Business Horizons


A monthly publication of Business Affairs

The University of Texas at
San Antonio

December 15, 2005

In All We Do,
We Do With

EXCELLENCE

Every Person,
Every Day,
Every Job

Sonia Saenz

Business Affairs is proud to recognize Ms. Sonia Saenz, Housekeeping Supervisor at the Downtown campus, as the first recipient of the Celebrating Excellence Quarterly Award.

Ms. Saenz distinguished herself by transforming the downtown campus housekeeping department. Since her DTC assignment this past March, Sonia has implemented changes in processes and programs that were beneficial to both staff and customers. She exhibited great initiative, creativity, and promoted positive change by developing a plan that divided housekeeping areas into color coded zones.  One set of zones enabled staff members to better track their assignments and areas to be covered, while the second set clearly articulated areas to be covered in the event that someone was absent.

Sonia demonstrated initiative and her collaborative communication skills by soliciting others, outside her department, for suggestions and made improvements accordingly.  She initiated a training program for DTC housekeeping staff and assisted them in identifying their existing abilities and areas of potential growth. Sonia has virtually eliminated customer complaints by personally communicating with customers and following up, thereby assuring problem resolution. The downtown housekeeping level of service has significantly increased as a result of Sonia’s dedication to excellence. According to her supervisor, Complaints have turned to compliments.  Ms. Saenz has demonstrated that she and her staff are committed to serving faculty, staff and students, and that nothing short of excellence is expected or accepted.

Left to Right:  Dave Riker, George Morales,
Josephine Izbinski, Sonia Saenz and Kerry Kennedy

Sonia receives her award certificate from
Kerry Kennedy

Sonia receives congratulations from employees at the downtown campus

Sonia will be able to select from one of the following:

4 Season Passes to Sea World plus parking.                                    4 Season Passes to Fiesta Texas plus parking.
 2 Season Passes to UTSA Men's and Women's Basketball.               2 Nights at a Bed & Breakfast in Fredericksburg.
Selection from Awards Network Catalog of almost 60 products.


For more information on the VPBA Celebrating Excellence Program visit:
http://www.utsa.edu/hr/Celebrating.Excellence/Index.htm

In all We Do, We Do With Excellence - Every Person, Every Day, Every Job