UHD Alumna Encourages Students to Make Dreams Reality in Video Message
University of Houston-Downtown alumna Mariselle Quijano owns seven and operates 27 McDonald’s restaurants, located in Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, Galena Park, League City, Friendswood and Webster. For Quijano, who earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from UHD in 1995, the “golden arches” have provided her with “golden opportunities,” as she has literally learned the business from the ground up.
Running the franchises is a family affair as her parents, Nelly and Dominic, opened their first local restaurant in 1984 in Houston’s East End on Harrisburg Blvd. Her parents saw their daughter’s interest in the business at a very young age and observed her leadership skills; however, the pursuit of a college education was non-negotiable.
“They stressed that you never know what the future can hold and what can happen in life, but when you have a college education, no one can ever take that away from you,” Quijano said.
Quijano sees today’s UHD students as the leaders of the future – and shares some words of inspiration with the Class of 2020 in video produced specifically for UHD News.
“A college degree opens doors, makes you marketable and teaches you how to persevere in any situation,” she said. I want them to know that education is the key to their future and make their dreams become a reality.”
Continue to look for more Gator Alumni offering words of encouragement and inspiration in future editions of UHD News.
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.
