Three students in the University of Houston-Victoria School of Business Administration have moved to the head of the class.

Professors from each of the four UHV schools select at least one outstanding graduate each semester from their bachelor’s and master’s programs to be honored during commencement. This semester they selected master’s degree candidate Lisa Barr and bachelor’s degree candidates Maureen Tinc and Sarah Daggs. All three will be honored at UHV’s graduation ceremony at 9 a.m. May 15 at the main campus, 3007 N. Ben Wilson St.

Barr earned her master of science in economic development and entrepreneurship while working as a senior business development specialist at the UHV Small Business Development Center.

Lisa Barr

During that time, she also attained certification as a Business Advisor IV, the highest certification available, and maintained a 4.0 grade-point average.

“I’m pretty self-motivated and always want to improve myself,” Barr said. After graduation, she plans to continue to work with area businesses and entrepreneurs to grow the regional economy.

Maureen Tinc of Katy maintained a 4.0 GPA in her Bachelor of Business Administration class work while working full time as a legal coordinator at a Houston midstream natural gas company and raising her kids.  She even found time to marry her high school sweetheart, Steven, who is a practicing veterinarian in Houston and with whom she reconnected after a 33-year gap in their relationship.

Maureen Tinc

She originally started working on her degree in 1986 and just kept at it, first earning a two-year business degree with highest honors at Houston Community College in 2004.

“It’s been a long, circuitous route, but I always wanted to do it,” Tinc said. “Don’t ever think that you can’t do it, regardless of what’s going on in your life. Keep your eye on the prize.”

At one point, she was taking classes at three colleges, including UHV, in order to complete required lower-division work.

She now plans to become a certified paralegal in Texas and possibly go on to earn her MBA or law degree.

Daggs, a Port Lavaca native, is planning on continuing her higher education at UHV by working toward her Global MBA.

Sarah Daggs

She maintained a 4.0 GPA while working full time on her degree.

“Work hard. Dedicate yourself to making good grades because it not only shows how smart you are but how dedicated you are to work hard,” she said as advice to other students.

All three graduates received praise from the school’s leader.

“These three graduates are fine examples of the future business leaders we pride ourselves on producing in the School of Business Administration,” Dean Farhang Niroomand said. “I look forward to hearing about the great accomplishments of these students. I know they will make us all very proud.”