Comprised of Division features, accolades and achievements, as well as valuable "In Case You Missed It (ICYMI)" news you can use, each edition of the newsletter highlights key information and resources across the Division's departmental, operational and service unit areas. Subscribe to the A&F listserv.

Dear Colleagues, 

As we close another successful semester at the University of Houston, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the staff and departments who made the end of the spring semester both educational and memorable for our students. The highlights in this newsletter showcase the many ways our Division advances student success for Coogs through a range of programs, services, and experiences.

Among these efforts are the newly launched My Total Cost Planner, a financial resource designed to support students and families, and our renewed partnership with a vendor offering discounted hotel rates for prospective students and visiting families. Student success is also reflected in the meaningful opportunities we provide — within Administration and Finance, students have contributed to campus life through active participation in advisory committees, two of which are highlighted in this month’s newsletter: the Food Service Advisory Committee and Bookstore Advisory Committee.

This edition also features stories that highlight how the Division helps foster a strong sense of community and belonging through campus events. April’s Earth Week, led by the Office of Sustainability in collaboration with UH Dining Services, engaged students in sustainability education and initiatives. In May, we continued a beloved tradition with Finals Mania — an event that supports students during a critical time of the semester.

Campus safety remains at the forefront of our Division’s priorities. This newsletter includes an update on the Campus Lighting and Security Project, featuring a time-lapse video of progress and an interactive map outlining upcoming enhancements. In April, the University of Houston Police Department hosted an in-person safety session at The Quad, while Fire & Life Safety and the Office of Emergency Management engaged the campus community through an information session at MD Anderson Library — reinforcing our commitment to keeping our campus informed and safe.

These highlights represent just a portion of the important work underway. I encourage you to explore the full newsletter to stay informed about key updates, achievements, and upcoming initiatives within Administration and Finance.

As we move into the summer months, I hope you find time to rest, recharge, and reflect on the meaningful impact of your work this year. Thank you for your continued commitment to our students and to the University of Houston community.

University of Houston Launches Financial Tool to Help Students and Families Plan

The University of Houston has launched a new tool to help admitted and enrolled students understand and plan for the cost of attending UH. The tool, My Total Cost Planner, is designed to provide clear and personalized answers based on a student’s academic choices and financial aid packages.

Through My Total Cost Planner, students can model how different choices affect the total cost of earning their chosen degree. As selections are adjusted, the tool updates in real time to display estimated tuition and fees, the impact of financial aid, and projected installment payment options. Students can access the tool through the AccessUH portal. Learn more about this new initiative.

Earth Week 2026: Sustaining a Greener Campus

In April, the Office of Sustainability led a vibrant Earth Week (April 20-24) at the University of Houston that showcased how the University is sustaining a greener campus. The Office of Sustainability, housed within Facilities/Construction Management, worked to ensure the University stewards its operations and resources in an environmentally conscientious way.

Beatrix “Bea” Madersbacher Eide, who oversees the Office of Sustainability, arranged this year’s Earth Week, which takes place every year in late April. Madersbacher Eide organized several events throughout the week in collaboration with several campus partners and vendors. Read more about this year’s Earth Week at UH.

Students Find ‘Ultimate Study Break’ at Cougar Woods

The spring semester’s Finals Mania at Cougar Woods Dining Commons lived up to its rebranding as “The Ultimate Study Break”, offering UH students a chance to de-stress as they prepare for final exams. Event organizers designed activities to support a variety of stress-relief preferences — from comfort foods and pet therapy to yoga, games, raffles, shopping, and music — all aimed at helping students' recharge. Read more about this semester's Finals Mania.

Advisory Committees Give UH Students a Seat at the Table

The University of Houston’s advisory committees serve as key forums for informing decisions that shape the campus experience. Within the Office of Administration, two such committees — the Food Service Advisory Committee and the Bookstore Advisory Committee — have long included student members who provide valuable insight from a student perspective.

Over the years, these students have offered instrumental feedback that has helped enhance services for students, faculty, and staff across campus. Read more about students’ lasting impact on the advisory committees.

Topping Out Ceremony Cements Project Success

Facilities/Construction Management topped off its latest achievement with a topping out ceremony in spring. The ceremony celebrated reaching the top of Centennial Hall, the new residence hall that will provide approximately 1,000 new beds for freshmen students. The three-sided, six-floor Centennial Hall stands across from Cougar Woods Dining Commons. Additionally, a new Dining Commons will also support enrollment growth and increase students living on campus. The University of Houston expects both Centennial Hall and the new Dining Commons to be completed in 2027. Read more about the topping out ceremony.

