This morning I attended my first Board of Regents meeting as UHD President. One of the biggest issues we discussed was budget. The UH system is in good shape. Several of the campuses are growing and research is growing significantly, particularly at UH, but also for the entire system. There were two main presentations, one on the budget and one on research. The following is a statement I sent out today to the entire campus:
At today's meeting, the UH System Board of Regents voted to approve the FY2010 operating budget for UHD. This budget reflects the priorities established by the UHD community through the spring planning process.
UHD’s total budget for the coming fiscal year totals $137 million and includes $6.4 million in new operating resources. We focused on the following high-profile initiatives in presenting the budget to the Board and to the Board’s Finance and Administration Committee:
• Advising and Scholarship Support ($1.8 million) – UHD will expand its advising and transcript evaluation services by adding 11 more advisers and transcript evaluators in order to better serve both first time in college and transfer students. We will also be adding 2 transfer coordinators and a Veterans Services coordinator. Funding for this initiative will come from the new advising fee. The bulk of the new money reflects increased scholarship support for UHD students from state and institutional sources.
• New Faculty to Support Growth ($924,000) – This budget includes 14 new, full-time faculty positions needed to accommodate our projected enrollment growth.
• Involvement in UH System Northwest Initiative at Lone Star College’s new center off Texas 249 ($250,000). We have committed these funds to ensure that UHD will have the resources needed to be an active partner in delivering courses and degrees at the teaching center.
Developing an operating budget for the coming year presented many challenges. The state budget for the FY2010/2011 biennium contains an estimated $12 billion of one-time federal stimulus funds. UHD’s FY2010/2011 appropriation includes $1.15 million of federal stimulus funds.
Due to the one-time nature of these funds, and because there are continuing concerns about the national and state economy, we have decided to delay making a decision about salary increases for UHD employees. None of the UHS universities included unconditional, base-funded salary increases in their FY 2010 budgets, except for UH-Clear Lake, which was not able to provide pay increases to its employees for the current year (FY2009).
It is worthwhile to note that in many states, public college and universities are experiencing conditions that are much worse than the conditions in Texas. A recent report issued by the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities, a non-profit , Washington D. C.-based think tank that examines federal and state fiscal policy, stated that as a result of this economic downturn, at least 32 states have implemented severe cuts to public colleges and universities.
By contrast, UHD continues to grow. As of yesterday, UHD had 11,205 students registered, an increase of 486 students (4.5 percent) compared to the number registered at this time last fall. Total student credit hours as of yesterday are also up by 5.3 percent. If we succeed in building our student credit hours throughout the year, a pay raise may be possible in spring, 2010.
In closing, let me say that while there are certainly challenges, they are greatly outnumbered by the opportunities. UHD is a young and vital institution in a high-growth part of the country and it has very talented faculty and staff. In the coming months, we will examine ways that we can both grow and re-shape our enrollments in strategic and resource-positive ways in order to benefit our students and therefore the institution. Thank you for continuing to encourage students to enroll at and attend UHD.
"At UHD, We're Making A Name For Ourselves."
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
New Faculty in This Economy?
Yesterday, I met a room full of new UHD faculty. When I mentioned that to a friend in California, he said, "You're hiring new tenure-track faculty in this economy? You gotta be kidding. We're just trying to hold on to what we have. We're reducing the number of students, taking furloughs, cutting-back on everything, and raising tuition and fees!"
Yes, we're hiring new faculty and we're planning to move from a 4-4 teaching load to a 4-3 teaching load next Fall--assuming we have the money to do it. It's not that Texas is rolling in money. In fact, like most states, this year the legislature and governor balanced the budget with stimulus money. That helped for now, but could hit higher ed hard in the next budget cycle. Even so, Houston and UHD have not felt the deep cuts of other parts of the country--not yet.
And, students keep coming, especially in areas around our learning centers in the some of the fast-growing sections of Houston. So UHD is growing. We expect enrollment increases of between 3-4% this year over last.
