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Office of Administration

Emily A. Messa, Ph.D., CASP
Senior Associate Vice Chancellor & Senior Associate Vice President Administration

Supported by a dedicated staff, student employees and 300-plus contractors, the Office of Administration provides a foundational infrastructure of services for the campus community and also cultivates ongoing growth and proactive master planning of fundamental UH initiatives in collaboration with campus community partners in support of the UH mission and transformation as an innovative pacesetter for future success.

HIGHLIGHTS

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    Office of Administration Enhances Student Experience with Summer Upgrades

    The Office of Administration is investing $6.75 million in transformative summer 2025 initiatives aimed at enhancing campus life through major upgrades to parking and dining services. These initiatives focus on advancing technology, improving security, and enhancing student experiences. Find out more about this summer's upgrades. 
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    Parking & Transportation Upgrades Will Improve Customer Experience Throughout the Campus

    Big changes are coming to parking operations at the University of Houston, and they’re designed with you in mind. Over the next three months, Parking and Transportation Services will begin a campus-wide rollout of new parking gate equipment and a modernized parking management software system. Read more about the parking upgrades. 
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    Students Attend Finals Mania Event

    Nearly a thousand UH students took a break from their studies to participate in the traditional Finals Mania event at Cougar Woods Dining Commons. Music played by the deejay attracted students, while Shasta and volunteers handed out snacks for the week. Cougar Card Services scanned students’ Cougar Cards for entry, and Student Housing and Residential Life set up a table to assist with preparations for the next semester. See more about Finals Mania. 
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    Moody Towers Commons Shines With 'Graditude' for New Graduates During Special Lunch

    The University of Houston Dining Services closed out the spring semester at the Moody Towers Dining Commons with a celebration dubbed the ‘Graditude Lunch’, to thank graduates for their patronage during their time at the University of Houston. UH Dining Services decorated the dining hall with balloons and brought in a resident deejay, who’s a UH student, to play tunes that filled the commons. Check out more about this unique dining experience for graduates. 

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    Bound for Graduation: Copy and Print Services Crafts Commencement Keepsakes

    As spring graduation approaches, the Copy and Print Services team at the University of Houston is hard at work behind the scenes, ensuring that thousands of commencement programs are printed, bound, and delivered on time for ceremonies across the UH System. The process begins in late March, once student registration and event planning — led by the Office of Protocol and Special Events — are largely complete. Discover more about how Copy and Print assists with commencement season. 

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    Cullen Performance Hall Runs Graduations with High Degree of Professionalism

    Graduation ceremonies at Cullen Performance Hall are meticulously prepared with backstage teams arranging stage setups, lighting, and ADA-compliant ramps, while front-of-house staff ensure security, organize concessions, and assist guests with tickets and seating. Spring’s graduation schedule had the hall slated for holding the events for nine colleges during May 8-10, dividing the total number of commencements almost evenly between the Fertitta Center. Explore more about how Cullen Performance Hall’s runs during commencement season. 

RESOURCES

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    The Importance of Duo Security

    As members of the UH community, you play a critical role in safeguarding university data. One of the key tools in this effort is Duo, our two-factor authentication (2FA) system that adds an extra layer of security to your login process. If you receive a Duo push notification that you did not initiate, deny the request immediately. Taking quick action helps protect both your personal information and sensitive university data from malicious actors. Learn more on how Duo protects you.

  • Pay With Your Digital Cougar Card

    Exciting News from Cougar Card! You can even pay for your meals at Cougar Woods with your digital Cougar Card. It’s easy. Open your digital cougar card in the UH Go app. Use the QR code for meal swipe, Cougar Cash and ShastaBucks transactions!

  • Sign Up for Text Updates From Parking

    You can sign up for text message alerts from Parking and Transportation by Texting COOGPARK to 55744.

Office of Admibistration departmental progress Numbers

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

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    Copy and Print Wins ACUP+ Award

    The University of Houston’s Copy and Print department were recognized by the Association of College and University Printers (ACUP+) with an ACUP+ Platinum Award in the Offset Single Page category for their Report on Philanthropy brochure that details UH’s philanthropy efforts. The awards were announced at ACUP's 2025 Conference held in Costa Mesa, California. 

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    Recognizing Leadership: Crews Honored for Excellence at TPTA Conference

    Parking & Transportation Director Cindy Crews received the Parking Employee Award of Excellence at the 2024 Texas Parking and Transportation Association (TPTA) Annual Conference, held April in Galveston. Crews received the recognition for her outstanding leadership and customer-focused initiatives at UH. Under her guidance, the department has made major strides in operational efficiency and service quality while managing a $25 million parking permit program. 

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    Innovation in Action: Lot Spotters Takes the Spotlight at TPTA Conference

    The department’s Lot Spotters program, launched in March 2024, earned the Parking Program Award of Excellence at the 2024 Texas Parking and Transportation Association (TPTA) Annual Conference, held April in Galveston. Lot Spotters was recognized for its creative, cost-effective approach to customer service and issue resolution. Using QR code-enabled signage, Lot Spotters empowers users to quickly report parking-related issues — such as broken elevators, litter, or maintenance needs — via a short online form. 

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