Cougar Cudos

Cougar Cudos is a Staff Council program that allows staff to recognize other staff members for exceptional service to the University of Houston.

You can nominate a fellow staff member each month by using the form below. Winners will be awarded a certificate and listed on the Staff Council website!

Nominate a fellow Coog

Nominate a fellow staff member to receive a Cougar Cudos by submitting the online form below.

Make sure you are logged into your University of Houston Microsoft Office 365 account using your cougarnet credentials.

Cougar Cudos Nomination Form

How many staff members can I nominate?

As many colleagues that you feel need recognition for their contributions the the University of Houston.

How many times can a single individual be awarded a Cougar Cudos?

Winners can be recognized multiple times a year for different contributions to the university. If multiple people nominate the same staff member for the same work, the person will only receive one Cougar Cudos recognition. 

Can I nominate a person without letting them know?

Yes, you can submit a nomination for a colleague and choose to keep your nomination anonymous.

How can I access the Cougar Cudos Nomination Form?

You have to be logged into your University of Houston Microsoft Office 365 account using your cougarnet credentials.

2024-2025

Christina Gibson - CLASS, Deans

Crystal Gonzalex - Electrical Engineering

James Wright - Parking & Transportation Operations

Janay Johnson - Student Services

Kara Gaffney - Admissions

Keith Kaptchinski - Office of Contracts & Grants

Marian Sarkis - Pharmacy, Deans

Maricel Rodriguez - Techology Services & Support

Matthew Harvey - Technology Services & Support

Previous Recipients

Cougar Cudos was first launched in 2016 to recognize the staff across campus who demonstrated outstanding work and dedication to the University of Houston.

DaNesha Allen - Administration & Finance
Ace Anzaldua - Accounts Payable
Rafael Arroyo - Technology Services & Support    
Lourdes Arzip - Central Facility Services
Rosie Ashley – Cougar Card
Nicole Babineaux - Human Resources   
Carmen Bello - Administration & Finance
Robert Birkline - Administration & Finance
Glenn Booker - Administration & Finance
Tiffany Brandyberg - Finance
Callista Brown - Mathematics
Summer Boyd - Research Integrity & Oversight
Jacqueline Chee - State Appropriation Accounting
Meredith Coleman - Administration & Finance
Dee Crispin-Pincomb - Student Affairs
Eric Cabiran - Purchasing
Tripti Das - Accounts Payable
Ivey Davis - Technology Services and Support
Rosalind Davis - Pharmacological and Pharmaceutic
Chai Demoulin – College of Medicine
Tan Do - Facilities Buisness Services
Nikki Duncan - Human Resources
Danna Elizarraras - Facilities Management
Irma Ferriz - Scholarships & Financial Aid   
Karen Flores - Administration & Finance
Cristian Garica - Human Resources
Maria Garcia - Administration & Finance
Rocky Garcia - Administration & Finance
Enrique Garza - University Marketing, Communication and Media Relations
 Nalan Giannukos - Administration & Finance
Shaneika Gradney - Student Affairs
Andrew Greer - Office of Contract & Grants
Olivia Guo - Accounts Payable
Gosfrey Gutierrez  - Student Affairs
Matthew Harvey - Technology Services & Support
Zaakirah Holmes - Facilities Management                               
Marcus Hooks - Division of Research
Monica Floyd – Challenger Program
Malka Kirshner - Administration & Finance
Erika Lazo - Administration & Finance
Genny Lee - Bauer College of Business
Monica Li - Accounts Payable
Vivian LoDuca - Human Resources
Catherine Lofaro – KUHT TV
Rubin Logan  - Administration & Finance
Ashley Lucien - Natural Science & Mathematics
Amy Ma - Technology Services and Support
Frank Martinez - Human Resources
Antoinette Marvels - Chemistry
Maria Mendoza - Central Facility Services
Andrew Neilson – Hispanic Studies
Nancy Nguyen - Administration & Finance
Larry Nissen -  Technolgy Services & Support
Emilio Ontiveros - Administration & Finance
Carina Pouraryan - University Development
Dawnelle Prince - Student Affairs
Itzel Ramirez - Hispanic Studies
Irene Ray - Office of Contracts and Grants
Hallie Redding - Human Resources
Maricela Rodriguez - Technology Services and Support
Carlos Rodriguez - Student Affairs
Victor Rodriguez - Accounts Payable
Grace Rosanes - Division of Research