The real issue in a school like ours is retention. Only about 7% of our students are first time, full-time freshmen (what's termed FTIC). Most of our students are transfers from community colleges or re-entry students (who work full-time or close to it).
UHD is a commuter campus in downtown Houston where condos rent for 2,000-3,000 a month, rent most of our faculty and staff can't pay, let alone our students. So the students drive many miles to campus, take courses at our learning centers, or take online courses. The MetroRail helps as students and faculty can park miles away and ride the rail. As the train expand North and the spur lines are added East and West, more neighborhoods will be served by the train. Right now the MetroRail connects students from nearby community colleges who often are jointly-enrolled in UHD and a community college.
Like all commuter campuses, UHD is trying to do a better job in student retention and graduation. Few of our freshmen students graduate in four-years or even six years, because most are working. Yet, each year we graduate many students, enough that we can hold two graduate ceremonies, one in December and one in the Spring. Commencement Exercises are held in Minute Maid Park--where the Astros play--and we fill up the stadium with parents and relatives of graduates, twice a year!
In fact, UHD has received recognition from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and performance funding for graduation of Hispanic and African American students and for graduation of STEM students, particularly minority students.
So keep 'em coming and keep graduating them!
Yes, we're hiring new faculty and we're planning to move from a 4-4 teaching load to a 4-3 teaching load next Fall--assuming we have the money to do it. It's not that Texas is rolling in money. In fact, like most states, this year the legislature and governor balanced the budget with stimulus money. That helped for now, but could hit higher ed hard in the next budget cycle. Even so, Houston and UHD have not felt the deep cuts of other parts of the country--not yet.
And, students keep coming, especially in areas around our learning centers in the some of the fast-growing sections of Houston. So UHD is growing. We expect enrollment increases of between 3-4% this year over last.
The real issue in a school like ours is retention. Only about 7% of our students are first time, full-time freshmen (what's termed FTIC). Most of our students are transfers from community colleges or re-entry students (who work full-time or close to it).
UHD is a commuter campus in downtown Houston where condos rent for 2,000-3,000 a month, rent most of our faculty and staff can't pay, let alone our students. So the students drive many miles to campus, take courses at our learning centers, or take online courses. The MetroRail helps as students and faculty can park miles away and ride the rail. As the train expand North and the spur lines are added East and West, more neighborhoods will be served by the train. Right now the MetroRail connects students from nearby community colleges who often are jointly-enrolled in UHD and a community college.
Like all commuter campuses, UHD is trying to do a better job in student retention and graduation. Few of our freshmen students graduate in four-years or even six years, because most are working. Yet, each year we graduate many students, enough that we can hold two graduate ceremonies, one in December and one in the Spring. Commencement Exercises are held in Minute Maid Park--where the Astros play--and we fill up the stadium with parents and relatives of graduates, twice a year!
In fact, UHD has received recognition from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and performance funding for graduation of Hispanic and African American students and for graduation of STEM students, particularly minority students.
So keep 'em coming and keep graduating them!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
What Do You Think?
Today, I met with UHD’s staff of Student Services and Enrollment Management. I made the point that while recruitment is important, and clearly we need to enroll and admit more students, we also have to do a better job of retaining students and helping them to graduate.
Students (and their families) make a huge sacrifice to go to college. Many work full-time. Most work at least half-time. Many students must take on indebtedness to go to college: student loans, parent loans, bank loans, and credit cards. The debts stack up. So we want to do better in helping students to graduate.
I asked the SSEM staff, “If you were the president of UHD for one day, what would be the first thing you would do to improve UHD?” I made it clear that I am asking for input. Of course, we don't know how much money we will have so we can't do all of these things, but certainly we can identify some critical areas that we should address. Over the next few months, I will holding focus groups and initiate a campus-wide dialogue. This is part of that process.
