Staff member Cindy Orth celebrates 50 years at UTSA

JULY 2, 2024 — UTSA is proud to recognize Cindy Orth, who this year reached 50 years of service to the university. Orth currently serves as the campus application services manager for University Technology Solutions and is one of only a handful of current employees who has been with the university since its earliest years.

Orth joined UTSA in June 1973 as part of the payroll team, with offices located at the Koger Executive Center in northwest San Antonio. It would be another two years before she would be one of the first staff members to move to the university’s newly developed Main Campus.

Throughout her time at the university, Orth has contributed to numerous strategic initiatives and process improvements. One of the earliest and most enduring projects Orth worked on was the modernization of business and financial processes that had previously been completed via typewritten paper copies.

“I have seen the university built from the ground up, worked with so many wonderful colleagues that have impacted my life, and continue to look forward to serving this great institution.”

Cindy Orth joined UTSA in 1973.

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 has helped spearhead several program improvements at UTSA.

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.

Orth gives a thumbs-up in 2014.

“Cindy is not just a mentor; she’s an inspiration. Her profound care and dedication to our UTSA community truly touches the heart,” said Amy Fritz, administrative operations officer in the UTSA Office of Financial Affairs. “Her passion has sparked the creation of many important milestones for Staff Senate, including the Strikes for Scholarships fundraising event in 2015, an extraordinary initiative that brought the community together to support UTSA staff pursuing degrees.”

Orth has also had a tremendous impact on the Staff Senate Elections Committee, added Fritz.

“Cindy meticulously coordinates the Staff Senate election cycle each summer, ensuring every voice is heard and valued, and every nomination and vote counted,” she said.

Orth’s name represents the caring culture UTSA strives for every day, added Shannon Rios, UTSA associate director of student programs.

“To the UTSA community and especially the Staff Senate, the name Cindy Orth is a beacon of warmth and dedication,” she said.

In true Roadrunner spirit, Orth cites her deep love of learning as key to making each day interesting.

“There’s always something new to learn, something to evolve and improve. Keeping up with these changes and passing them on to others has always motivated me,” she said. “I have seen the university built from the ground up, worked with so many wonderful colleagues that have impacted my life, and continue to look forward to serving this great institution.”

— Jessica Abel Wilkinson