Points of Pride
Business Affairs continually seeks innovation and improvement. We are proud to celebrate the achievements and awards of both individuals and teams within our division.
Employee Accomplishments
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- Public Safety Employees of the Month
- August 2024: Emily Kern and Lauren Duff
- September 2024: Jamie Ramirez
- October 2024: Lizette Martinez, Julia Spanos and Dubelsa Villarreal
- Officer Lauren Duff has been selected to join the Firearms Cadre.
- Officer Patrick Stiles successfully stepped into his new role supporting investigations and the South Texas Fusion Center.
- Thank you, Ryne Medina, Ashly Harris, Kristina Taylor, BIT co-chair Anne Jimenez and the BIT team for a successful Annual San Antonio BIT Coalition event in July 2024.
- Mona Boubel, Senior Procurement Specialist, was selected into the 2025 UT System Supply Chain Alliance Emerging Leaders Cohort. The program selects 16 sourcing professionals from across UT System to strengthen leadership skills for current and future roles.
- On October 31, the Business Affairs Leadership team presented at the 2024 SACUBO Fall Workshop, sharing insights on fostering collaborative teams by cultivating meaningful connections.
- The South NACAS Region, which includes 12 states, welcomed Lee Myers as the new Regional Director representing Texas on the Board of Directors.
- Business Affairs hosted the Trails and Urban Development Conference at San Pedro 1 on October 1, 2024, welcoming over 150 attendees.
- Stephanie Edgett and Victor Salazar co-presented "Building a Bridge" at the ACUI Region II Conference, showcasing their collaboration in managing shared building spaces.
- Mary Hernandez was honored at the San Antonio Business Journal’s 2024 Women’s Leadership Awards. This recognition highlights women whose visionary leadership is shaping the future of San Antonio’s business and educational spheres.
- Congratulations to Angel Espinoza, Diane Gomez, Elizabeth Raymond, John Swisher, Sharon Martinez and Victoria Downing for being elected as UTSA Staff Senators. Andrea McClure, James Rodriguez and Jeff Miller are also continuing their two-year Staff Senate terms representing Business Affairs.
- Thank you to the Supply Chain Distribution & Surplus team for their outstanding work supporting the Institute of Texan Cultures museum’s move to its new home in the Frost Tower. Their efforts demonstrated fiscal stewardship of university resources and finished the project ahead of schedule.
- Promotions:
- Elyse Brown - Associate Director of Communications
- Charles Reyes - Sergeant
- Kevin Arnold - Communications Manager
- Phyllis Rosenfield - Project Coordinator
- Tiffany Marsh - Corporal
- Business Affairs celebrates our Student Employees:
- Russel Ogbor from RPM was crowned this year’s Spirit of the Roadrunner and Homecoming King.
- Appreciation goes to Katherine Erowele, Julia Spanos, Brianna Reed, and Hipolito Martinez for their excellent presentations at the Business Affairs Intern Showcase in November 2024.
- The Business Affairs Communications Academy students Nancy Garcia, Larry Holmes, Jazmin Marez, Daniela Nanez, Miranda Vasquez presented their portfolios at the first Comms Academy Showcase on December 6, 2024. Thanks to Graduate Assistant Madeline Hernandez for coaching these students on their presentations.
- Fall 2024 Student Employee Graduates:
- Julia Spanos, Brianna Reed, Raina Dougherty, Martika Johnson
Department Awards & Certifications
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- Officer Lauren Duff received the UT System Life Saving Award on September 10, 2024.
- Cpl. Charles Speck completed the inaugural UT System Police First Line Supervisor course in Austin during summer 2024.
- Officer Jacob Alvarez received the Department of Public Safety Award for most improved physical fitness.
- Megan Kinkade received the Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.
- Ruben Ortiz completed his Coursera certification in Introduction to iOS Mobile Application Development, building on the skills he brings to the Strategic Communications team.
- Chiefs' Commendations were presented to the BIT Team, Ryne Medina, Ashly Harris, Kristina Taylor, and Lt. Jovany Vega for their outstanding contributions at the Awards & Promotions Ceremony on December 10, 2024.
Enhancing Our Campuses
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- Erica Fuentez and Norma Hogan exemplified great leadership during many Public Safety conduct meetings.
- Kudos to PSO Supervisor Juan Martinez for delivering a safety presentation to a large group of UTSA campus housekeepers, emphasizing the importance of being excellent partners to Public Safety.
- The Business Affairs Strategic Communications team and the VPBA Office team partnered to launch the Business Affairs Communications Academy, providing students with professional training in a wide variety of communications, web and design topics. The inaugural student cohort includes Daniela Nanez, Jazmin Marez, Larry Holmes, Miranda Vasquez, and Nancy Garcia. Special appreciation goes to Madeline Hernandez, the VPBA Office graduate assistant who provided significant support to the daily operations of the academy.
