Taking graduation photos has become a staple of sorts.
The featured, graduationthemed cover photos for the 2025 Houstonian issue came from a series shot by Gauraangi Gupta.
Gupta’s subject permitted the use of his graduation photos, and we are grateful for his cooperation.
WRITERS
Angelina Contreras
Atirikta Kumar
Camryn Alberigo
Mahdiya Bhiwandiwala
Melissa Unlu
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sammy Bates 03 03 03 04 08 10 16 20 22 23
ARTISTS
Gauraangi Gupta
Joshua Braggs
Larsha Flowers
Oscar Herrera
Raphael Fernandez
Sammy Bates
Editor’s Letter
Table of Contents
Contributor Credit
Year in Review
Graduating Four
Caps Off, Coogs Out
Professional Fashion Editorial
Balanced Advice
Connections After College
Graduate Maze
EDITOR’S NOTE
Congratulations, forever Coogs!
Graduating is scary. It’s exciting. It’s bittersweet. This mix of emotions served as our muse for the creative processes behind this 2025 Houstonian issue.
The desired end goal was to curate something nostalgic that doubled as a resourceful tool for the transitional period ahead of you.
We wanted to highlight your last year at the University of Houston, while also preparing you for the years to come as you graduate—and I think we did just that
As you flip through these pages and digest it all, I hope you find yourself feeling proud, comforted, reassured and ready for whatever the future holds.
Best Wishes,
Larsha Flowers | Executive Editor
YEAR IN REVIEW
Written by Atirikta Kumar
Activism on campus continued. Students for Justice in Palestine HTX held a week-long sit-in protest at the Student Center during the second week of classes.
The University continued to maintain its spot in the top 75 public universities in the U.S. However, UH ranked 74 in 2024, according to the 2025 U.S. News & World Report. This was a dip from the school’s jump from 91st to 70th on the list the previous year. Despite the slight slump, President Renu Khator said the University is committed to being a top-50 university.
AUG SEPT
While fall 2024 might’ve been the start of the end of the road for the class of 2025, it marked a special milestone for UH.
Fresh at the start of the academic year, UH welcomed a record-breaking freshman class. More than 6,200 new students enrolled for fall 2024, according to the university. This class was 10% larger than any previously admitted class.
At their first meeting for the school year, the Board of Regents approved a new freshmen housing project. It is estimated to cost approximately $179 million and is expected to be built by Summer 2027.
Looking back, the University of Houston had a mundane yet eventful fall 2024 and spring 2025. As you spring and summer 2025 graduates say goodbye, here is a recap of your last Coog year.
| Photos taken by Raphael Fernandez, Joshua Braggs and Gauraangi Gupta
Toward the end of the month, the Student Government Association was gifted $63,235. The funds from the Houston District Attorney’s office were to relaunch a project to aid and prevent sexual assault on campus. The investment allows students to submit a report without any financial hurdles. Funds to go to sexual assault awareness events, self-defense equipment, CAPs and Equal Opportunity Services, as well.
For a sixth year in a row, UH’s Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship in the C. T. Bauer College of Business was ranked No.1, according to the 2025 Princeton Review rankings.
OCT NOV
A real-life, Coog couple turned Homecoming Royalty. Business finance and marketing senior, Maurice May and business marketing senior, Jada Hill were crowned as King and Queen.
On Nov. 23, The Cougar reported on the suspension of UH’s Kappa Sigma fraternity. The indefinite suspension accompanied an investigation by the dean of students over hazing allegations from spring 2023 and fall 2024.
The UH student centers also celebrated 10 years since its opening with a celebration and time capsule set to open in 2035.
The dining hall staple on campus, Cougar Woods, reopened with a new look after renovations.
JAN FEB MARCH
At the start of a new year and semester, Houston and campus were covered in historic snow. On Jan 21, Houston received 6 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Services.
This once-in-a-generation event converted campus into a winter wonderland.
The second month on campus arrived with caution and fear. After a series of robberies on campus, a student was sexually assaulted in the Welcome Garage.
This led to an outcry from students demanding increased security and concerns for student safety.