Several ideas were raised that could help create community on campus and improve student retention. Here are some of them:
• Build a Student Union with space for parking, childcare, and office for student organizations
• Increase parking and improve the food options in the cafeteria
• Build a dormitory or negotiate special rates for UHD students for rooms in nearby apartments
• Bring in more international students and provide more opportunities for UHD students to study abroad
• Increase scholarships, particularly for transfer students and those close to graduating
• Offer more hybrid classes, full degree programs online, and more evening and weekend courses
• Initiate early intervention programs so that faculty inform advisers of failing students and those students who are not attending class
• Engage students with service learning courses and internships, where they both improve society and earn credit for it
• Expand support for student athletic teams, including a field where they can play softball, football, rugby, etc.
• Establish a unified freshmen experience: with a Fall event for all freshmen students, a common reading experience, and learning communities
I will be initiating a survey of students, faculty, staff, and community. Here are the questions and I welcome you to submit your response to me:
1. What things does UHD do exceptionally well? What makes UHD distinct from other institutions serving Houston or South Texas?
2. What could UHD do better? What would you recommend we improve?
3. What should we stop doing or do differently? Is there anything UHD is currently doing that is not productive or that is ineffective?
4. What opportunities exist for UHD that we are not currently tapping (resources, partnerships, unaddressed needs, niche markets, etc.)?
5. If you were president for a day what one thing would you do to make UHD a better place?
To complete the survey online, go to the survey or fax your comments to UHD President at (713) 221-8075.
Students (and their families) make a huge sacrifice to go to college. Many work full-time. Most work at least half-time. Many students must take on indebtedness to go to college: student loans, parent loans, bank loans, and credit cards. The debts stack up. So we want to do better in helping students to graduate.
I asked the SSEM staff, “If you were the president of UHD for one day, what would be the first thing you would do to improve UHD?” I made it clear that I am asking for input. Of course, we don't know how much money we will have so we can't do all of these things, but certainly we can identify some critical areas that we should address. Over the next few months, I will holding focus groups and initiate a campus-wide dialogue. This is part of that process.
Several ideas were raised that could help create community on campus and improve student retention. Here are some of them:
• Build a Student Union with space for parking, childcare, and office for student organizations
• Increase parking and improve the food options in the cafeteria
• Build a dormitory or negotiate special rates for UHD students for rooms in nearby apartments
• Bring in more international students and provide more opportunities for UHD students to study abroad
• Increase scholarships, particularly for transfer students and those close to graduating
• Offer more hybrid classes, full degree programs online, and more evening and weekend courses
• Initiate early intervention programs so that faculty inform advisers of failing students and those students who are not attending class
• Engage students with service learning courses and internships, where they both improve society and earn credit for it
• Expand support for student athletic teams, including a field where they can play softball, football, rugby, etc.
• Establish a unified freshmen experience: with a Fall event for all freshmen students, a common reading experience, and learning communities
I will be initiating a survey of students, faculty, staff, and community. Here are the questions and I welcome you to submit your response to me:
1. What things does UHD do exceptionally well? What makes UHD distinct from other institutions serving Houston or South Texas?
2. What could UHD do better? What would you recommend we improve?
3. What should we stop doing or do differently? Is there anything UHD is currently doing that is not productive or that is ineffective?
4. What opportunities exist for UHD that we are not currently tapping (resources, partnerships, unaddressed needs, niche markets, etc.)?
5. If you were president for a day what one thing would you do to make UHD a better place?
To complete the survey online, go to the survey or fax your comments to UHD President at (713) 221-8075.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Gators in the Bayou??
Every school has a mascot. They are great for school spirit. UHD has club teams, not NCAA sports. Even so, we have a mascot and it’s great for school spirit. I don’t know if the mascot will stay the same. UHD is going through a process that will ultimately result in the selection of a new name for the university, which may result in a new mascot.
When I first visited UHD during the interviews, I was surprised to learn that UHD’s mascot is the Gator. Are you kidding? Are there gators in Houston? Well, it turns out there are. But, don’t worry. Gators won’t be crawling up Main Street any time soon.
