PRESIDENT’S LETTER

As I reflect on our work together, I am proud of, and thankful for, our accomplishments this past year. We have made notable progress on multiple interrelated goals within our Strategic Plan: A New Paradigm—our roadmap to becoming a model urban-centered university. Our Institutional Compass’ Four Points of Excellence continue to serve as a directional guide, ensuring we remain on our intended path.

As a university driven by public purpose and committed to meeting the needs of our city, we understand there is reciprocity between our success and the success of the Houston Metroplex. We continue to align programs and curricula with complex urban issues and increase service-learning opportunities that nurture our students while investing in solutions for our local communities.

In this issue of UHD Magazine, we capture the stories that highlight our growth as an anchor institution. Within these pages, you will discover updates on our strategic partnerships, experiential community-based learning, and the combined efforts of our extraordinary students, faculty, staff, alumni, and dedicated supporters to advance our university forward.

This edition showcases faculty excellence and quality cocurricular instruction, including profound lessons for our students that unfold outside of the classroom. You will discover outstanding examples of student, staff, and alumni scholarship, service, and engagement—a representation of UHD’s commitment to student success, elevated visibility, and community impact.

Our progress in enhancing student success, creating dynamic academic environments, sustaining operations, and disseminating impactful knowledge requires financial support from both the private and public sectors. We are thankful for our supporters and proud to report the many gifts and grants provided to us by our funding partners.

As UHD approaches its 50th anniversary, we invite you to join us in our mission to nurture talent, generate knowledge, and drive socioeconomic mobility for a just and sustainable future. Through our combined efforts, the impact of UHD will reach far beyond our time, and ultimately change the trajectories of families, ameliorate conditions in local communities, and contribute to the vitality of our region.

We are the anchor institution for Houston. We are the University of Houston-Downtown.