In March, there was madness. The Houston Cougars men’s basketball program won its second straight Big 12 championship. The program also made its seventh appearance in the NCAA’s Final Four.
The men’s basketball team clinched a shot at the national title after an epic comeback game against Duke. Unfortunately, they fell to the University of Florida during the final minutes of the Championship.
MARCH APRI
This year, instead of the regularly scheduled Student Government Association election, the 61st administration ceased to exist after failing to pass a new constitution. The election for a 62nd SGA administration will take place in the fall semester.
It’s been a long year! After the trials and tribulations of finals and end-ofyear festivities, you took graduation pictures and prepared to walk the stage. No matter how hard the road got, you didn’t give up, Coog. Congratulations!
GRADUATING FOUR
GRADUATE FORWARD
J’WAN ROBERTS,
Becoming the winningest player in school history with 149 wins is no easy task.
During your time in Houston, you helped create so many winners. Back in the summer of 2019, you wandered into the gym looking for Coach Sampson while he was running a kids’ camp.
In 2025, Coach Sampson will wander into summer workouts, looking for you. From being the new kid to becoming just the fourth Cougar to reach 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, you made the most of your time here.
Your legacy will last long after you’re gone. After six unforgettable years with the program, you will forever be an honorary Houstonian.
HONORARY MENTION
Redshirt Sophomore Guard
Terrance Arceneaux,
During your time in Houston, you endured pain like a few others, from tearing your Achilles to sitting in the locker room with a towel over your head after the national championship loss.
You wished for one more chance to finish the job for Coach Sampson and the seniors, but through it all, you stayed silly, resilient and true to yourself.
I hope your next chapter brings more laughs, few- er tears and a fresh start where both your game and your spirit can truly shine.
SENIOR FORWARD JA’VIER FRANCIS,
Each year of your Houston journey brought growth and a new role. From starting every game as a junior to coming off the bench as a senior, you embraced change even when it was difficult.
You learned to put the team’s needs above your own. There you were, flying high as you delivered a memorable dunk in the National Championship to close your college career.
Goodbye Letters from The Cougar’s Sports Editor Camryn Alberigo
Photos by Oscar Herrera
GRADUATE GUARD L.J. CRYER,
Four-time Big 12 champion is a title you should hold with honor. Your arrival in Houston happened at the perfect time, as you ushered Houston into a new era.
You delivered over 1,000 points in the red and white and offered intangible support to the entirety of the guard group. You learned how to find your voice even through adversity.
GRADUATE GUARD MYLIK WILSON,
Your 3-pointer in Kansas, which sent the game to double overtime, echoed across the nation. Recognition was new to you, but your unwavering work ethic remained constant.
Your road to Houston had many stops. You nearly took an exit, but you are the definition of trusting the process.
Scoring nine points in the national championship game, the second-highest total on the team, is an achievement to be proud of.
Written by Angelina Contreras and
Photographed by Gauraangi Gupta
CLASS OF 2025, GRADUATION IS HERE. NOW
WHAT?
Grads are preparing for everything between career beginnings and international travel.
Three grads sat down with us to reflect on their time at UH and share their post-UH summer plans. They also had some advice for those still figuring out what’s next.
SHAYLA RUSSELL
Leveraging Leadership and Embracing the Unknown
For sociology major Shayla Russell, her time at UH has been characterized by leadership and social advocacy.
Reflecting on her senior year, she highlighted her role as president of the Peace and Humanity Project. This is a social justice and activism organization advocating for marginalized communi-ties.
“I’ve never been in charge of anything before, but I did it. It was a big deal for me, Russell said.
This experience, coupled with her participation in the student safety protest, underscores her evolving confidence and commitment to important issues.
“My biggest accomplishment at UH was helping plan a protest for student safety,” she said. “As someone who is still working on public speaking, [delivering a speech during the protest] was a big deal for me.”
Looking ahead to the summer, Russell’s plans include a strategic blend of career development and personal enrichment through travel.
Due to missing the graduate school application deadline, she’s now focused on gaining practical experience.
“My plan for the summer is to work—hopefully, something related to my field to gain experience,” Russell said. “I want to save money to eventually move away from home too.”
