San Jac procurement department earns 14th consecutive national excellence award

Sep 17, 2026Jacquelynn Conger
San Jacinto College’s Contracts and Purchasing Services department
Pictured are (from left): Amy Lopez, purchasing assistant; Sendhy Jasso, purchasing assistant; Genie Freeman-Scholes (front), facilities buyer; Jaclyn Stafford (back), procurement card administrator; Melissa Fuqua, buyer; Damon Harris, chief procurement officer; Farrah Khalil, senior buyer; Rhonda Williams, contract administrator; and Angela Russell, purchasing director. Not pictured is Kimberly Adams, buyer.

Pasadena, Texas – San Jacinto College’s Contracts and Purchasing Services department has again been recognized for excellence in public procurement, earning the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® Award from the National Procurement Institute.

The 2026 honor marks the 14th consecutive year San Jacinto College has received the award, recognizing a sustained commitment to excellence, innovation and continuous improvement in procurement operations. The award recognizes organizations that demonstrate best practices in areas including innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership.

San Jacinto College is one of 251 agencies across the United States and Canada to earn the 2026 award and one of only 17 higher education institutions recognized.

“Fourteen consecutive years is an incredible accomplishment and reflects the professionalism and consistency of our Contracts and Purchasing Services team,” said Carin Hutchins, vice chancellor, fiscal affairs. “Their work helps ensure that employees across the College have the goods and services they need while maintaining strong internal controls, fiscal responsibility, and careful stewardship of College and taxpayer resources.”

The College’s Contracts and Purchasing Services department includes 11 employees who support purchasing and contracting needs across San Jacinto College. The team works to secure goods and services at the best quality and value while maintaining compliance, safeguarding College resources, and providing a high level of customer service.

While much of the department’s work happens behind the scenes, its impact reaches virtually every area of the College. The team serves as a partner to departments throughout San Jacinto College, balancing customer service with the responsibility to maintain sound procurement practices and protect the resources entrusted to the institution.

The National Procurement Institute established the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement program to recognize governmental and institutional organizations committed to procurement excellence. Award criteria evolve annually to measure and provide benchmarks for public procurement best practices and encourage continued organizational development and improvement.

San Jacinto College’s 14-year record of consecutive recognition reflects the department’s continued focus on operational excellence, integrity and service to the College community.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than 1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

 

 

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