A Wildcat 'through and through' – Olivia A. Mendoza wins the Billy Joe Varney Staff Award for Excellence

Olivia A. Mendoza, senior program coordinator in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, didn't expect to be in the spotlight, but her impact across the University of Arizona community made her a clear choice for the Billy Joe Varney Staff Award for Excellence. 

The Billy Joe Varney Staff Award for Excellence is the highest honor among the university’s annual Staff Awards for Excellence, recognizing an employee who has made outstanding contributions to the institution, its people and the broader community. The awards program, presented by Staff Council with support from the Office of the President, celebrates staff members who exemplify dedication, service and impact across the university. 

For Mendoza, the recognition is deeply meaningful, but her focus remains on the people around her. 

"Every day is different," she said. "It's one of the many reasons why I love my job." That energy has translated into a career defined by connection, adaptability and commitment to others.  

'She lives and breathes the Wildcat spirit' 

Mendoza has been working at the university for 32 years, leading and supporting a wide range of student-focused initiatives. These include building ambassador and peer mentor programs that strengthen recruitment and ease student transitions, organizing outreach events and creating storytelling platforms highlighting the people and experiences within her department. 

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Colleagues say Mendoza's influence is felt constantly.  

"Olivia is one of the most kind and generous people I've ever met," said Craig Aspinwall, head of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Her entire focus is on helping others, especially students. She is always there with a warm smile and kind words. She lives and breathes the Wildcat spirit." 

Lisa Arrotta, executive assistant in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, described her as an invaluable resource on campus, noting that if someone needs information, guidance or a connection, Mendoza is the person to talk to. 

 "She's so welcoming, it's just in her nature," said Arrotta, adding that the same care Mendoza shows students is reflected in how she supports faculty and staff. "She's the person you can go to. Even if she can't do it herself, she will find a way to connect you with someone who can." 

Mendoza's work also centers on highlighting others. From programs for incoming students to alumni storytelling initiatives, she consistently looks for ways to celebrate the people around her.  

At her core, Arrotta says, Mendoza embodies the spirit of the university. "She has the Wildcat spirit through and through," she said, pointing to Mendoza's decades of service and dedication to students, colleagues and community. 

When asked what advice she would give others hoping to make an impact, Mendoza kept it simple. 

"Go with the flow," she said. "Listen, adapt, be a team player, don't be afraid to speak up, and most important, just be kind." 

This year's other winners are listed below. Honorees will be formally recognized at the University of Arizona Staff Awards for Excellence ceremony from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on April 23 in the South Ballroom of the Student Union Memorial Center. Members of the community are invited to attend. Learn more about the awards and criteria on the Employee Recognition Committee website.

University Award for Excellence – Individuals 

• Craig Baker, Communications and Marketing Lead, Udall Center 

• Brett Blum, Interim Director, Arizona Experiment Station 

• Shelly Braun, Senior Program Coordinator, School of Music 

• Chris Gast, Senior Director, Student Resources, College of Law 

• Debbie Reed, Senior Program Coordinator, School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences 

• Maria Rodriguez, Senior Program Coordinator, Department of Neuroscience 

• Gennady Sare, Manager of Business and Finance, School of International Languages, Literatures, and Cultures 

• Yazmin Vasquez, Administrative Associate, Confluencenter for Creative Inquiry 

• Ivonne Wadleigh, Digital Marketing Manager, Community Nutrition Education Program 

Team Award for Excellence 

• Faculty Affairs Team 

• Chemistry and Biochemistry Instructional Lab Support Group 

Center/Department/Unit Award for Excellence 

• Center for Recruitment and Retention of Mathematics Teachers