Greetings UHD Colleagues!

Thank you to everyone for all the hard work toward the University of Houston-Downtown’s (UHD) 14,500 Enrollment Challenge. UHD is making great progress toward the 14,500 goal. As of this weekend, UHD is up 5.82 percent in headcount as well as up 3.28 percent in semester credit hours.

Below are the enrollment percent increases for each headcount category:

• First Time In College Students: +11%• Transfer Students: +55% (yes, +55%)• Former Students: +14%• New Graduate Students: +9%• Continuing Graduate Students: +4%

Although these numbers are preliminary and not certified, they are a great indicator of enrollment projections for Fall.

The 14,500 enrollment goal is an example of UHD’s commitment to the Houston Guided Pathways to Success (Houston GPS) initiative. This multi-institutional partnership fosters collaboration among area colleges and universities with the goal of helping students graduate on time with less debt. Additionally, Houston GPS is focused on streamlining the transfer process between local community colleges and universities.

The great work and productive energy throughout the entire campus is resulting in enrollment success for incoming and returning students. Last week, UHD launched the Enrollment Hero Initiative in coordination with the 14,500 Campaign. It is with great pleasure that I announce the inaugural Enrollment Heroes for the week of July 31 to August 3.

The two selected Heroes are Laura Waits, Director of Web and Digital Marketing, and Sherrigo McNeil-Boudreaux, Coordinator of Transfer Articulation. Below are excerpts from the nominations that were submitted on behalf of the Heroes.

“Laura is quick to adjust plans and take on new projects to support enrollment-generating activities. Over the last six months, Laura has adjusted the digital marketing schedule to support new campaigns, and she has personally volunteered to manage many new Facebook campaigns to support Enrollment Management, colleges and departments in their enrollment marketing efforts.”

“Sherrigo has peerlessly represented our team in all aspects of the enrollment process throughout this 14,500 campaign, often rallying us while offering insight in various ways that we could assist more efficiently during this tense time.”

Please take a moment to recongize, and personally thank, Laura and Sherrigo for their hard work, dedication, and contributions toward UHD’s 14,500 Enrollment Challenge.

Both recipients will receive a reserved parking spot in the Girard Street Parking Garage (July 31-August 3) donated by Dr. Juan Sanchez Munoz, President of the University of Houston-Downtown, as well as a care package, T-shirt, and lapel pin from Enrollment Management.

If you are interested in nominating colleagues as future Heroes, please submit the nomination here by noon every Thursday for consideration. As UHD continues to strive to meet the enrollment goal, I encourage everyone to recognize colleagues who are making a great impact toward our institutional goal.

Sincerely,

Daniel Villanueva, Jr.Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management & University Registrar