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!

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.