yu Ren – associate professor in the School of Business Administration
35 Years
- Sherrie Kroll – senior systems administrator in Technology Services
- Karen Locher – associate director in the Victoria College/UHV Library
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.
