President's Message: Highlights from the UHS Board of Regents Meeting
Dear UHD Family,
Last week, I had the opportunity to represent UHD at the May 18 University of Houston System Board of Regents meeting. This was my first opportunity to attend a Board meeting since joining the institution in April, and it was a banner day for the University.
One of the highlights was UHD receiving the Regents’ Academic Excellence Award for improving student performance in gateway courses. During that meeting, the Board also approved the state’s first undergraduate degree in data science that will be delivered right here at UHD. Both of these board actions are indicative of our commitment to helping students succeed.
The Board also approved new UHD faculty emeriti and faculty promotions (see the lists below). To the faculty who advanced in rank and those whose dedication to UHD earned emeriti status, I applaud you. Your academic leadership has been essential in helping our Gators finish UHD strong and elevating our institution to greater heights.
UH System Chancellor Dr. Renu Khator and others have expressed to me that UHD is indeed a special place. The Academic Excellence Award, new bachelor’s program and faculty accomplishments are proof of that.
Thank you for making these recent accolades and achievements possible.
Sincerely,
Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz
UHD President
Faculty Emeriti
College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Thomas Lyttle
Jean DeWitt
Deloris Wanguri
College of Sciences &Technology
Jacek Turski
Marilyn Davies College of Business
Gail Evans
Madeline Johnson
Faculty Promotions Approved By The Board:
Marilyn Davies College of Business
Cathy Zishang Liu, Associate Professor
Trevor Hale, Professor
College of Humanities & Social Sciences
David Branham, Professor
Jeffrey Jackson, Professor
Johanna Schmertz, Professor
College of Public Service
Kevin Buckler, Associate Professor (tenure)
Krista Gehring, Associate Professor
Heather Goltz, Associate Professor
College of Sciences & Technology
Gabriela Bowden, Associate Professor
Kendra Mhoon, Associate Professor
Dvijesh Shastri, Associate Professor
Janusz Grebowicz, Professor
Jerry Johnson, Professor
Amy Baird, Associate Pprofessor
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.
