Human Sciences Staff Member Selected for Texas Tech Matador Award

Business Manager for the Department of Hospitality and Retail Management (HRM) and former Coordinator for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs in Nutritional Sciences, Ashley Wenzel, was selected by the Texas Tech University community for the Matador Award. The Matador Award recognizes individuals with one to three years of service at Texas Tech. Individuals who are selected must show significant contributions and shared innovative ideas throughout the academic year to the department and Texas Tech community.

Ashley was nominated and selected for her previous involvement with the Department of Nutritional Sciences. Ashley recently transitioned to her current role as Business Manager for HRM.

"When I was hired by Nutritional Sciences in 2015, I was an Administrative Business Assistant," Ashley said. "Thanks to my supervisor, Jenna, I learned my initial job duties quickly and was ready to take on more and more tasks as time went by. I was then promoted to coordinator in 2016 and continued to grow and learn more. I am so thankful for the guidance and teaching that I received from Jenna. I would not have been near as prepared for the Business Manager position without having learned from her."

Ashley noted that Nutritional Sciences values nominating deserving individuals for recognition when possible. As one of her responsibilities as coordinator, Ashley was in charge of sending criteria to Nikhil Dhurandhar, Ph.D.

Much to Ashley's surprise, she was nominated by the department and ultimately selected. The department credits Ashley with revamping its annual regional seminar for registered dietitians as well as helping to launch its Nutrition and Metabolic Health Initiative (NMHI), which provides access to expert guidance and solutions to managing nutrition and overall health.

"The Nutrition & Metabolic Health Initiative was a huge undertaking for everyone involved. I was the main point of contact for both patients and the NMHI Director, Dr. Binks," Ashley said. "Working through getting it set up and then tweaking the process as we learned was challenging but fun."

Ashley said the recognition was quite the honor.

"I absolutely loved my job and the people I worked with in Nutritional Sciences, so even being nominated made me proud to have served them well enough for them to think of me," Ashley said. "Being told you're appreciated is one of the simplest yet most incredible things you can hear."

As Ashley moves forward with her new role in Hospitality and Retail Management, she looks forward to growing the department's financial abilities and plans to implement new processes as she helps to establish a smooth process.

"I am excited to be working with Dr. Robert Jones, HRM Chairperson, and believe that he will facilitate even more professional growth and ability just like Nutritional Sciences did."