Kellie Sager - Electrical Engineering
Martha Saldana – Local Custodial Services
Debbie Samuels - UIT Security
Ryan Salazar – UH Sugar Land
Patricia Schwerin – Technology Services and Support
Maria Serenil - Student Affairs
Shirley Shiflet - Bauer Graduate Professional Programs 
Christos Stavropoulos - Administration & Finance
Vanessa Stepney - Office of Contracts and Grants
Mia Thomas - Administration & Finance
Trever Thomas - Jack Valenti School of Communication
Leslie Traore - Administration & Finance
Jason Trippier – Real Estate Services
Marti Trummer-Cabrera - Student Affairs
Chris Truong - Administration & Finance
Shantel Walker - General Accounting
Lindsay Ware - Facilities Management
Courtney Washington - Chancellor/President's Division
John West - Division of Research
Tammy Whatley - Student Affairs
Maggie Zarazua - Student Affairs
Jessica Zuniga - Student Services

Group Nomination: (Accounts Payable) Administration & Finance

Mary Black
ChunLing Lin
Atiner Stills
Phyllis Bearden

Group Nomination: LPC Team (Longitudinal Primary Care Courses with UH TJFF College of Medicine)

Esmeralda Machado
Marie Stevens


Group Nomination:  HCC Team

Naya Ellis
Abigail Vazquez

Group Nominations: UIT (Administration & Finance)

Carmen Bello
John C Gillet
Kevin Vu
Paul Serna
Cameron Raschke
Robert Birkline
Charles Chambers
Haydee Rodriguez
Nasir Ahmed
Meredith Coleman
Ivey Davis
Amy Ma

Group Nominations: Wellness Center (Student Affairs)

Brittani Clarkson
Carmen Foster
JR Rubinsky
Katie Dash
Jalena James

Academic Affairs

  • Akash Bhatt
  • Allison Watson
  • Bethany Rose
  • Christina Gibson
  • Curtis Wallace
  • Danielle Steber
  • David Carter
  • David Siegel
  • Erica Mahan
  • Fariba Pouraryan
  • Hector Abercrombie
  • Iqbal Haider
  • Jamail Garrick
  • Jason Burton
  • Jennifer Knobloch
  • Kayly Scott
  • Keah Walker
  • Kellie Sager
  • Kristin Johnson
  • Kurt Shimada
  • LaDawn Fletcher
  • Linda Hulett
  • Linda Silva
  • Louis Medina
  • Melisa Nieto
  • Merrylyn Gador-Manry
  • Nancy Do
  • Nhu Thuy Mai
  • Paul Turcotte
  • Ray Pina
  • Roneshia Palacios
  • Ryan Salazar
  • Scott Mason
  • Shanequea White
  • Shirley Shiflet
  • Stefanie Florencio
  • Steven Beatty
  • Tommie Trevino
  • Tristan Sims
  • Whitney Johnson

Energy & Innovation

  • Darayle Canada

Division Chancellor/President

  • Brenda Ramirez
  • Brisa Gossett
  • Mary Nguyen

Research & Technology Transfer

  • Alicia Vargas
  • Ashley Merwin
  • Elyse Davis
  • Grace Rosanes
  • Ha Nguyen
  • Jonathan Distefano
  • Karen Romero
  • Kendra Norwood
  • Latisha Gray
  • Marian Denney
  • Nicole Byrd
  • Summer Boyd
  • Timothy Thomas

Student Affairs

  • Brandy Taylor
  • Cam'ron Senegal
  • Gwendolyn Richmond
  • Norine Mattox
  • Tonya Anderson

Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine

  • Kenya Machado
  • Lupita Rangel Curiel
  • Naya Ellis

University Advancement

  • Abby Trahan
  • Anessa Rios-Ezeude
  • Carina Pouraryan
  • Cassidy Nussman
  • Sarita Mehta
  • Trina Silva

University Marketing & Communications Division

  • Celina Sandoval
  • Greg Ortiz
  • Jason Brock
  • Jeffery Lautenberger

Administration and Finance

  • Adetejuola Gbosi
  • Allyson McDonald
  • Amy Hutchings
  • Amy Ma
  • Bin Yang
  • Bret Collier
  • Chandra Johnson
  • Chris McDonald
  • Christina Martinez-Health Inspector
  • Consuelo Gonzalez
  • Courtney Washington
  • DaNesha Allen
  • David Frankfort
  • David Harrison
  • David Lee
  • Dawn Mopkins
  • Debora Jones
  • Diane Sylvester
  • Donna Halton
  • Elicia Davis
  • Emmett Sullivan
  • Ernest Johnson
  • Evan Broadbent
  • Ginger Walker
  • Hector Fuentes
  • Humberto Rodriguez
  • Iggy Harrison
  • Imani Anderson- Health Inspector
  • Ivey Davis
  • Jacqueline Chee
  • Jennifer Rea
  • Jesse Ash
  • John Garcia
  • John McNeely
  • Joshua Hahn
  • Keel Curtis
  • Kevin Vu
  • Kirven McKissic
  • Leroy Mays
  • Lisa Benford
  • Lois Nichols
  • Luis Vigil
  • Marcus Hicks
  • Maricela Rodriguez
  • Marissa Tarango
  • Matthew Castillo
  • Mark Norgan
  • Mark Rosanes
  • Martha Saldana
  • Martinique Burton
  • Matthew Harvey
  • Mike Oestereicher
  • Minhthu Pham
  • Miriam Serrano
  • Nalan Giannukos
  • Rafael Arroyo
  • Ramon Cantu
  • Rene Gonzalez
  • Ric Rodrguez
  • Ron Gonyea
  • Russell Allen
  • Saul Llamas
  • Scott Wharton
  • Shannon Harrison
  • Sharon Pellas
  • Stephanie Araiza
  • Steven Raymond
  • Tekchheng Tam
  • Tracy Wiggins
  • Wendell McCloud
  • Zhen Fu

