06
June
2022
|
09:08 AM
America/Chicago

Getting To Know UHD’s Gator Success Center

Summary

By Raven Ambers

jason holidayThe University of Houston-Downtown offers a variety of programs and services designed to help students maximize their success while attending school, including the Gator Success Center (GSC), which focuses on helping students navigate the sometimes murky waters of higher education.

Recently, UHD News spoke with Jason Holiday, Associate Executive Director of UHD's Gator Success Center, to learn more about the services it offers Gator students. 

UHD News: What is the Gator Success Center and what role does it play in helping students with their academic journey? 

Holiday: The Gator Success Center is a hub that hosts various programs, workshops, and events that specialize in helping our students – particularly those students who come to UHD for the first time (First Time In College [FTIC] students). We target freshmen and sophomores, but we have a vast array of events that can help all students at the University with goal setting, time management, career guidance, and more. The GSC wants to help students acclimate to the University and attain the skills necessary to be academically successful in the classroom. Our success coaches help students sharpen their skills, such as developing good study habits and communicating effectively with their professors.

UHD News: What kind of academic challenges do students face in the Summer semester in particular? 

Holiday: During the Summer, courses are typically condensed, so students are faced with learning a lot of information in a shorter amount of time. Because of this, they sometimes have challenges balancing their time and completing assignments on deadline.

UHD News: What success tips do you have for students enrolled or considering enrolling in summer classes? 

Holiday: Be flexible and open-minded. Get connected with resources available to you – like the Gator Success Center. Our advisors can give students tips for studying effectively and setting up goals for the Summer. Getting connected with campus resources can help you remain successful not only in the Summer but in the long run as well.

UHD News: What is the benefit of taking Summer classes? 

Holiday: Summer classes are a huge help to many of our students. They allow students to catch up on course credits or get ahead.

UHD News: What else do Gators need to know about the Gator Success Center? 

Holiday: We have amazing staff members who have a lot of knowledge about the University and academic success – including alums of this institution. 

The Gator Success Center is looking for sophomore and graduate peer mentors who can help incoming students get acclimated to the University in Fall 2022. Students interested in becoming peer mentors can apply online. For questions about the application process, contact Jason Holiday at 713-226-5209 or holidayj@uhd.edu.

The Gator Success Center is open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is located in One Main Building, Room N310.

Follow the Gator Success Center on Instagram and Twitter.

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.