University of Houston-Downtown

Welcome Jaeden Johnson to the Gator community! Jaeden, a senior at Jack Yates High School, participated in UHD's Upward Bound Program and will attend UHD in the fall.
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High school seniors in Houston Independent School District can become UHD Gators through our Houston ISD Guaranteed Admission Program with no application fee and free Wi-Fi, thanks to T-Mobile.

Click the link to learn more about the program: https://bit.ly/guaranteedadmissionprogram

We're excited to announce that Adriana Guzman, MIS major and Ted Bauer Scholar, is the recipient of the Society for Information Management (SIM) Women Houston Scholarship!

Guzman is actively involved on campus, participating in the Association of Latino Professionals for America (UHD ALPFA), the Student Organization for Management Information Systems (SOMIS), and the POWER On Heels Fund, Inc Progressive Leadership Program.⁠
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Please join us in applauding this outstanding Gator!

Click the link to read the full story on UHD News: https://bit.ly/3RylLKX

We're thrilled to announce our new Master of Social Work (MSW) Program, starting fall 2026. The MSW program offers flexible scheduling, allowing students to study full time or part time. Plus, unlike other programs, students are trained in both clinical and policy tracks and includes trauma-informed practice in curriculum. ⁠
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“We’re training future practitioners, yes, but also future leaders,” Liz Barrios- Lane, Associate Professor of Social Work and Director of Field Education, said. “People who will go on to lead organizations, shape policy, and even come back to teach the next generation.”⁠
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Click the link to learn more about UHD's new MSW Program: https://bit.ly/3PwZXPf

Thanks to the generous support of The C. T. Bauer Foundation, 56 Ted Bauer Undergraduate Scholars have received professional suits, each featuring a distinctive “Ted Bauer Undergraduate Scholar” patch sewn inside.

The Ted Bauer Undergraduate Business Scholarship Program supports students at the Marilyn Davies College of Business during their final two years, helping them graduate on time with strong financial and professional support. The Scholars receive academic guidance, career-readiness training, and encouragement throughout their journey.

Last weekend, we celebrated graduating high school seniors from UHD's Upward Bound program. The college preparation program provides first-gen students with invaluable support from academic advising and financial literacy workshops to a summer bridge program. ⁠
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This year, 30 senior scholars were celebrated at the annual Senior Signing Day, and it was one for the books. Congratulations to all the new grads!⁠
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Join us in welcoming our new Gators from the program:⁠
▪️Alexandra Carpio - Kipp Journey
▪️Rony Gomez - Harmony School of Ingenuity
▪️Jaeden Johnson - Jack Yates High School

When Rim Mohamed started in UHD's Urban Education program, she hadn't intended on pursuing a career as a school administrator. It wasn't until her first year of teaching when her campus principal (and former principal) encouraged her to go beyond the classroom.
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Now, the UHD alumna is making a name for herself as a principal at Dogan Elementary in . Under her leadership, students are making measurable strides through targeted support and a campus culture of high expectations. ⁠
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"My focus has always been developing the whole child,” Mohamed said. “We intentionally create opportunities for students to experience the world beyond their immediate community.”⁠

Read more about this outstanding alumna, her impact on student achievement, and more by following the link: https://bit.ly/42YIT7F

Welcome to UHD, Harmony Public School students! We loved meeting new Gators at our first orientation exclusively reserved for incoming students from Harmony Public Schools. From engineering majors to future nurses, we know these students have a bright future ahead.

See you in the fall, Gators!

Today the University of Houston-Downtown celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a special President's Lecture. We were fortunate enough to hear from Harry Gee Jr., a distinguished Houston immigration attorney, and his children Andrew Gee, Sonja Gee, and Claudia Gee Vassar. It was an inspiring conversation about legacy, resilience, and family values across generations.

Thank you to Nancy Li for moderating this powerful conversation. A special thank you to Donna Cole and the American Leadership Forum (ALF).

Spotted: Forever Gators 🎓️

Celebrate our spring 2026 graduates at UHD's Alumni Relations first-ever Chomp and Cheers from 6-7 p.m., Thursday, May 21, at Saint Arnold Brewing Company. All alumni are encouraged to attend and toast our newest alums.

Follow the link to learn more and RSVP now: https://bit.ly/43f76qj

Meet Vanessa Mattox, a member of UHD's Bayou's Best, a premier student ambassador and leadership program. Mattox, a Criminal Justice major, is deeply involved on campus and serves as the Community Outreach Director for UHD's Black Student Association. After graduation, Mattox plans to attend law school and pursue a career as an attorney. A first-generation, nontraditional student and single parent, Mattox also hopes to create a non-profit to help single parents pursue higher education.

Mattox says, "I want others to see that even after choosing my family and building a career, you can still come back, give back, and pursue your dreams.”

Read more about this outstanding Gator and her time at UHD by following the link: https://bit.ly/4tFsmAx

Congratulations, Alma May and Comfort Azagidi!

Ryan Knauer, a Ted Bauer Scholar, member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, and veteran, walked across the commencement stage on May 8. As an undergraduate student at Marilyn Davies College of Business, Knauer carefully balanced his time between classes, homeschooling his four children, and actively participating in organizations like ALPFA UHD.