Academic Affairs

  • Azucena “Suzy” Banuelas, Custodian III, Optometry Clinic
  • Willard Brewster, Manager, Facilities Management Zone
  • Anthony "Tony" Cantu, Skilled Trades Tech I, College of Optometry
  • Christine Cortez, Financial Coordinator I, Mexican-American Studies
  • Dr. Rikki Bettinger, Associate Director, Mellon Research Scholars Program and Program Manager, Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards
  • Kara Ellis, M.S., Academic Advisor I, College of Technology
  • Whitney Johnson, Program Manager II, Student Services, C.T. Bauer College of Business
  • Kevin Le, Engineering Technology
  • Judy Mata, Department Business Administrator, College of Natural Science and Mathematics
  • Jemal Moore, Academic Records Coordinator, Engineering Undergraduate Programs
  • Moumita Mukherjee, Senior Research Analyst, Institutional Research
  • David Nguyen, IT Support Manager, Graduate College of Social Work
  • Quentin Stewart, Assistant Business Services I, College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
  • Joana Tan, Assistant Business Administrator, Mechanical Engineering
  • Courtney K. Wilson, Instructional Designer II, Graduate College of Social Work
  • Harriet Yim, Web Project Manager, Office of Communications, Cullen College of Engineering

Research

  • Cory Tristan, Financial Assistant II

Student Affairs

  • Shenae Champ, Office Supervisor, UH Children's Learning Centers
  • Kim Clark, Executive Director, Campus Recreation
  • Sabrina Grant, Administrative/WC Building Coordinator
  • Cecilia "Cece" Hernandez, Assistant Director, UH Children's Learning Centers
  • Rachel O'Mara, Associate Director, Operations, Campus Recreation
  • Jennifer Skopal, Director, UH Children's Learning Centers

University Advancement

  • Kendra Hakanson, Program Director, Alumni Relations

University Marketing and Communications 

  • Dineta Fraizer, Administrative Assistant, Media Relations
  • Dianah Hobbs, Assistant to VC/VP for Marketing and Communications

Administration and Finance

  • Zachary Lounder, Financial Coordinator 2, Business Services, Department of Public Safety
  • Mariela G. Raudales, Financial Coordinator II, Business Services, Administration and Finance
  • Debbie Samuels, Department Business Administrator
  • Diane Sylvester, Assistant Business Administrator, Business Services, Administration & Finance
    Tiffany Taylor-Denson, Department Business Administrator
  • Jatarra Mayhue, Accountant II
  • Jesus Santos, Office Assistant I, University of Houston Police Department
  • Hector Bonilla, Contracts Reporting Manager
  • Allen DeForde, Assistant Director, Parking & Transport Services
  • Cristian Garcia, Recruiter, Human Resources
  • Vivian LoDuca, Senior Talent Development Specialist, Human Resources
  • Krista McElroy, Compensation Analyst, Human Resources
  • Joseph Carter, Building Management Systems Lead, Facilities Operation and Maintenance
  • Jesse Gonzalez, Building Management Systems Technician II, Facilities Operation and Maintenance
  • John Robinson, Journey HVAC Mechanic, Facilities Operation and Maintenance
  • Willy Vazquez, Insulation Mechanic, Facilities Operation and Maintenance/ Journey HVAC Mechanic, Facilities Operation and Maintenance
  • Rafael Arroyo, ACA, Technology Services & Support
  • Ivey Davis, User Services Specialist Lead, Technology Services & Support
  • Rene Gonzalez, ACA, Technology Services & Support
  • Matthew Harvey, Help Desk Coordinator, Technology Services & Support
  • Amy Ma, User Services Specialist Lead
  • Leroy Mays, Director of IT Customer Services, Technology Services & Support
  • Mark Norgan, Apple/Mac Desktop Specialist II
  • Llesenia Rodriguez, University Information Technology
  • Maricela Rodriguez, IT Documentation Coordinator II, Technology Services & Support
  • Mark Rosanes, Web Technology Manager
  • Michael Rapp, Enterprise IT Security Analyst III, UIT Security
  • Genille Rodriguez, Real Estate Specialist II, Real Estate Services
  • Paula Lockett, Custodian II