Higher Education Headlines: April 15
By Sheryl E. Taylor
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UH Gets $1 Million Gift From Large Energy Company to Fund New Faculty Positions—The Houston Business Journal
The University of Houston received a $1 million gift from Houston-based ConocoPhillips. The one-time gift will help fund new faculty positions and fellowships in UH’s computer science and mathematics departments, key areas of focus for the university as it doubles down on its data science offerings.
Colleges are Banding Together Digitally to Help Students Succeed. Here’s How.—The Chronicle of Higher Education
Imagine data from millions of students, at dozens of universities, that educators could analyze for sweeping trends but also sift down to the level of each participant in each lesson of every class. Now imagine cross-referencing that information with other stats on those students’ backgrounds and demographics. The resulting insights could elevate teaching and student success to a whole new level.
Texas Tech Agrees to Stop Using Race in Medical School Admissions—Houston Chronicle
Texas Tech Health Sciences Center has agreed to stop using race when considering applicants to its medical school, bowing to pressure as the Trump administration campaigns to curtail the use of affirmative action in education.
A Culture of Caring: Amarillo College’s ‘No Excuses’ Program for Low-income Students has Made it a National Model—The Chronicle of Higher Education
The first time Jordan A. Herrera met Cindy Lopez, the 19-year-old single mother was pushing a stroller, financial-aid documents in hand and a long list of questions on her mind.
Record $2.9 Million Doled Out at Rice Business Plan Competition—The Houston Business Journal
Three days of startups pitching, receiving feedback and editing their business plans. A record $2.9 million in prize money was given to the top teams from the annual Rice University’s Business Plan Competition.
How America’s College-Closure Crisis Leaves Families Devastated—The Chronicle of Higher Education
When colleges shut down, people get hurt. All across the United States, colleges are disappearing.
In Many States, Higher Education Has Been Left Behind Since the Recession—The Chronicle of Higher Education
In 11 states, higher-education appropriations have not recovered at all from the worst years of the Great Recession, according to an annual report released by the association of State Higher Education Executive Officers.
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.
