University bursar Sharon Coomes recently was selected as the 2002 President's Outstanding Professional Staff Member of the Year at UNLV.

A 25-year employee of the university, she receives $1,000 and a plaque as part of the honor.

Coomes began her UNLV career in an entry-level trainee position in the bursar's office in 1977. She worked her way up in the office, holding a variety of jobs over the years, and was appointed bursar in 1990.

The bursar's office is responsible for billing students for tuition and collecting their payments and also for distributing financial aid to students and collecting loan payments.

As bursar, Coomes has emphasized the importance of automating the various financial systems used by her office. Only through automation has it been possible to improve service to students while at the same time holding down staffing costs as UNLV grew at a rapid pace, she said.

Coomes was nominated for the award by several members of her staff, who praised the innovations she has introduced in the office to improve services to students. They also noted her ability to inspire and support her employees.

"I was surprised and honored to be chosen for this award," Coomes said. "It is rewarding to know that my efforts to improve service to students have not gone unrecognized."