Helping students succeed is central to UHD staffer Jessica Acuña's every moment at
UHD. As a Student Account Specialist,
she helps students navigate the administrative—and sometimes intimidating—part of
simply being a student and what it takes to attend college, outside of attending class
and studying.
No longer a newbie at UHD, Acuña began working in Student Business Services in March 2023 and did such an exemplary job right out of the gate as a Student Account Specialist that she was named 2023 Rookie of the Year. She was elated to receive the recognition, saying, "It showed me that hard work does not go unnoticed at UHD, and I feel appreciated."
A first-generation college student, Acuña came to UHD after working as a special education paraprofessional for five-and-a-half years following graduation from our sister school, University of Houston-Victoria. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology.
Since receiving the Rookie of the Year staff award, she has been promoted to Student Account Specialist II. Not letting any grass grow under her feet, Acuña remains hard-working and continues to increase her skills by taking part in many UHD learning opportunities.
The avowed coffee-lover ("I love trying new coffee shops everywhere I go!") notes that other positive changes took place in her life over the last year: namely, becoming engaged! She is getting married in 2025.
Her favorite activity? She enjoys going to the park with her fiancé and her dog Muneco. "My fiancé and I are also very competitive at board games so hosting game nights and inviting family over brings me so much joy," said Acuña.
That joy flows over into her work at UHD as she serves students, interacting with them daily in person, on the phone, and through email. By explaining how UHD's Student Business Services can help them and assisting them in understanding their accounts, Acuña helps relieve stress and provides encouragement in fostering UHD's culture of care, keeping her eye on the ultimate prize: student success.