UHD closed out 2022 with two festive events sponsored by UHD Staff Council: a competition among departments for best office decorations and a collaboration with UHD Police Department on a toy drive. 

Decorating Contest

UHD's Staff Council's Holiday Decorating Contest had enthusiastic participation from a number of departments, including Information Technology, Environmental Health & Safety, Main Career Center, MDCOB Career Center, Administration & Finance, Parking & Transportation Services, Student Activities, and Registrar’s Office. The entries were judged using categories such as Most Creative, Most Traditional, Most Humorous, Best Door, and Best Themed, and ranked according to their overall scores by the judges. All the entries showed a high level of holiday spirit and enthusiasm for the season, making the judges’ job quite difficult. 

And the winners are … 

After much debate, the judges awarded first place to Information Technology for their starry night and candy-themed holiday display. Student Activities followed in a close second, and Main Career Center took third. 

UHD Staff Council thanked all participants via email for the amazing and creative displays. Photos of the first- and second-place winners’ decorations are shown in the carousels below.

Annual Holiday Toy Drive

Each year right after Thanksgiving, UHD Staff Council and the UHDPD collaborate on a toy drive. In 2022, three members of UHD’s Enrollment Management team, Elvira Rodriguez, Assistant Director, Customer Services and Outreach (Financial Aid); Kristina Raymond, Director, Transfer Relations (Undergraduate Admissions); and Teresa Sterling, Accountant II (Financial Aid), led Santa’s sleigh around the University to collect toys and candy from departments across campus. Lieutenant Trinity Delafance and Assistant Chief Carla Barnette, along with their fellow UHDPD colleagues, distributed the toys to local schools. UHDPD coordinates with administrators at school sites to set up delivery and distribution in plenty of time to ensure stockings were filled before Christmas morning. “I was happy to help Enrollmenet Management coordinate our efforts and participation for this worthy cause,” said Sterling.

Both events made it clear that the holiday spirit is alive and well at UHD!