Home is where the heart is and for Angie Shortt, it’s right here on the campus of the University of Houston. As a student and as a staff member, Shortt has dedicated her time and energy to campus issues. Now, she’s prepared to accept even more responsibility at UH this fall.
As the newly elected Staff Council president, Shortt, director of communications for the Cullen College of Engineering, is looking forward to providing leadership to an organization devoted to staff issues. She admits, however, that her biggest challenge is following in the footsteps of Jeff Fuller, assistant director of student outreach services in the Office of Admissions, who served two terms as the council’s previous president and will step down from his post this fall.
“For the past two years, Staff Council has had the incredible leadership of Jeff Fuller and my biggest challenge will be filling his shoes,” she said. “As president, Jeff has been instrumental in creating relationships with administrators and staff around campus and increasing the awareness of staff advocacy. He has been a true asset to the organization and we are very lucky to have had his direction.”
Shortt graduated from UH in 1995 and immediately went to work in the College of Pharmacy as a Publicity Manager. Two years later, she became the director of marketing and communications for the Houston Alumni Organization before assuming her current role in the College of Engineering in 2001.
“The primary mission of the university is to support students and academic excellence,” she said. “I think having graduated from UH and having worked in different areas here on campus will allow me to add more to this position and understand staff concerns at different levels.”
This past year, Shortt served as the Staff Council’s vice president and was its secretary the year before. During this time, one of her biggest challenges and most rewarding experiences was co-chairing Cougar First Impressions. She cites this particular event as being the highlight of her Staff Council experience, but also feels that serving on various committees has allowed her to understand how the council functions as a whole.
Although excited about her new role, Shortt is equally enthusiastic about adding another chapter to her career at UH. While she has blossomed as a professional and as a student on campus, she has also developed lasting friendships.
She knows that her presidency in addition to her current duties at the College of Engineering will no doubt keep her on campus more. Then again, this is a place she’s called home for 13 years, so Shortt’s perfectly fine with the added tasks.
“This is like a second home for me,” she said. “The University of Houston will always have a special place in my heart because it's where I met my husband and all my closest and dearest friends. I couldn’t think of a better workplace to arrive early or stay late.”