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Administration and Finance

A&F Celebrates Divisional Graduates

By Jesus Acevedo Jr.

June 03, 2024

Join us in congratulating the fall and spring semester graduates from the Division of Administration and Finance. These graduates include interns, student employees, directors, and managers. Discover more about these graduates, their roles in A&F, and why they chose to pursue their majors.

 

esmeralda valdez

 

 

Dr. Esmeralda Valdez

Role in A&F: Executive Director, University Services
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies
Institution: University of Houston

What made you decide to pursue your major? 
As a life-long learner and a first-generation student, pursuing a doctorate was a personal goal that aligned perfectly with my professional career.  As a scholar-practitioner, this degree helped me better understand the various elements that impact our services and offered a new lens to explore possible solutions supporting the campus community.

Mayra Maciel

Mayra Maciel

Role in A&F: Facilities Services Administrative Coordinator
Degree: Bachelor of Arts – Communication Sciences and Disorders
Institution: University of Houston

What made you decide to pursue your major?
The firsthand experience in my autistic nephew’s journey inspired me to pursue the multifaceted field. Through this field, I am not only gaining valuable knowledge about speech, language, and communication disorders but also developing practical skills to help individuals like my nephew improve their communication abilities and enhance their overall quality of life. By choosing this path, not only am I supporting my nephew but also able to join a community of dedicated professionals who are committed to empowering individuals with communication disorders to reach their full potential.

Jade Barnett

Jada Barnett

Role in A&F: Facilities Services Office Coordinator
Degree: B.A. Masters of Science in Healthcare Administration
Institution: St. Thomas University (Miami, FL)

What made you decide to pursue your major?
Before having obtained my master’s degree, I held a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Houston. My overall goal has always been to pursue a successful career in the healthcare industry. Pursuing and obtaining my master’s degree in healthcare administration has placed me in a better position to achieve this goal.


 

Gary Gallagher

Gary Gallagher

Role in A&F: Principal Project Manager
Degree: Master's in Construction Management
Institution: University of Houston

What made you decide to pursue your major?
I chose to pursue a Master's in Construction Management to deepen my understanding of industry best practices, enhance my leadership skills, and contribute to the University. I hope to leverage my newly gained knowledge to lead projects more effectively, implement innovative sustainability practices, and mentor the next generation.

 


 

Anhaar Yunus

 

 

Anhaar Yunus

Role in A&F: UH Dining Marketing Intern
Degree: Bachelor’s in Strategic Communications
Institution: University of Houston - Valenti School of Communication

What made you decide to pursue your major?
I chose this major because I really enjoy the creativity and writing that goes with advertising. I've been passionate about art since I was young, and it allows me to be creative. I also believe advertising is important because media really influences how people think.

Nancy Aneke

Nancy Aneke

Role in A&F: UH Dining Marketing Intern
Degree: Bachelor’s of Arts in Strategic Communication with a concentration in public relations, minor in marketing
Institution: University of Houston Jack J. Valenti School of Communication (major/PR) and CT Bauer School of Business (marketing).

What made you decide to pursue your major?
I was inspired to pursue PR after my experience in a communications class back in high school. At first, I didn’t know I could pursue a stable career in the field, but after doing some research I stumbled upon public relations. I loved how versatile the degree was and how I could work in any industry, including higher education, corporate, and entertainment. Even as a marketing intern for UH Dining Services, I have seen how important PR is to the success of a business, and I have gotten the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned at Valenti to writing news stories and press releases and being a First Year Eats Ambassador for UH Dining.

Josselyn Tabora

Josselyn Tabora

Role in A&F: UH Dining Marketing Intern
Degree: UH Dining Marketing Intern
Institution: University of Houston

What made you decide to pursue your major?
I pursued Strategic Communication because of how versatile and creative this major is. Strategic Communication is all about embracing creativity in writing, design, and campaign ideas. I knew after graduation I wanted to go into the marketing/advertising world and this path would provide that for me.

 Hector Bonilla

Hector Bonilla

Role in A&F: Business Operations Director, Office of Administration
Degree: Master of Business Administration with accounting emphasis
Institution: University of Houston-Clear Lake

What made you decide to pursue your major?
I’ve always been fascinated by understanding how businesses operate, both from an operational and financial standpoint. After graduating with a Finance degree, I decided to pursue an MBA a decade later. Two key factors drove this decision. First, I believed that enhancing my accounting knowledge, especially after a decade of professional experience, would benefit my career. Second, several of my supervisors at the University of Houston encouraged me to take this step and I am deeply grateful for their encouragement.

 

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