Staff Member Honored by College of Engineering
Luz Sandoval Manjarrez, a research administrator in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has received an Outstanding Staff Award from the College of Engineering at the University of California, Davis.
The annual accolade marks individuals who consistently perform above and beyond expectations with exceptional service, innovative approaches, community engagement and commitment to the college's community core values and diversity, equity and inclusion.
In just over a year since accepting the role as a research administrator, award nominators note that Sandoval Manjarrez has transformed the financial health of her department.
Among her first tasks was to address the more than 100 spending accounts in the red. She rose to the challenge with tact and aplomb. She met one-on-one with each principal investigator to develop a personalized plan, meeting them where they were. In three months, she brought overspending nearly to zero.
Her diligence and thoughtfulness extended to her peers, helping them resolve issues across their accounts. She developed a recordkeeping system for improved tracking of transactions that has enabled proactive management across the department. Sandoval Manjarrez led — and continues to lead — rigorous account reconciliations each month, setting a new standard for accuracy, reliability and leadership on the team.
As a member of a committee tasked with creating events for faculty, staff and students, she worked to foster connections that colleagues noted went beyond day-to-day interactions. She organized holiday and event decorations, lifting morale and togetherness.
Sandoval Manjarrez bolstered her department through financial stability and by inspiring genuine connection and belonging.
