Laura Cuellar’s life is more than full, it’s overflowing. She’s a full-time program assistant in chemistry – responsible for accounting, budgeting, purchasing, human resources, payroll and “a lot of everything” for faculty, staff and students – a part-time student, Staff Council treasurer and chair of the Staff Recognition Committee for four years, a full-time mom and caregiver to her own mother. Yet Cuellar approaches her responsibilities with enthusiasm and joy.

It is for this commitment, dedication and positive attitude that Cuellar was chosen the 2005 Outstanding Staff Award recipient for Academic Units. “In my 15 years [at the Downtown Denver Campus] I have never met a person as professional, helpful and friendly as Laura,” writes one nominator.  

To see Cuellar navigating the ins and outs of the chemistry department, multitasking and juggling myriad responsibilities, it would appear she’d spent her entire Downtown Denver Campus career there. Rather she transferred from the computer science department not yet two months ago. “I enjoy people, I enjoy my contact with the students and with the professors,” says Cuellar. “The chemistry department is incredible. The ambiance is helpful and inclusive, it’s so nice.”

Cuellar started her accounting and human resources career at a local nursing home. Her skills enabled her to move and expand her career at UCDHSC five years ago. “You get so attached to people [at the nursing home], it was tough moving away from them, but the move here was wonderful.”

Currently majoring in psychology, Cuellar is taking classes whenever possible and working toward her undergraduate degree. She might shift her focus to sociology and/or communications. “I’m slowly getting there,” she says. “But as a full-time parent, a full-time employee and a full-time caregiver, it’s taking longer.”

Cuellar doesn’t begrudge any extra time getting to her destination and goals, the journey is rewarding and engaging. “I am always looking for challenges, new ways to enrich my knowledge,” she says. “I’m taking on the web page for chemistry . . . any time you take on new skills and new responsibilities it’s a good thing, it’s something I like to do.”

Other activities Cuellar enjoys include gardening and spending time outdoors. “I love spending time with my son playing outside,” she says of 7-year-old Christian. “If it involves my family, it’s what a love to do. If it doesn’t involve my family, I don’t do it.”

Born and raised in Denver and a graduate of East High School, Cuellar has a lot of family nearby. “All of our family is here,” she says. “It’s wonderful to have your family close by.”

Her university family overwhelmingly feels it’s equally wonderful to have Cuellar nearby: “Laura is a valuable asset, not only of the CSE department, but also for the UCDHSC Downtown Denver Campus,” writes a nominator. (Staff Council bylaws do not allow release of nomination forms or the identities of nominators.) “[She] certainly deserves the recognition for the outstanding work she has been doing for the betterment of our institution and serves its key stakeholder: the students.”