Alumna Sheretta West Applauds UHD In New Video
By Sheryl E. Taylor
In a video produced specifically for UHD News, Gator Alumna Sheretta M. West tells recent graduates, current students and the administration, faculty and staff to ‘be encouraged.’
The author, visionary, leader, mentor and first lady of The Church Without Walls, is grateful to the University of Houston-Downtown. Family, UHD and a growing church, with her husband Dr. Ralph Douglas West, kept her busy…really busy. After her second son turned two years old, West returned to UHD to finish her degree.
“I’m thankful for UHD ... I didn’t have to wait,” she said. “The classes were so accommodating for a working professional or mom who’s trying to get it done. I just chiseled away a little at a time in finishing my degree. I had young children and a new church that demanded my time.”
After 15 years, West completed a degree in 1998 with a B.B.A. in Computer Information Systems.
West is ministry leader for The Church Without Walls, one church in three locations, encompasses approximately 150,000 square feet of space, 40 acres of land and embraces 20,000 members and 16,443 families. In addition to reaching national audiences through weekly television broadcast and internet streaming, actively supporting work on multiple mission fields both at home and abroad, the Church averages 9,000 in weekly attendance.
She also purveys over 30-plus ministries and founder of Charmingly Pink Breast Cancer Foundation. The 501 (c) 3 is a non-profit charitable organization that supports breast cancer research, education, early detection and life-saving treatments. Through charitable contributions Charmingly Pink has raised more than $450,000.
“We are Gator strong,” West said. “We will emerge from this season with new aspirations and determination. The future is bright. We are trailblazers, innovators who will illuminate a new path to the world.”
Look for more Gator Alumni offering words of encouragement and inspiration in future editions of UHD News.
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.