Of course, there have been real gators in Houston. When Houston was first established it was swamp land and there were gators in the Bayou. Every now and then, one turns up, especially after floods. Back in 2005, a 250-pound gator was spotted in the Bayou and was finally captured by a game warden. This past month, as I began the presidency at UHD, Houston Chronicle had an article about two men who were arrested for killing a 600-pound 13-foot-long alligator in Houston.
It turns out that it’s legal to hunt gators in Harris County, but only from April 1st –June 30th. Also, you're supposed to hunt gators with a bow and arrow. These guys shot it--on a protected preserve. They also picked the wrong gator. The one they killed was the star of Armand Bayou Nature Center ecology tours! Guess those guys didn’t get their education at UHD!
Personally, a 13-foot-long alligator scares the dickens out of me. But UHD didn’t pick the Gator as a mascot to scare anyone. The UHD mascot emphasizes student success and is appropriately nicknamed, “Ed-U-Gator.” The UHD mascot brings pride to the campus and helps build community. Our students love the Gator. They buy stuffed, cuddly gators (like little teddy bears). They have Gator key chains. Things like that.
UHD has teams, softball, volleyball, basketball and other club and intramural sports. UHD also has academic teams, like the Model UN, as well as the two students and faculty who are doing research at Argonne Labs. So, Ed-U-Gator builds a different school spirit-—it promotes student success and excellence.
Like gators, our students are determined. They are tough, relentless, and they are survivors. As one student told me, “I don’t think I would be in college if hadn’t been for UHD. They have classes at nights and on the weekends, plus online and hybrid courses. The staff and faculty work with you. It’s taken me nearly ten years, taking one or two courses a semester, trying to fit them into my work schedule. But, I’ll be graduating next Spring.” That about sums it up! Gators Rule!
When I first visited UHD during the interviews, I was surprised to learn that UHD’s mascot is the Gator. Are you kidding? Are there gators in Houston? Well, it turns out there are. But, don’t worry. Gators won’t be crawling up Main Street any time soon.
Of course, there have been real gators in Houston. When Houston was first established it was swamp land and there were gators in the Bayou. Every now and then, one turns up, especially after floods. Back in 2005, a 250-pound gator was spotted in the Bayou and was finally captured by a game warden. This past month, as I began the presidency at UHD, Houston Chronicle had an article about two men who were arrested for killing a 600-pound 13-foot-long alligator in Houston.
It turns out that it’s legal to hunt gators in Harris County, but only from April 1st –June 30th. Also, you're supposed to hunt gators with a bow and arrow. These guys shot it--on a protected preserve. They also picked the wrong gator. The one they killed was the star of Armand Bayou Nature Center ecology tours! Guess those guys didn’t get their education at UHD!
Personally, a 13-foot-long alligator scares the dickens out of me. But UHD didn’t pick the Gator as a mascot to scare anyone. The UHD mascot emphasizes student success and is appropriately nicknamed, “Ed-U-Gator.” The UHD mascot brings pride to the campus and helps build community. Our students love the Gator. They buy stuffed, cuddly gators (like little teddy bears). They have Gator key chains. Things like that.
UHD has teams, softball, volleyball, basketball and other club and intramural sports. UHD also has academic teams, like the Model UN, as well as the two students and faculty who are doing research at Argonne Labs. So, Ed-U-Gator builds a different school spirit-—it promotes student success and excellence.
Like gators, our students are determined. They are tough, relentless, and they are survivors. As one student told me, “I don’t think I would be in college if hadn’t been for UHD. They have classes at nights and on the weekends, plus online and hybrid courses. The staff and faculty work with you. It’s taken me nearly ten years, taking one or two courses a semester, trying to fit them into my work schedule. But, I’ll be graduating next Spring.” That about sums it up! Gators Rule!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
First Class
I have been president for one week. This morning I shook hands with the first graduating class of an exciting new program offered at UHD.