UH Renews Partnership with Campus Travel Management to Offer Discounted Hotel Rates for Campus Visitors

The University of Houston has renewed its partnership with Campus Travel Management, continuing a program launched in 2019 that provides discounted hotel rates for campus visitors. Through this partnership, UH visitors — including prospective students, parents, visiting faculty, and fans attending athletic events — can access discounted rates at 12 local hotels with no service fee. Discounts typically range from 5 to 15 percent, depending on room availability. Most hotels allow reservations to be made up to one year in advance. Learn more about this renewed partnership.

Aspiring Cooks 'Shake It Up' at Teaching Kitchen Event

Excitement and focused energy filled the room as 11 members of the Cougar community prepared kale shaker salads during a Teaching Kitchen class held in the Health 2 Building. The event, attended by a mix of students, faculty, and staff, was part of UH Dining Services’ weeklong Earth Day celebration.

The Dining Services team was joined by Thompson Hospitality’s Mike Rivera, regional executive chef, and Beth Casey, regional vice president of Joint Ventures, who led the class. Throughout the class, Chef Rivera, Casey, and Susan Griffin, MS, RD, director of Wellness & Sustainability, provided guidance and explained techniques related to each step of the recipe. Learn more about this teachable event.

Cougar Woods Hosts Celebrity Chef Pop-Up Takeover

A celebrity chef brought bold flavors to the Coogs House at Cougar Woods Dining Commons on April 29. Victoria Elizondo, chef and owner of Houston’s Cochinita & Co., took over the La Mesa station during lunchtime, serving pollo adobado (chicken) and cochinita pibil (pork) tostaditas with fresh toppings.

The pop-up drew enthusiastic diners eager to experience her authentic Mexican cuisine. The event also attracted local media attention, with CW39 Houston reporting on-site. Reporter Allison Gutleber interviewed Elizondo and sampled a tostadita during the segment. Read more about Elizondo and how students loved the tostaditas.

Solid Waste Team Participates in Career Days for Kids

Members of the Facilities/Construction Management Solid Waste team were excited to participate in two school Career Day events in mid-May, both within Aldine Independent School District (AISD). The team will visited Lola Mae Carter Academy on May 12, 2026, and Clifford M. Dunn Elementary on May 13. This followed up their participation in late March when they engaged with more than 100 students at Reed Elementary during the school’s Career Day for AISD. Read more about F/CM’s Career Day participation.

UH Dining Services Goes Green, Educates Diners

For Earth Week, UH Dining Services hosted the Go Green! event at Cougar Woods Dining Commons to show how students, faculty, and staff can make a difference by keeping our world clean and taking steps to implement sustainability.

A comment poster greeted diners and invited them to share the small steps they take in helping the environment. The event focused on how adding more green vegetables to one’s diet and not wasting food could contribute to a healthier diet and a healthier Earth. Read more about how UH Dining Services went Green for Earth Week.

GRADitude Lunch Celebrates Graduates with Comfort Food and Community

UH Dining Services hosted its annual GRADitude Lunch at Moody Towers, celebrating graduating students and recognizing their years of engagement with campus dining. The event delivered a high-energy, welcoming atmosphere, featuring a live DJ, tabling from University partners, and a comfort food menu. Favorites such as tacos, hamburger sliders, butter chicken, beef birria, chicken noodle soup, and tot’chos — tater tots topped with chili and cheese — created a nostalgic and inclusive dining experience for attendees. Read more about how UH Dining Services celebrated grads.

Bringing Houston Public Media’s Analysis to Audiences Across Texas

As part of a statewide collaboration, four additional Texas TV markets have added "Party Politics" to their broadcast schedules. The program is now airing on PBS stations in El Paso, Corpus Christi, Amarillo, and Midland/Odessa as part of a unified Sunday morning public affairs lineup.

This expansion reflects strategic work over the past six months with University of Houston professors Brandon Rottinghaus and Jeronimo Cortina to grow the show’s reach and deliver thoughtful political analysis to audiences across Texas. "Party Politics" was Houston Public Media’s first fully multiplatform program — airing weekly on TV8, News 88.7, podcast platforms, and YouTube.

Stay Cougar S.A.F.E.

