03
August
2022
|
15:11 PM
America/Chicago

Business Alumni Conference Hosted @ Marilyn Davies College of Business

Summary

By Sheryl E. Taylor

The Marilyn Davies College of Business (MDCOB) recently hosted its second annual virtual Alumni Business Conference. The event supports the College’s dedication to providing career-focused continuing education to make UHD alumni valuable contributors to the Houston business community

The conference’s goal is to meet the following four objectives:

  • Provide an opportunity to connect to UHD.
  • Encourage networking among peers, graduates, colleagues, faculty, and staff from MDCOB.
  • Establish on-going professional development and support lifelong learning.
  • Discuss best practices and new industry developments.

With more than 24,000 alumni—the largest college alumni base at the University—the conference invites participants to tap into this network. “Business happens at the cornerstone of networking and professional development,” noted Dr. Carlos Gooden, Executive Director of MDCOB Graduate Business Programs and Chair of the Business Alumni Conference.

The event opened with welcome remarks from Gooden and Dr. Jonathan Davis, MDCOB Acting Dean, followed by a University welcome from UHD’s Office of Alumni Relations.

The conference included the inaugural MDCOB’s Distinguished Alumni Award presented to Lynne Hackedorn (’84), Director of Government Affairs at Taleo Energy, and the Rising Star Award to Ivan Sanchez (’13), President of Houston Millennials.

UHD Alumnus Omar Reid (’93), Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer at Harris Health System, served as the conference’s keynote speaker.

The conference offered four sessions on significant topics today’s business professionals face—cultural intelligence:

  • Leading Diverse Teams
  • Strategic Networking for Early Career Alumni
  • How to Build Generational Wealth
  • Hot Topics: Professional Wisdom on Current Global Themes and Ways to Navigate

“We strongly believe that once a student becomes an alumnus of the Marilyn Davies College of Business, they are always part of our business community,” said Gooden. “As a College, we aim to promote lifelong learning—this is the foundation for any successful business leader. That’s why the Business Alumni Conference exists.”

About the University of Houston-Downtown

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.