The best part? Knauer isn't the only proud Gator in the family. His wife is a current student at MDCOB, and starting this fall, their son will begin his first semester at UHD. Knauer says, "UHD and the Ted Bauer Foundation invested in me so much, and I intend to invest back at scale.”

Join us in congratulating this outstanding Gator!

Read the full story on UHD News by following the link: https://www.uhd.edu/news/2026/may/a-family-affair-building-a-future-in-business-management.aspx

Did you walk the commencement stage on Friday, May 8? We want to celebrate you! Join UHD Alumni Relations at the first-ever Chomp & Cheers from 6-7 p.m., Thursday, May 21, in the Beer Garden at Saint Arnold Brewing Company.⁠
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All UHD alumni are encouraged to attend, share wisdom with new Gator alums, and connect with old friends. New grads will receive a special Saint Arnold Brewing Company pint glass!

RSVP now by following the link: https://bit.ly/4uhopTQ

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and UHD celebrates with an inspirational President's Lecture featuring immigration attorney Harry Gee jr. and his children. ⁠
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Join us at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 20, on the 11th floor event space in One Main Building for a special lunch and lecture. RSVP now for this powerful conversation on the meanings of legacy, leadership, and the immigrant experience by following the link. Click here: https://bit.ly/4uOgX2n

Join us in welcoming our NEW Gators from North Houston Early College High School!

Are you a parent of a Houston Independent School District senior? They can become a UHD Gator through our HISD Guaranteed Admission Program with no application free and free Wi-Fi, thanks to T-Mobile! Click the link to learn more: https://bit.ly/4ttrVsL

You did it for yourself you did it for them 🎓️ Happy Mother's Day, Gators!

📸: Sandra | Marilyn Davies College of Business UHD

It's your time to shine, graduating Gators!

Join us in cheering on our College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) at UHD and College of Public Service - UHD grads. Follow the link to watch the ceremony now: https://bit.ly/4nfsghi

Marilyn Davies was presented with an honorary degree in recognition of her significant contributions to the university's mission, its recent successes, and the lasting legacy her gifts will leave. Visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate for higher education, her leadership has left an indelible mark on Houston’s business and academic communities. A native Houstonian, Davies serves as Chief Executive Officer of Bailey Banks Seismic, L.P., a proprietary seismic data company that provides critical geophysical data to the energy industry.

Today is the day! We are so proud of our graduating students in Marilyn Davies College of Business UHD and College of Sciences and Technology who walk the stage this morning.

Don't miss a moment from UHD's 80th Commencement! Click the link to watch the ceremony now: https://www.youtube.com/live/0wGdkrojzcw

Cue the confetti! 🎉 Commencement Day is finally here!

If you can't attend UHD's 80th Commencement in-person, make sure to tune in to the official livestreams linked below.

Click the links to watch the ceremonies:
https://bit.ly/firstceremony
https://bit.ly/secondceremony

📸: Sandra G. | BBA in Finance | Marilyn Davies College of Business

Your moment is almost here, Gators! One more sleep until UHD's 80th Commencement Ceremonies 🎉

🎓️: Karen | BA in Education | College of Public Service | 📸:
🎓️: Amber | BS in Criminal Justice | College of Public Service | 📸:
🎓️: Valerie | BBA in Finance | Marilyn Davies College of Business

Two days until you cross the commencement stage, Gators. Give our graduating seniors a round of applause!

Don't miss a moment from UHD's 80th Commencement Ceremonies. Click the link for the official livestreams:
https://bit.ly/4cQJgqJ (first ceremony)
https://bit.ly/secondceremony (second ceremony)
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🎓️: Caroline ⁠
📜: BS in Political Science, minors in Communications and Sociology | College of Humanities and Social Sciences
📸: Tony's Lens

🎓️: Valerie
📜: BA in Finance | Marilyn Davies College of Business

🎓️: Abigail⁠
📜 BBA in Management | Marilyn Davies College of Business
📸: ⁠
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🎓️: Shona ⁠
📜: BS in Psychology | College of Humanities and Social Sciences

It's the final countdown! Only three more days until our graduating seniors join the UHD alumni life.
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🎓️: Jonathan⁠📜 BBA in Marketing | Marilyn Davies College of Business
🎓️: Briana, Leslie, and Cynthia ⁠📜 BA in Education | College of Public Service / UHD at LSC-Kingwood
🎓️: Stephanie⁠ 📜 BBA in Management | Marilyn Davies College of Business | 📸: ⁠
🎓️: Rosalind ⁠📜 BAAS in Applied Administration | Marilyn Davies College of Business

The countdown is officially on! We're only five short days away from the University of Houston-Downtown's 80th Commencement Ceremonies.

Click through for a few of our graduating Gators! 🎓️

🎓️: Jacky⁠
📜: BA in Education | College of Public Service ⁠
📸: ⁠
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🎓️: Ashley⁠
📜: BBA in Marketing | Marilyn Davies College of Business
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🎓️: Gwen⁠
📜: BS in Criminal Justice | College of Public Service
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🎓️: Chris
📜: Master of Security Management (MSM), Cybersecurity Concentration | Marilyn Davies College of Business

🎓️: Alyssa⁠
📜: BS in Interdisciplinary Studies | College of Humanities and Social Sciences