The University of Houston-Downtown’s (UHD) Staff Council kicked off its fall semester with a “changing of the guard.”

Outgoing officers and ambassadors welcomed a new group of council members during a “Passing the Baton” breakfast on Aug. 30.

“I look forward to working with all of you who will join me in this adventure over the next year,” said Liza Alonzo, incoming Staff Council president and director of UHD Alumni Relations. “I think we have a ‘dream team’ on board, but I also most thank those who served the council over the past year. Their leadership and careful guidance has provided a framework for us to follow. Their service to UHD has been exemplary.”

Incoming officers and ambassadors were in attendance and welcomed aboard by Alonzo; past president Gladis Moya, department business administrator II for Employment Services and Operations; and UHD President, Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz.

Muñoz thanked the council for its commitment to the University and acknowledged that staff members play an integral role in the education of UHD students.

“Staff members also serve as faculty members at this University,” he said. “You serve as examples for these students. Your interactions with these students helps them learn how to communicate, negotiate and conduct themselves professionally. I’ve seen staff members who help keep our campus clean by simply picking up paper or wrappers on the floor. And, I see staff members helping our students in the hallways. These behaviors inspire and teach our students.”

Outgoing council members were acknowledged at this event and presented with gifts (including certificates and UHD shirts) to recognize their service over the past year. Likewise, new officers and ambassadors received UHD notebooks as tokens of appreciation.

Staff Council officers, ambassadors and committee chairs for the 2018–2019 academic year:

• President: Liza Alonzo, director of alumni relations, Advancement & University Relations
   
• President Elect: Percy Jackson, assistant director of student activities, Student Activities
   
• Treasurer: Bobbi Shaw, accounting assistant, General Accounting
   
• Secretary: Debra Shouldice, parking assistant, Parking & Transportation Services
   
• Communications Officer: Elizabeth Wade, manager of technical projects, Academic & Student Affairs
   
• Academic & Student Affairs Ambassador: Rhonda Scherer, associate director, Sports & Fitness
   
• Academic & Student Affairs Ambassador: Meritza Tamez, director of disability services,
  Disability Services
   
• Academic & Student Affairs Ambassador: Jose Vazquez, assistant director of student activities, Student Activities
   
• Advancement & University Relations/Office of the President Ambassador: Mike Emery, director of communications, Advancement & University Relations
   
• Advancement & University Relations/Office of the President Ambassador: Jacob Lipp, director of corporate relations, Advancement & University Relations
   
• Administration & Finance Ambassador: John Lane, director of technology & learning services, Technology & Learning Services
   
• Administration & Finance Ambassador: Trinity Delafance, police sergeant, UHD Police Department
   
• Administration & Finance Ambassador: Vanessa Turner, assistant director of parking & transportation services, Parking & Transportation Services
   
• Enrollment Services & Operations Ambassador: Erica Morales, director of benefits & compensation, Employment Services & Operations
   
• Enrollment Services & Operations Ambassador: Gladis Moya, department business administrator II, Employment Services & Operations