UHD Awarded Additional THECB Grant
$112,000 in Funding to Benefit Returning Students Pursuing Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree
By Mark Kramer
Thanks to a $112,000 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) grant, students who have earned an Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree and returning to college are eligible for scholarship funding their Bachelor of Applied Arts & Sciences degree through UHD's University College.
The funds are part of a second round of funding awarded by the THECB’s Reskilling Grant program that seeks to assist returning students seeking their bachelor’s degrees and provide resources to guide them toward advancement in their careers. Students who have earned an AAS degree from an accredited community or technical college will be able to return to school by enrolling in the BAAS in Applied Administration program at UHD.
According to University College Dean Dr. Scott Marzilli, the grant funding will be used to provide $1,500 scholarships for returning students seeking to pursue their BAAS degree in Applied Administration (BAAS-AA).
“This is a great opportunity for students to complete their degree, while also gaining valuable knowledge and skills that lead to professional advancement and opportunities in their careers,” he said.
Dr. Karen Kaser, Director of UHD’s BAAS program, said this grant will be for students for students with any type of AAS degree and pursuing career advancement in any field or discipline.
“We are looking to incentivize those prospective students with AAS degrees who may have been in the workforce for a while and are apprehensive about returning for additional education,” she said. “We also want to encourage those students who are just graduating with their AAS degrees to continue their education by utilizing the maximum number of credits towards the BAAS.”
Kaser said students can transfer and apply up to 78 lower level credits towards the BAAS-AA degree, which includes 36 hours of workforce credits and 42 hours of core curriculum from their previous institution.
“As part of the program, students will gain a greater knowledge and skills in the areas of program planning and evaluation, supervision and leadership, human resources, budgeting, interpersonal communication skills, change management, information systems, and the development of technology for use in organizational processes,” she said. “This degree will provide the skills and knowledge for upward mobility into supervisory and administrative positions.”
For more information on UHD’s BAAS-AA program, visit the website.
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
