New UHD Alumni Billboards Have Arrived
Five Gators Join UHD’s Alumni Campaign
By Sheryl E. Taylor
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new-normal from social distancing to self-quarantines, but UHD Gator Alumni are offering a bit of inspiration along the now-quiet freeways of Houston.
Early this spring, the final leg of the University’s 2019-2020 Alumni Campaign, which debuted last fall, introduces five new Gators this spring.
Phebe Chen, Radiologist, West Houston Radiology
Shelly Power, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Ballet
Devon Still, Author & Top Resiliency Expert
Issac Valdez, Clinical Program Manager, MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center
Sheretta West, First Lady, Church Without Walls
In addition to the billboards, the campaign also includes videos, webpages, feature stories, social media and photography. The campaign also further affirmed the overall impact of the University to the region thanks to more than 50,000 alumni. According to a recent economic impact study, it was determined that UHD alumni contribute $1.8 million in added income to the region.
The first cohort of Gators alums who were featured in the inaugural campaign included:
Marcus Bowers, Co-Founder, She’s Happy Hair
Ed Gonzalez, Sheriff, Harris County
Ruby Muñoz Dang, Partner, Garcia Hamilton & Associates, L.P.
Jay Norcross, President, Kewit Oil, Gas & Chemical Engineering
Alan Rosen, Constable, Harris County Precinct 1
Mariselle Quijano, Franchise Owner/Operator, McDonald's Restaurants
Julie Voss, Executive Director, Susan G. Komen® Houston
“This campaign has been a great success in showcasing our incredible alumni and the wonderful things they are achieving out in the world,” said Dr. Liza Alonzo ('02), director of Alumni Relations, UHD Advancement. “We are celebrating our alumni by telling their stories of how UHD helped make their professional goals a reality. As a proud Gator, I join my fellow alumni as a testimony of the greatness of our alma mater.”
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.