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.

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  UH Campus Store Roars Back to Life at Stadium

  University of Houston football fans were greeted with a welcome surprise at the Cougars’ season opener: the return of the UH Campus Store’s on-site location at TDECU Stadium. Located next to What It Do BBQ on Cullen Boulevard, the stadium store had a brief run during the final two games of the 2024 season. Read more about the reopened UH Campus Store’s on-site location at TDECU Stadium. 
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  Parking and Transportation Enhances Student Outreach Through September Tabling Events

  To better connect with students, Parking and Transportation Services hosted two tabling events in September, offering helpful information and on-the-spot answers to common questions. At each event, the department displayed two large posters — one detailing shuttle services and another explaining how to park correctly so the license plate reader can scan plates properly. Find out what questions students had for Parking and Transportation. 
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  Valdez, Hart Excel Beyond the Office

  This summer, Esmeralda Valdez, Ph.D., executive director of University Services and Neil Hart, MBA, assistant vice president of Parking and Transportation, showcased their talents outside of their work responsibilities. See how these leaders excelled away from the office.
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  Cougar Woods Dining Commons Reopens with Dynamic Student Experience in Mind

  Cougar Woods Dining Commons reopened this fall semester after a busy summer of renovations, marking the completion of Phase II of its refresh project. This phase focused on transforming the space into a dynamic hub for dining and connection. Learn more about the reopening of Cougar Woods Dining Common. 

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  Students Have ‘RAD’ Time at First Year Eats Event

  Nearly 220 students ascended the stairs at the Retail, Auxiliary, and Dining (RAD) Center to be part of the mix of the University of Houston Dining Services’ First Year Eats fall get-together. Students mingled while enjoying an evening of deejayed music, finger foods, wandering waiters, mocktails (cucumber mint mojito, berry spritzer, and lavender lemonade), and raffles. Check the highlights of the First Year Eats fall event. 

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  UH Dining Services Hosts Welcoming Barbecue

  To kick off the fall semester, UH Dining Services hosted a lively “Welcome Back Barbecue” at What It Do BBQ, located next to the TDECU Stadium. Students, faculty, and staff came by to enjoy delicious food and music, while learning about campus resources and upcoming events. Pull up a chair and read more about the smoky and delicious event. 

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  CPH Welcomes Breaux, Perez to Team

  Cullen Performance Hall is excited to announce the addition of two talented professionals to its leadership team: Sarah Breaux as the front of house manager and Craig Perez as the back of house manager. Meet the new leaders at Cullen Performance Hall.
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  Cullen Hall Implements New ADA Process

  Cullen Performance Hall prides itself as a venue for everyone in the community. As part of this goal, the theater has made it easier for patrons to reserve accessible seating locations that meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act on its seating chart when purchasing tickets online. Explore more about this innovation from Cullen Performance Hall and learn about how it's now easier for individuals with ADA accommodations on campus to purchase tickets. 

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  Delivery Services Busy with Student Packages

  The Delivery Services team has had plenty to do with the great inrush of students for the fall semester. Packages have been arriving daily, as students receive items they ordered online or were sent from family members. Once at the Central Sorting Facility, items are grouped by residential halls so they can be placed on the appropriate vehicle for delivery to residential lockers or placed in the facilities will call to be picked up. Delivery Services then email students that their package has arrived and where to collect it.