	Interactive Campus Lighting and Security Project Map A new interactive map from Facilities/Construction Management lets users see UH’s continued investment in campus-wide lighting improvements as part of its ongoing commitment to campus safety. The Campus Lighting and Security Project will enhance lighting and security components across campus to meet the University’s current design guidelines, including LED lighting conversion, improved lumens per square foot for safety, installation of additional cameras, emergency call boxes, and security signage. To see the entire network of security enhancements, please see the interactive map.
	UHPD Builds Trust and Safety Through Hands-On Session at The Quad “Name, major, and where are you from?” That’s the opening question that University of Houston Police Department Crime Prevention Officer Amir Watkins asks students at every safety event. Watkins posed the same question during a recent residence life and campus safety session at The Quad, explaining that the simple introduction helps students feel more comfortable engaging with UHPD officers and asking questions. Read more about what students learned from UHPD.
	UHPD to Present at IACLEA Conference Members of the University of Houston Police Department will make the trek to Orlando, Florida, this summer to attend the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) Annual Conference & Exposition. The conference gives attendees an opportunity to connect and learn with peers shaping campus safety’s future. Additionally, Ceaser Moore Jr., chief of police will co-lead a presentation at the conference with Jeff Palmer, deputy general counsel of the University of Houston System. The presentation, titled "Strategic Alliances for Safet Campuses: Police & Council Together”, will explore the development and implementation of a viable collaboration between UHPD and the University’s Office of General Counsel.
	UHPD Partners with METRO, UH-Downtown PD to Enhance Safety The University of Houston Police Department partnered with METRO, and the University of Houston-Downtown Police Department to enhance safety on METRO for student riders. UHPD Chief Ceaser Moore Jr., UHD Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez, and METRO Police Chief Ban Tien, released a video detailing how the agencies work together. Watch the video to learn more.
	UHPD Gets a Special Visit The University of Houston Police Department got a sweet surprise when Judd, a child who attends the UH Child Care Center, brought donuts to the UHPD police station. Judd told UHPD officers he saw Spiderman give cops donuts in a movie and wanted to do the same. Two UHPD officers came out and greeted Judd and gleefully accepted the donuts. UHPD thanks Judd for his thoughtful act of kindness.
	Fire & Life Safety, Office of Emergency Management Bring Safety Resources to MD Anderson Library Two departments within Environmental Health and Emergency Preparedness (EHEP) — Fire & Life Safety and the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) — hosted a tabling event at MD Anderson Library to answer students’ questions and distribute safety resources and information. The event marked the first time this year that the departments hosted a joint tabling effort at the library, and students took notice, stopping by in large numbers to pick up items such as fire hydrant stress balls, pens, mini flashlights, red sunglasses, and informational brochures highlighting EHEP services. Learn more about what students learned from Fire & Life Safety and OEM.

Cougar Cudos

To nominate a fellow staff member, fill out the Cougar Cudos Nomination Form.

Cougar Card Team Attends NACCU Conference

Cougar Card Services’ director, Cassie Bruner, Ph.D., and assistant director, Daisy Del Fierro, attended the National Association of Campus Card Users 2026 Annual Conference in Covington, Kentucky. The event brings together campus identification and transaction systems professionals in higher education to network, attend educational sessions, explore the latest industry trends in technology and techniques, and learn about new options that could impact campus community services.

Bruner and Del Fierro took special interest in the innovations in the use of mobile ID cards, strategies for meeting security needs related to university cards, updates on event check-in devices, and discussions on how artificial intelligence may help alleviate certain workflow tasks.

Bruner Receives NACCU Campus Card Champion Award

Cassie Bruner, Ph.D., director, Cougar Card Services, received the NACCU Campus Card Champion Award during the National Association of Campus Card Users 2026 Annual Conference in Covington, Kentucky. Bruner was recognized for her positive impact on the effectiveness of the Cougar Card Office and for advancing the card system’s development of the Event Attendance Tracking Program. The program strengthened interdepartmental collaboration and embedded the system into academic and co-curricular initiatives campuswide.

“This award is a meaningful acknowledgment of the power of collaboration,” said Bruner. “I’m grateful for the dedication of my Cougar Card Office team, our partners across campus, and the NACCU community of colleagues whose shared knowledge and collaboration continuously inspire innovation and growth.”

Dakota Rogers Earns New Professional Scholarship at the NACAS South CX

Auxiliary Services Program Manager Dakota Rogers received the New Professional Scholarship at the NACAS South CX Conference held in Charlotte, North Caroline. The scholarship provides Rogers with a complimentary registration to the 2027 NACAS South CX Conference to be held in Clearwater, Florida. Rogers’ nomination letter praised him for successfully managing customer service for the University’s campus store and equitable access programs, and communications for all Auxiliary Services programs that include dining, vending, and supports outreach efforts to promote the departments across campus.

