Recently, UHD’s College of Public Service (CPS) hosted the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Superintendent and his leadership team for a special meeting.

The goal of this meeting was to connect UHD President Loren J. Blanchard and HISD Superintendent Millard House II around each entity’s shared missions related to educational justice and equity.

“We believe our success around the ability to serve the students in Houston is intertwined,” said Dr. Jonathan Schwartz, Dean of CPS. “We hope to partner further and collaborate to better serve the families and students in Houston.”

Representing HISD at the meeting were Jeremy Grant-Skinner, Chief Talent Officer, and Dr. Shawn Bird, Chief Academic Officer. UHD attendees included Blanchard, Schwartz, Dr. Scott Marzilli, Special Assistant to the President, and Dr. Lizette Burks, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership in the Department of Urban Education.

Discussion topics included teacher shortage and opportunities for expanding and developing CPS’ Grow Your Own Program; ways UHD can support some of the feeder patterns in the area while collaborating with HISD; and ways to support CPS culture at HISD. Ultimately, the next step for HISD and CPS is to create a concrete plan for collaboration.

“Our Department of Urban Education in the College of Public Service is already deeply connected to the Houston Independent School District,” said Schwartz. “We are excited to continue to deepen this partnership to train effective teachers, serve the students and families of Houston, and impact educational outcomes of Houston students.”