Rate My Professor Theresa Mendoza

Theresa Mendoza is a long-serving professional staff member at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. Currently, she holds the position of Trainer for AskOtago within the Operations division. AskOtago serves as the university's service desk and knowledgebase system, where Mendoza contributes to training and support efforts. Her contact details include a direct dial number of +64 3 556 5485 and email at theresa.mendoza@otago.ac.nz. This role reflects her ongoing commitment to enhancing operational efficiency across the institution.

Prior to her current position, Mendoza worked for eight years as the Administrator and Personal Assistant to the Head of Department in the Department of Chemistry, from approximately 2007 to 2015. In recognition of her outstanding workplace contributions, she received the Pride of Workmanship Award from the Dunedin North Rotary Club in 2015. At the time, Head of Department Lyall Hanton praised her extensively: “Chemistry is a large, complex and multifaceted Department of around 75 academic, general and research personnel and 70 postgraduate students not to mention the undergraduate students. Theresa is always totally organised and competent and this has been constant over her time in Chemistry.” Mendoza commented on the award: “I feel very supported. The award makes me feel like I am doing a good job and that people appreciate me.” Additionally, she supported departmental activities by taking group photos for research teams, such as Brooker's Bunch in November 2011, co-curating the online exhibition 'The World of Joseph W. Mellor (1869-1938)' with Professor Lyall Hanton, and being acknowledged in Chemistry PhD theses for her administrative assistance, including 'The Marine Biogeochemistry of Cadmium'. Her career demonstrates reliability and dedication to supporting academic and operational functions at the University of Otago.