Picture teenager Archie Holmes, steering that old station wagon, friends piled in, pulling out of Round Rock High bound for Mr. Gatti’s lunch buffet. Back then, he says, he never had a hunch he’d build a career that allows him to give back so much.
Created by the Texas Legislature in 1993, the SECC has expanded its impact throughout the years. Last year alone, 14,000 state employees donated $4.5 million, supporting efforts like providing meals to children, service dogs for veterans, and aid for cancer survivors. At UT System Administration, 14.4% of our staff contributed $42,652. This year marks the 30th anniversary of generous giving by state, higher education, and retired employees.
Welcome to Get to Know..., where we feature UT System Administration staff as they offer insights into their lives in and out of the office. Each new edition will be published here.
A longtime “Michigan Man,” Dan Sharphorn is a veteran who served in Vietnam and later the Pentagon. A graduate of West Point, his career in higher ed started on the Hudson and then on to Ann Arbor. Since 2007, he’s navigated UT System's legal affairs with purpose and passion.
Natasha Rogers is on the scene to keep everyone and everything at UT System safe. She’s a fan of science fiction so no wonder a famous book by Louis Sachar, a story filled with magic and mystery, taught her perseverance that still helps her strive today.
Dr. Z oversees one of the country’s largest networks of academic health institutions. A physician for 30-plus years, caring for people is his lifelong mission. No wonder his peers voted for him to serve seven straight terms in the Texas legislature.
The UT Center at Laredo is a unique place with an important mission made possible by people like Roxana who share the vision. Her family recently expanded to five and while she might be sleep deprived, you’d never know it at the office, where she’s always motivated to thrive.
Stacey’s got all the smarts yet there’s so much more to her than the distinguished career she’s built. Seriously, have you seen her homemade quilts (click below)? Family, friends and travel are all that, but truth be told, she’ll never forget that time she spun the wheel with Pat Sajak.
Maryam is a proud Longhorn who carries her spirited 'Hook 'em Horns' enthusiasm wherever she goes. Her role is essential, centered around problem-solving. To unwind from the stress and find her chill, she kicks back with a game of Wordle or dives into a tactical showdown of Mah Jongg.
Hopeton ensures that all businesses in our great state get their chance to swing at the plate. During his downtime, sci-fi and fantasy movies, books and podcasts serve as diversions, broadening his mind with imaginative immersions.
When it comes to health laws and regulations and all that entails, the UT System is in good hands because Kris nails all the details. There’s no contract matter, no novel argument or challenging facts in a liability claim he’s not willing to tackle in the name of UT health institutions.
The FY 2025 Holiday Schedule has been posted by the Office of Talent & Innovation. The number of annual holidays a state agency is permitted to observe is determined by the national and state holidays referenced in Sec. 662.003 of the Texas Government Code, including where those holidays fall during the calendar week. Holidays that fall on a weekend are not included in the total annual count.
Marlena and her crew dig deep into complex data to inform and educate. If you’re like us, you darn near every day partake of OIRA’s definitive UT System dashboard. When disconnection calls, you’ll find her in her swim spa or swapping picks on the mandolin and tenor ukulele.
Who ya gonna call? Geooooor-gina! When you’ve got benefits questions, don’t be scared, pick up the phone or send an email because Gina comes through, without fail. She promotes well-being and a healthy work environment to keep you smiling through retirement.
A former chief of staff for Texas Sen. Zaffirini, Sean is legislative savvy. He started out in Aggieland but with a law degree from UT, he wears the burnt orange proudly, serving our System and the people of Texas regardless of affiliation all in the name of higher education.
As a System employee, clearly HR super-specialist Manon Goullet is a familiar name. Her knowledge and skill keep you above the fray and simplify your work life so you can stay focused on what matters most throughout your day.
If there’s an event going down, whether at the building, Bauer House or beyond, better believe Sarah’s skills make every System soirée smooth sailing. She’s lived all over, including Hawaii, but Austin’s home so seek her out for a new lunch spot or a mean cup of coffee.
Only ask Alexandra about her ample daily assignments if you’ve got a minute or three to spare. Enough to make most people’s heads spin, she practically whistles while she works, ensuring that the most unique education center in Texas runs as smoothly as she does.
The colossal admiration across Texas for Dr. Lakey comes from the mountain of health-improving projects he administers, coordinates or develops. He claims to find free time and fills it with family outings and outdoor adventures, the least of which being weekend yard work.
Tamra leads a team of 10 of the sharpest legal minds in the UT System Administration. But when recess calls, disconnected solitude is in order, whether that’s weekend golfing on a quiet course or escaping with a backpack to idyllic Colorado. Case closed.
