UTSA Associate Provost Lisa Firmin honored by CPS Energy at HOPE Awards

Lisa Firmin

By Veronica Jimenez
Communications Writer

(Oct. 27, 2014) -- Ret. Col. Lisa Firmin, UTSA associate provost for diversity and recruitment, has received the Military Service Award from the Hispanic Organization for Public Employees (HOPE), a CPS Energy networking group for active and retired employees. Firmin earned the honor at the 11th annual Tribute to Hispanic Heritage Gala for her advocacy of diversity and her work to support UTSA's military community.

Firmin was the Air Force's senior-most ranking Latina officer. She has held key leadership positions in retention, recruiting and diversity management with the Air Force and the Department of Defense. As a commander in a combat zone, she led efforts to build up Balad Air Base in Iraq and was awarded the Bronze Star medal. She also led the UTSA Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program to national distinction as the Best Large Detachment in the Nation.

At UTSA, Firmin was instrumental in developing the presidential-level diversity awards program for faculty, staff and students. Her work has enhanced student-veteran programming and has led to an increased awareness of the needs of student-veterans on campus. She serves as co-chair of the UTSA Veteran Student Advisory Committee. Last year, she co-authored a book chapter, "Serving Student Veterans at the University of Texas at San Antonio: Accomplishments and Challenges."

Other 2014 HOPE award recipients included Johnny Hernandez (Business), Gilberto M. Hinojosa (Education), Richard Perez (Community), Cleto Rodriguez III (Entertainment), Mario Lozoya (Government), Jon Hinojosa (Cultural Arts), Ed Garza (Leadership), Yolanda Arrellano (Marketing), Jacqueline Ortiz (Media) and Jimmy Garcia (Pioneer).

Each year, HOPE provides four $1,000 UTSA scholarships in memory of its co-founder Jimmy E. Garcia, a UTSA alumnus. UTSA student Alexandria Garcia, a two-time recipient of the HOPE scholarship and a public health major, was proud to be honored alongside Firmin at this year's banquet.

"Col. Firmin took the stage representing UTSA, wearing orange and blue with confidence and pride," said Garcia. "In her speech, she stressed how important acquiring an education was. Her words really resonated with me as a first-generation college student -- to continue striving for higher education."

Other UTSA scholarship winners included Julie Diaz (communication), Brianna Sanchez (pre-engineering) and Aja Calderon (biomedical engineering).

HOPE was formed in 2003 to assist in the development and advancement of Hispanics at CPS Energy and in the community it serves. Its objectives include professional development, networking, diversity, leadership, community scholarships and raising awareness of community leaders.

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For more information, visit the HOPE website.

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The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

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