Patricia Martinez, assistant vice president for Student Affairs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was awarded the highest honor granted by the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International, which represents more than 17,000 professionals around the globe.

Martinez was honored with the 2019 Parthenon Award for outstanding service, leadership, achievement and contributions to the collegiate housing field.

“I am honored and humbled to be recognized by my peers with the Parthenon Award,” Martinez said. “ACUHO-I has made an indelible mark on the student-housing experience, and I look forward to continuing my work in making an impact on our students’ lives.”

Martinez, who joined UAB three years ago, leads operations for the Division of Student Affairs and its Student Services departments. Her list of responsibilities is long and includes ultimate oversight for student services that provide care, dining, housing and the infrastructure that contains them.

“Patty Martinez is well-deserving of this prestigious, internationally recognized award,” said John Jones, Ph.D., vice president for Student Affairs. “ACUHO-I has acknowledged what we already know: Patty’s excellence has a wide, impactful reach. We are proud to have her on our team.”

Martinez’s nearly 30 years of service to students includes her service to the ACUHO-I executive board as president, finance and corporate records officer and secretary, as well as international presentations in the United Arab Emirates, Scotland, Holland and South Africa. Martinez also currently serves as the global co-director of its Roelf Visser South African Student Housing Training Institute.