The allure of exploration is also strong.
“I have a trip to New Orleans and then another to Jamacia which I am very excited about,” she shared. “I’m most excited about going to Jamaica because I’ve never been, and I love the beach.”
Despite exciting travel plans, however, Russell was candid about the anxieties accompanying graduation.
“As far as how I feel about this next chapter of my life… I’m terrified,” she admitted. “I have the same fears any other post-grad has ‘Did I pick the right degree?’ ‘Will I get a job?’.”
She added, “I’ve never been the child who said, ‘I can’t wait to grow up’. From a young age, I knew growing up meant responsibilities and I’m not looking forward to [the post-grad] responsibilities.”
Nevertheless, Russell is carrying valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, networking and communication from her UH experience into her next chapter.
MICHELLE HAYES
Embracing a Change of Pace & Family Connections
For Michelle Hayes, a human development major, her memories of UH are tied to simple joys and a sense of community.
“Some of my favorite memories from my time at UH are reading at the fountains or visiting the little thrift festivals,” she said. “I also love my sociology class—ten out of ten.”
Hayes’ summer plans center around family and a much-needed break from the academic rigor.
“Summer, I’ll be traveling a lot,” Hayes shared. “I’ll be heading to our village in Mexico for a little while.”
Interestingly, Hayes expresses a unique form of pre-summer nervousness.
After four years of school, this is the first summer Hayes won’t be taking any summer classes.
“I am honestly more nervous about the fact that I have nothing to study,” she said. “It’ll be odd to just work and have free time.”
Looking ahead, Hayes is taking a valuable lesson about interpersonal connection from her time at UH.
“One thing I am taking with me from my
experience at UH is that the worst thing I can do for my-self is not put myself out there.”
GABRYELA VIGIL
Prioritizing Personal Fulfillment Before Career
Management Information Systems major Gabryela Vigil’s fondest UH memories are the comfort-ing routines of campus life.
“Honestly, some of my favorite memories consist of me going to cougar grounds— getting an iced mango refresher or that iced java chip coffee,” Vigil said. Vigil even went on to recollect nos-talgic times spent in the library’s study carrels.
Vigil’s summer plans prioritize personal enjoyment before beginning her full-time role.
“Have fun first and then work,” she said. “After years of dedicated work to school, I decided to take a small break before I start my full-time job at AWS.”
Her summer is packed with personal goals too. These include traveling, hiking, concerts, apart-ment hunting and so much more.
“I want to be able to have those experiences before going all in on work once again,” Vigil said.
Like her peers, Vigil also anticipates a significant shift in her daily life.
“The one thing I have been thinking about this entire semester is how will it feel like to wake up and not do anything,” she said. “The thought of no homework, no school, no lectures excited me at first, but now it makes me nervous.”
Nonetheless, Vigil is leaving UH with confidence and a growth mindset.
Her growth goals for the next chapter of her life include personal challenges of open-mindedness, adaptability and tenacity.
“To learn, to grow and to try again,” she said.
AND, WHAT ABOUT YOU?
If you’re still feeling a little lost about your own post-grad summer plans, here’s some advice from these Coogs.
Roll with It. You might need to be flexible as plans change, but that’s totally okay.
Take Care of Yourself. Find a balance and enjoy the downtime. You earned it.
It’s Okay to Have Fun.
Make time for the things you love before diving headfirst into your career. You deserve a break.
Think a Little, but Don’t Overthink.
Use this time to think about what you want, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Small steps are still progress.
The summer after graduation is a wild card. It can be super exciting or a little nerve-wracking. It’s even a chance to figure things out while having some new experiences.
These UH grads are proof there is no “right” way to do it. So, take a deep breath, make some plans—or don’t—and get ready for whatever planned or unpredicted adventures come your way.
Written
WORK LIFE
Human beings are habitual creatures who live through constant routine—a repetitive series of days and nights.
Lost in the usual schedules, time off for oneself to recharge is often neglected. However, no matter what stage of life you may be in, taking time for yourself should always be one of your main priorities.
A study of 500 U.S. college students suggests one of the top concerns of soon-to-be graduates entering the job market is work/life balance (21%).