Parking & Transportation Services Earns Recognition

Parking & Transportation Services, along with their dealer partner, PSX Houston, received the Texas Parking & Transportation Association 2026 Parking Technology & Equipment Award. The award recognizes outstanding innovation in the Texas parking industry.

Parking & Transportation receives the award for a complete overhaul of gate equipment on campus including all of the entry and exit machines in all of the gated lots and garages. This overhaul also included the license plate readers (LPR), which vastly enhanced the permitholder experience by being able to get in and out of the lots much more effectively.

A&F Provides Student Employees with Career Experience

National Student Employment Week, observed every second week of April, is dedicated to recognizing the invaluable contributions and commitment of student employees. For the Division of Administration and Finance, providing students with work experience is a year-round investment.

In 2026, A&F has 127 student employees — 133 hourly student employees, one monthly student employee, and three graduate assistants — who are gaining real-world experience in various job capacities across the departments in the division. Get to know some of A&F’s student employees and read about what propelled them to join the University workforce.

Cullen Performance Hall Hosts Graduation Ceremonies

Cullen Performance Hall was prepared with all the pomp and circumstance to host eight of the 18 spring commencement ceremonies at the University of Houston, including three events held across two of its three days of celebration.

The CPH team set the stage; managed lighting, sound, and video; distributed commencement books in the graduates’ seating sections; ushered guests; and checked digital tickets. Team members were also on hand to provide guidance on ADA devices, digital commencement books for guests, special seating, and navigating throughout the hall.

Copy and Print Services Helps Celebrate Graduates

Copy and Print Services worked diligently behind the scenes with the Office of Protocol and Special Events and 15 colleges to support the University of Houston’s spring 2026 commencement. The team designed, formatted, and printed 20,000 commencement books and delivered them to 18 programs held at the Fertitta Center and Cullen Performance Hall.

Copy and Print Services also printed and delivered event scripts, produced directional signage for parking and ceremony access, created credential tags for personnel, and prepared graphics featuring graduating students’ names for commemorative T-shirts offered by the UH Campus Store.

Supporting Campus Events: Resource Fair Connects UH Community to Key Services

University of Houston faculty, staff, and students recently had the opportunity to explore a wide range of event-based resources and services available across campus during the Campus Resource Fair. In addition to sharing information, departments demonstrated how their services contribute to the success, safety, and logistics of campus events. Attendees gained a clearer understanding of how to access these resources when planning programs, meetings, or large-scale University functions. Read more about the Resource Fair.

Fake CAPTCHA Scams

The University Information Technology reminds faculty and staff to beware of fake CAPTCHA scams. In recent months, cybercriminals have been using fake CAPTCHA tests to trick users into running malicious commands on their devices. Once executed, this malware can steal credentials, browser cookies, financial information, and other sensitive data. Learn more about what to look for in CAPTCHA scams.

Human Resources and Facilities/Construction Management Partnered to Launch ‘Hiring Excellence’

The Talent Acquisition team recently partnered with Facilities/Construction Management to launch “Hiring Excellence,” a specialized training designed for selected hiring managers. Led by Senior Recruiters, the training focuses on hiring best practices, strategies for creating a positive candidate experience, and a live demonstration of the applicant tracking system. Offered in two sessions throughout the month, Hiring Excellence reflects the strong collaboration between Talent Acquisition and Facilities/Construction Management to support effective and efficient hiring practices across the university.

Microsoft Authenticator Has Replaced DUO 

As part of the University’s ongoing efforts to protect accounts and personal information, the University has transitioned our multifactor authentication (MFA) service from Duo to Microsoft Authenticator. The move to Microsoft Authenticator provides several benefits for the University community such as stronger security, more consistent sign-in experience, and simple account management and support.

HR Executive Seminar Set for June

Human Resources’ Executive Seminar series returns in June with a session led by Associate Vice Chancellor and Associate Vice President for Human Resources Gaston Reinoso and Dale Rude, associate professor at Bauer College of Business.

The session, titled "Leadership that Builds Lasting Financial Well-Being", is the fifth in the series and will discuss the importance of long-term planning for financial stability. Executive directors will be given valuable information to share with their teams on the importance and methods of building lasting financial comfort. To sign up for the seminar and receive more information, email ulearn@central.uh.edu.

On-Campus Professional Development Opportunities

CATALYS is back this summer with opportunities for all levels to enhance their communication skills, navigate change, and tackle difficult conversations. CATALYS classes are professional development workshops available to all benefits-eligible staff members with their supervisor’s approval. Learn more about this, including course dates and descriptions.