College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at UH

Today, our UH Center for Mexican American and Latino/a Studies had a visit from members of the Mexican Consulate. Consul General Maria Elena Orantes and Consul Edgardo Briones learned about the work CMALS is doing here on campus and in the community. It was an honor to have them visit, and we're so proud of the research and ways our CMALS team are advancing the understanding of Mexican and Latino/a culture.

You can learn more about the visit here: https://www.uh.edu/class/news/archive/cmals-consulate-visit.php

We are proud to feature Taryn Patterson in our Class of 2026 Senior Spotlight series.

Taryn earned a B.S. in Psychology and a B.S. in Sociology with a minor in interpersonal communication. Throughout her undergraduate career, Taryn leaned into the rigorous academic environments of both departments, noting that classroom debates and in-depth discussions helped shape her perspective as a researcher and scholar.

Taryn credits the exceptional faculty at the University of Houston for guiding her to break down personal barrier. She extends a special thank you to Dr. Shayne Lee, Dr. Stella Grigorian, and Dr. Sheila Katz for consistently challenging her intellectually, introducing alternative viewpoints, and fostering critical thinking.

Taryn will pursue a master's degree in Sociology at the University of Houston this fall. Her long-term goal is to secure admittance into a psychology PhD program.

Congratulations, Taryn! We look forward to your continued success in graduate school.

We are proud to feature Exercise Science graduate Sofia Perez Camero in our Class of 2026 Senior Spotlight series.

Sofia dedicated much of her undergraduate career to leadership and service. As a coordinator for the UH Adaptive Athletics program, she gained invaluable experience developing inclusive community initiatives and refining her skills in the health sciences.

Sofia extends her gratitude to Dr. Emily LaVoy for providing a trusted space for academic and professional mentorship. She also thanks Dr. Michael Cottingham for his profound inspiration, teaching her to lead with empathy and approach the field with a dedicated purpose.

Sofia is actively pursuing her next professional milestone to become a doctor of physical therapy (DPT). Congratulations, Sofia! We look forward to seeing your continued leadership and impact in the healthcare field.

We are pleased to highlight alumna Audrey Martinez Hernandez in our Class of 2026 Senior Spotlight series.

Audrey earned her degree in Strategic Communication with a concentration in public relations from the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication. By studying in the center of Houston, Audrey leveraged the city's rich, multicultural landscape to develop a global outlook on corporate communication and brand storytelling.

After getting the bachelor’s degree, Audrey is transitioning into her full-time role with activewear brand Vuori, while laying the groundwork to pursue her master's degree.

Congratulations, Audrey! We are eager to see you thrive in the corporate space.

We are proud to celebrate Sports Administration graduate Lejon Colebear Giles Jr. in our Class of 2026 Senior Spotlight series.

A local Houstonian with lifelong ties to the university's football culture, Lejon chose UH to turn his passion for athletics into a professional career. Throughout his time at UH, he gained hands-on insight into the industry, including a unique opportunity to tour operations at the Houston Rockets' Toyota Center.

Lejon extends his gratitude to the UH Veterans Services staff for their dedicated support and guidance throughout his academic journey. He also thanks the faculty within the Sports Administration program for providing him with the foundational knowledge required to excel in athletic leadership.

Lejon is currently completing an athletic facilities and events internship with Rice University. Following this role, he plans to pursue a graduate assistant position as he works toward his goal of becoming an assistant football coach. Please join us in congratulating Lejon on his graduation!

We are proud to spotlight Nine Abad, who has completed a B.A. in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and a B.S. in Political Science at the University of Houston.

Nine's undergraduate career is a testament to the power of research and mentorship at UH. As a highly active scholar, she participated in several premier research initiatives, including SURF, FrameWorks, Mellons, and PURS, and successfully defended a 100+ page undergraduate thesis. Nine credits the Office of Undergraduate Research and Major Awards (OURMA) and the UH Libraries Special Collections for providing her with the tools to excel as a student and researcher.

She extends gratitude to Dr. Abigail Modaff, Dr. Richard Garner, Dr. Norah Gharala, Dr. Ben Rayder, Dr. Rikki Bettinger, and Joyce Gabiola for their invaluable guidance, support, and mentorship throughout this rigorous academic journey.

Nine has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar and will be traveling to Taiwan to serve as a Fulbright debate coach. Upon returning, she plans to pursue a PhD focusing on Filipino Studies, History, and Gender Studies.

Please join us in congratulating Nine on these remarkable achievements!

We are delighted to feature Mass Communications graduate Kamryne Ayers in our Class of 2026 Senior Spotlight series.

Kamryne utilized her time at the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication to master the worlds of public relations, digital storytelling, and strategic communication. She credits UH’s diverse environment and the professional landscape of Houston for opening key creative and corporate doors during her academic journey.

She expresses her gratitude to Professor Bhat, Professor Vardeman, and Professor Yamasaki, whose guidance and academic rigor helped strengthen her confidence in communications and research strategy.

Kamryne has recently accepted her dream role as a social media coordinator for Houston Community College. Please join us in congratulating Kamryne on this exciting new career milestone!

We are proud to highlight Media Production graduate Olajuwon Akeem Kadeem Cadle in our Class of 2026 Senior Spotlight series.

An aspiring filmmaker, director, producer, and editor from Belize, Olajuwon chose the University of Houston's Valenti School of Communication to perfect his craft in digital cinematography, video editing, and documentary filmmaking. He values the hands-on experience gained directly inside the Valenti studios, utilizing industry-standard technology to build his portfolio.

Olajuwon plans to use the knowledge and skills developed at UH to produce culturally driven content and elevate Belizean storytelling on global platforms, with long-term aspirations for international and Hollywood productions.

Congratulations, Olajuwon! We look forward to seeing your work on the big screen.

We are proud to celebrate Political Science graduate Sydney Thomas in our post-graduation Class of 2026 Senior Spotlight series.

Sydney credits the university's diverse campus culture and supportive academic community for enriching her educational experience. Sydney says University of Houston provided the perfect environment to grow both personally and professionally while studying in a global hub.

With her bachelor's degree officially completed, Sydney is preparing for the next milestone in her professional journey: attending law school to pursue a career as an immigration attorney.

Congratulations, Sydney! We are excited to see the impact you will make in the legal field.

One week ago, the University of Houston's College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences proudly celebrated the Class of 2026 at commencement, and the moment is still sinking in 🎓

To every graduate who walked across that stage: you leave UH with more than a diploma. You carry with you the ability to think critically, communicate with purpose, adapt to complexity, and understand the world around you—skills that matter in every industry and every walk of life.

We are incredibly proud of what you've accomplished and even more excited about what comes next.

Welcome to the Coog alumni family. The world is ready for you.

Go Coogs! 🐾