Graduating and advancing in your career is a significant and exciting milestone, but it can also be very overwhelming and anxious.
The need to prove your worth to your new—or old— place of work doesn’t make this any easier, leading to physical and mental burnout.
In the U.S., workers experience some of the highest rates of work burnout globally.
Unrealistic expectations are unhealthy.
Maintaining a healthy work/life balance is highly necessary.
Let’s take a deeper look into what striking a balance could look like for you as you transition to the next phase of your career.
by Mahdiya Bhiwandiwala
LIFE MAY REQUIRE A NEW ROUTINE.
As a newly graduated student, you may need to create a new routine.
This new routine will be based on your work hours now and not your class schedule.
If starting a new job, you may also need to set aside time for training as well as any important social events hosted by the company. These may also include networking events and meetings.
Initially, it may take time to become accustomed to the new schedule.
Eventually, though, it will become easier to recognize what days or times are your busiest.
Knowing this helps with finding slots in your week to allocate for personal time. This could be to hit the gym, spend a day out with a loved one, try a new recipe or go on an
evening stroll.
Over time, learning how to fit in time for meaningful activities is a skill you’ll come to love and master.
YOU’RE NOT ALONE IN THIS TRANSITION.
During this period of change, it is not a bad idea to reach out to someone who you think could help.
Whether it be friends, family, other alumni or colleagues, talk to someone who also knows a thing or two about maintaining a good work/ life balance.
They can guide you on how to do the same for yourself.
And even if your circumstances are different, it won’t hurt to gain someone else’s perspective.
Who knows, their methods of balancing professional and personal
life may still work for you. Nothing beats a try!
YOU DON’T ALWAYS HAVE TO SAY YES. LEARN TO SAY NO.
It is very easy to give in to peer pressure or the fear of missing out (FOMO), but over-commitment leads to over-exhaustion.
Whether it be a colleague wanting to hang out after work hours or the opportunity to work overtime, you don’t have to commit to everything.
Besides, there are always polite ways to decline. Use them to your advantage to focus on you and what makes you the happiest.
As you grow in this chapter, you’ll begin to realize the importance of protecting your peace and doing what makes you content.
LASTLY, LEAVE WORK AT WORK.
Once you clock out for the day, make sure you leave all professional
matters at the office. Your personal and professional lives are meant to stay separate.
When you’re at home, don’t check your work inbox or reply to emails if it is outside of working hours.
Maintaining these boundaries will allow your mind to rest from work-related tasks. Instead, use the time to indulge in your favorite hobbies.
Your professional life is meant to be a part of your life—not the other way around.
Intentionally making the time to do joyful things is key to success.
Happiness is crucial for your daily life as well as your career performance in the long run.
Prioritize what matters the most to you and make the most of your personal time.
CONNECTIONS AFTER COLLEGE
Written by Melissa Unulu | Photo by Larsha Flowers
Over 50 years ago, during World War II, soldiers returning home needed a way to transition back to the world they’d been away from.
They needed peace and security to heal from the war. Similarly, life after college is a transition, and being a member of professional groups after graduation helps.
Involvement at the college level is almost second nature.
After graduating, it may feel as though organizational clubs and involvement are no longer options. This is not actually the case.
Many organizations offer young professionals the opportunity to continue being involved postgraduation
AAF’s Ad 2 and PRSSA’s local chapters, for example, are just two of many providing this kind of peer-based support.
These programs are collaborative environments for passionate and driven professionals who want to make a difference in their local communities and industries.
They encourage professional growth, leadership and professional competence and ethics.
Alongside the professional benefits, members of many of these organizations also get to enjoy various events monthly. These include luncheons, breakfasts, guest speakers and tours.
Through such initiatives, members gain confidence, improved intercommunication skills and long-lasting relationships with like-minded people.
Organizational chapters across the nation cultivate talent. They give young professionals a place to be recognized and to grow.
Disconnection doesn’t have to be a part of the graduation experience.
Adulthood doesn’t mean losing community or becoming disengaged. It’s just another opportunity to find new spaces to grow in.