Some of you are saying, "Huh? Didn't he just become president? How is he already doing a graduation ceremony?" Believe me, that's what I thought when I was asked to lead the commencement. Today, was the graduation exercise of the First Master of Security Management for Executives (MSME) cohort. Eleven working professionals received their master's degree today.
The program, jointly operated by the College of Public Service and the College of Business, is quite impressive and unique, as it prepares students for global security positions and, in addition to UHD faculty, includes working professionals as instructors. Over half of the class have either received promotions or significantly expanded their duties and responsibilities as a direct result of their participation in the program. Allow me to offer a few examples.
One student began as a sergeant in a local police department and now manages global security operations and risk for a security company. His capstone project addressed many of the open sea piracy issues we have witnessed on the news recently.
A second student began the programs as an assistant with one company and was hired by another company to manage a multi-billion dollar project as a result of her participation in the first year of the MSME program. She is now writing global policies.
A third student is the security coordinator for a multinational energy corporation. Early on in the program, he assigned to lead a sensitive investigation overseas on very short notice. His first call was to one of his professors in the program. His second call was to a fellow classmate who was able to connect him with needed support nearby to address the crisis.
And then there's president of the MSME student organization, who started his career in the military, went on into local law enforcement and is now an assistant director for a global security company. In his comments before his fellow students, he cited "the elements that make this program superior are the exceptionally qualified faculty, the integration of security courses and the business courses, and the support of each other." He made it clear that he along with his fellow students "are proud to have 'plowed the field' for subsequent cohorts and pledged to honor the MSME title with extraordinary professional careers."
The class chose the name Pathfinders. That they are. They have set a high bar. Like so many students at UHD, they are first class! Congratulations!
Some of you are saying, "Huh? Didn't he just become president? How is he already doing a graduation ceremony?" Believe me, that's what I thought when I was asked to lead the commencement. Today, was the graduation exercise of the First Master of Security Management for Executives (MSME) cohort. Eleven working professionals received their master's degree today.
The program, jointly operated by the College of Public Service and the College of Business, is quite impressive and unique, as it prepares students for global security positions and, in addition to UHD faculty, includes working professionals as instructors. Over half of the class have either received promotions or significantly expanded their duties and responsibilities as a direct result of their participation in the program. Allow me to offer a few examples.
One student began as a sergeant in a local police department and now manages global security operations and risk for a security company. His capstone project addressed many of the open sea piracy issues we have witnessed on the news recently.
A second student began the programs as an assistant with one company and was hired by another company to manage a multi-billion dollar project as a result of her participation in the first year of the MSME program. She is now writing global policies.
A third student is the security coordinator for a multinational energy corporation. Early on in the program, he assigned to lead a sensitive investigation overseas on very short notice. His first call was to one of his professors in the program. His second call was to a fellow classmate who was able to connect him with needed support nearby to address the crisis.
And then there's president of the MSME student organization, who started his career in the military, went on into local law enforcement and is now an assistant director for a global security company. In his comments before his fellow students, he cited "the elements that make this program superior are the exceptionally qualified faculty, the integration of security courses and the business courses, and the support of each other." He made it clear that he along with his fellow students "are proud to have 'plowed the field' for subsequent cohorts and pledged to honor the MSME title with extraordinary professional careers."
The class chose the name Pathfinders. That they are. They have set a high bar. Like so many students at UHD, they are first class! Congratulations!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Location, Location, Location
Many people wonder why I live and work in the downtown. I love it. Houston is a vibrant city with all the energy of any major metropolis. The University of Houston-Downtown provides its students, faculty, and staff with a major opportunity. You can walk down the street and and do so many things: listen to jazz or blues; eat at a fabulous restaurant; watch the Astros in Minute Maid Park; go to a play, the symphony, a concert-- or just kick back and have coffee at a sidewalk cafe. On the weekends, the club scene starts and the downtown looks different, as young people line up to get into the hot spots.