- The Office of the Executive Vice President for Business Affairs launched the Business Affairs 101 onboarding pilot program that guided 12 student employees.
- UTSA and Campus Services were celebrated for their efforts in achieving high national rankings for campus food quality, with UTSA Dining proudly ranked among the top 50 in the nation.
Service to the UTSA Community
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- Officer Elliott Bios received recognition for his excellent service from the San Antonio Humane Society.
- PCO Gilberto Morales, PSO Hannah Plemons, and the Dispatch team for helping a UTSA employee retrieve their keys from a locked car.
- Officer Chris Villarreal received a positive performance from Sgt. Gutierrez for his exemplary conduct and professionalism when responding to a high-risk event.
- Campus Services successfully ran the Swipe Out Hunger campaign, collecting and donating 1,044 swipes to support student wellness for those experiencing food insecurity.
Business Affairs congratulates our recent retirees!
- Captain Doug Sonego
- The Department of Public Safety
- Years of service: 1989-2024
- Beth Wichman
- Administration and Operations
- Years of Service: 1998-2024
Photo Gallery
Highlights from Fall 2024
Business Affairs participated in the UTSA Adopt-A-Family program
Department of Public Safety – Toys for Tots
Business Affairs created over 300 holiday cards for the San Antonio State Hospital
The Department of Public Safety’s newest police officers, Jacob Alvarez and Timothy Donnelly
Officer Lauren Duff receiving the UT System Life Saving Award on September 10
Public Safety celebrating its IT Specialists on National IT Professionals Day
Kudos to Katlyn Briggs for her outstanding work in evidence processing for UTSAPD
Public Safety celebrating National Security Officer Appreciation Week
Trails and Urban Development Conference October 1, 2024
Business Affairs Intern Showcase November 20, 2024
The Business Affairs leadership team at the SACUBO 2024 Fall Workshop
Business Affairs Communications Academy Students
RPM SECC Breakfast September 12, 2024
Financial Affairs Halloween Potluck
Human Resource Professional Day 2024
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Highlights from Spring 2024
The Roadrunner Café's Micro-farm, managed by Campus Services, is flourishing
Lean Six Sigma course completion April 5, 2024
UTSA Strategic Services and Centro San Antonio have launched "The Little Runner", a free, on-demand e-shuttle service
Sergeant Jacob Criswell, Officer Manuel Gallegos, and Officer Chris Villarreal at the Bexar County Firearms Training Center
The UTSA Public Safety team celebrated Captain Douglas Sonego
Seraphim Apetuje's group placed 2nd in the C.A.S.E. competition
Financial Affairs Staff at the University Excellence Awards Nominee Luncheon
Staff Senate Hearts of Appreciation fundraiser
Business Affairs: Intern and Graduate Assistant Showcase
Business Affairs assisted at the Whataburger Resource Room on UTSA Day of Service
Public Safety April 2024 employee of the month, Gilberto Morales
Highlights from Fall 2023
Mary Hernandez was accepted into HACU’s La Academia de Liderazgo / Leadership Academy
UTSAPD received funds from the Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians
Assistant Chief Angel Lemmonds swearing in ceremony
Park West Field House grand opening
San Pedro II ground breaking ceremony
Blanco Hall ground breaking ceremony
Mark Hogensen mural installation on San Pedro I
O. Henry House
National Night Out
Recognizing Administration and Operations for the most donations in the Business Affairs Fall Food Drive
Staff Senate's Touchdowns for Tuition initiative
Business Affairs Fall Food Drive
UTSA Public Safety supporting meet the teacher night at May Elementary
UTSA Public Safety supporting meet the teacher night at May Elementary
Highlights From Spring 2023
BA Impact Award winner Bruce Williams with Senior Associate Vice President Sheri Hardison
Campus Planning
Campus Planning Valued Partner Award
Campus Services graduate Jacquelyn Gomez
Campus Services graduate Bianca Garcia
Campus Services graduate Savannah Quinonez
DTS team donating at Roadrunner Pantry
DTS team Wellness Walk
DTS team donating to Roadrunner Pantry
Facilities painting the SEB
Facilities team painting the SEB
Facilities Valued Partner Award
Facilities commissioned new recruitment trailer
RACE Project Award from ACEC
RACE Project Award ACEC
UEA Leadership Award winner Chera Finkbiner with Senior Associate Vice President Mary Hernandez and Senior Vice President Veronica Salazar
Tito Bradshaw Award - Sustainability
Sustainability Earth Day Event
Sustainability Bike Check Event
Sustainability Bike Check Event
RECaP Valued Partner Award
COS Award for RECaP
Submit Your Points of Pride
If you would like your good news announced and have photos or stories you would like considered for Points of Pride or our social media channels, please email VPBAOffice@utsa.edu
