Staff member Cindy Orth celebrates 50 years at UTSA

Through determination, hard work and a love of learning, she helped the institution transition into the digital age. First came a homegrown software system unique to UTSA. Then, the university collaborated with the University of Texas at Austin in the implementation of a system called DEFINE in 1989.

In 2014, Orth's expertise was integral to UTSA's switch to PeopleSoft, the human resources and financial business management software currently used by UT System institutions.

"After the transition to PeopleSoft, Cindy oversaw the campus help desk to provide support on how to use the new program. This was an important and challenging role because Peoplesoft was a significant shift in many processes at once," recalled Sheri Hardison, UTSA chief financial officer and senior associate vice president for financial affairs. "Because of her invaluable support and significant knowledge, she is known around campus as being one of the 'faces' of the system."

Orth continued shepherding members of her team through a series of firsts. Her Business Information Services team, for example, was the first at UTSA to adopt a remote work modality. Housed in the Main Campus North Paseo Building, the team transitioned to remote work in September 2018 to accommodate the arrival of the National Security Collaboration Center.

Less than two years later, when UTSA pivoted to remote operations in the wake of the COVID pandemic, Orth and her team offered their experience by providing guidance, workshops, checklists and other resources to assist employees in making the digital transition.

Orth said a spirit of collaboration has been key to her work at UTSA.

"My various jobs have afforded me the opportunity to work closely with many constituents, including faculty, staff and students as well as colleagues at other UT System institutions," she said. "Whether we're talking face-to-face across a table or over a video call, no matter what the project, providing users with a good experience requires constant collaborative effort."

For the past 25 years, Orth has also worked to improve university operations and support the wellbeing of staff by serving on the UTSA Staff Senate, an advisory body of 40 members who make recommendations to UTSA President Taylor Eighmy regarding the interests and concerns of staff. Joining when Staff Senate was known as Staff Council, Orth has since served in every administrative capacity, including historian, secretary, treasurer, vice-chair and chair. Throughout her service, she has continually helped raise funds for scholarships for UTSA staff.