The Pros Play Here! The Rockets play just down the street. I can hardly wait until the NBA season starts. And, if you want to go to a museum or to Reliant Stadium to see the Texans play pro-football, you just hop on the MetroRail. On Saturdays, you can ride down to Miller Park and watch a Broadway show or musical in the amphitheater or bring a blanket or chair and sit back on a grass-covered hill, free of charge! During the day, when the heat get bad I often go underground. Much of the city is inter-connected by tunnels, with shopping, food, even credit unions, dentists, massage therapy, and beauty salons.
Few colleges offer such opportunities. Many of our students work downtown in restaurants, hotels, a theater, or one of the many companies that are headquartered here. They take classes after work, study in the library, play basketball or work out in the gym. And, if they want to, they can go with their friends for pizza and a drink or walk to a baseball game. Most universities are located away from the city. They have sports teams on campus. We don't. But our students can watch the pros play. And, the campus buys discount tickets so students, staff, and faculty can attend a game together.
I love the excitement of a baseball game: the fans doing the wave or singing, "We will, We Will Rock You..." and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the Seventh Inning Stretch; washing down hot dogs and nachos or peanuts with a cold beer; and, watching everyone having a great time--win or lose. Since I arrived in town, the Astros are winning. In fact, they're doing pretty good.
And, Minute Maid Park is a great venue. It has a retractable roof and air conditioning. They pull back the roof for fireworks after Friday night games. And, it's where UHD holds its graduation ceremonies. Can you imagine? Being a student receiving your diploma, seeing yourself on the JumboTron! The parents and family members go wild.
Houston is also a relatively safe city. I've lived for short spells in other cities. I love New York, the Bay Area, L.A., Chicago, Santa Fe, Paris, and Mexico City. Each has its splendor. But, Houston grows on you. And, Houstonians are much friendlier than are New Yorkers.
So I enjoy the city at night. I listen to jazz, eat great food. And, I am thankful to be here.
The Pros Play Here! The Rockets play just down the street. I can hardly wait until the NBA season starts. And, if you want to go to a museum or to Reliant Stadium to see the Texans play pro-football, you just hop on the MetroRail. On Saturdays, you can ride down to Miller Park and watch a Broadway show or musical in the amphitheater or bring a blanket or chair and sit back on a grass-covered hill, free of charge! During the day, when the heat get bad I often go underground. Much of the city is inter-connected by tunnels, with shopping, food, even credit unions, dentists, massage therapy, and beauty salons.
Few colleges offer such opportunities. Many of our students work downtown in restaurants, hotels, a theater, or one of the many companies that are headquartered here. They take classes after work, study in the library, play basketball or work out in the gym. And, if they want to, they can go with their friends for pizza and a drink or walk to a baseball game. Most universities are located away from the city. They have sports teams on campus. We don't. But our students can watch the pros play. And, the campus buys discount tickets so students, staff, and faculty can attend a game together.
I love the excitement of a baseball game: the fans doing the wave or singing, "We will, We Will Rock You..." and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the Seventh Inning Stretch; washing down hot dogs and nachos or peanuts with a cold beer; and, watching everyone having a great time--win or lose. Since I arrived in town, the Astros are winning. In fact, they're doing pretty good.
And, Minute Maid Park is a great venue. It has a retractable roof and air conditioning. They pull back the roof for fireworks after Friday night games. And, it's where UHD holds its graduation ceremonies. Can you imagine? Being a student receiving your diploma, seeing yourself on the JumboTron! The parents and family members go wild.
Houston is also a relatively safe city. I've lived for short spells in other cities. I love New York, the Bay Area, L.A., Chicago, Santa Fe, Paris, and Mexico City. Each has its splendor. But, Houston grows on you. And, Houstonians are much friendlier than are New Yorkers.
So I enjoy the city at night. I listen to jazz, eat great food. And, I am thankful to be here.
Houston's Best Kept Secret
Sitting from my desk at the University of Houston-Downtown, I can see the panorama of the city, the skyscrapers, the MetroRail that runs right to the door of the university, and the hustle and bustle of the fourth-largest city in the country. I've got to wonder, how is it so few people know about this great university? After all, every day the MetroRail runs right through the Downtown. Going north from Reliant Stadium to UHD at each stop you hear the announcement, "Train to UH-Downtown now arriving." The Train's front destination lights even say "UH-Downtown."
Yet, many Houston residents don't know about UHD or have misconceptions about it. Some think UHD is a branch of the University of Houston. Actually, it is an independently accredited university that is part of the University of Houston System. Some think it is a community college or just has a few programs. In fact, it is a comprehensive institution that offers bachelor and master's degrees. Some think its a small college, yet UHD is a university with nearly 13,000 students. The campus has grown in its three decades of existence from one-building to several and has learning centers in other parts of the city.
Those I have met at UHD are truly committed to the university and its mission. They understand that is a New American University--one that looks like Houston and looks like much of America. It is diverse, 31% Hispanic, 27% African American, with students from a variety of countries and backgrounds.
Most of the students work full-time or close to it. Most are transfer students. Many work in the downtown or nearby companies that have their headquarters in Houston. They have high hopes--of being accountants, lawyers, CEOs, or owner of their own business, or of being teachers, social works, or engineers. Most are the first in their families to go to college and most come from low and middle income families. Quite a few have their own families and, of course, many are single mothers, trying to desperately to work, raise their children and better their lives. Many of those I've met were born in other countries and came to American and Houston for the opportunity it provides.
Our students choose UHD because it fits their lives, they learn in small classrooms, interact with their professors, get support from the staff, and are encouraged to succeed. They can take online courses, face-to-face classes, and hybrid courses. The buildings are completely wireless and there is plenty of access to computers, including laptop check-out in the College of Business.
UHD is a metropolitan university. It's faculty and its students actively participate through service learning and volunteerism in the schools, hospitals, service agencies, and jails that surround UHD. The students are of Houston and for Houston. They have their roots here and their families. And, it is in Houston where they will work and make a name for themselves.
In the days that follow I will describe what I learn about the students, the campus, and Houston. I will also share with how all of us at UHD are making a name for ourselves. Let me know what you think. Give me your comment below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Yet, many Houston residents don't know about UHD or have misconceptions about it. Some think UHD is a branch of the University of Houston. Actually, it is an independently accredited university that is part of the University of Houston System. Some think it is a community college or just has a few programs. In fact, it is a comprehensive institution that offers bachelor and master's degrees. Some think its a small college, yet UHD is a university with nearly 13,000 students. The campus has grown in its three decades of existence from one-building to several and has learning centers in other parts of the city.
Those I have met at UHD are truly committed to the university and its mission. They understand that is a New American University--one that looks like Houston and looks like much of America. It is diverse, 31% Hispanic, 27% African American, with students from a variety of countries and backgrounds.
Most of the students work full-time or close to it. Most are transfer students. Many work in the downtown or nearby companies that have their headquarters in Houston. They have high hopes--of being accountants, lawyers, CEOs, or owner of their own business, or of being teachers, social works, or engineers. Most are the first in their families to go to college and most come from low and middle income families. Quite a few have their own families and, of course, many are single mothers, trying to desperately to work, raise their children and better their lives. Many of those I've met were born in other countries and came to American and Houston for the opportunity it provides.
Our students choose UHD because it fits their lives, they learn in small classrooms, interact with their professors, get support from the staff, and are encouraged to succeed. They can take online courses, face-to-face classes, and hybrid courses. The buildings are completely wireless and there is plenty of access to computers, including laptop check-out in the College of Business.
UHD is a metropolitan university. It's faculty and its students actively participate through service learning and volunteerism in the schools, hospitals, service agencies, and jails that surround UHD. The students are of Houston and for Houston. They have their roots here and their families. And, it is in Houston where they will work and make a name for themselves.
In the days that follow I will describe what I learn about the students, the campus, and Houston. I will also share with how all of us at UHD are making a name for ourselves. Let me know what you think. Give me your comment below. I look forward to hearing from you.
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