07
April
2016
|
16:15 PM
America/Chicago

UHD Announces 2016 Commencement Speaker, State Representative Carol Alvarado

UHD-CommencementCarol Alvarado, state representative for Texas' 145th House district, has been selected to deliver the commencement address for the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) undergraduate commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 15 at 11 a.m.

"I look forward to celebrating this important milestone in the lives of our remarkable graduates," said Michael A. Olivas, interim president of UHD. I am equally pleased to welcome State Representative Carol Alvarado as our spring commencement speaker. We believe our graduating seniors and their families will be inspired by her message of dedication, boldness and hard work."

Alvarado serves as Chair of the Urban Affairs Committee, Vice-Chair of the Special Purpose Districts Committee, and a member of the House Rules and Resolutions Committee. Her primary legislative focus has been on economic development, public health, and public education issues. She has championed legislation aimed at strengthening our state's workforce, improving workforce development services, and streamlining Texas' economic incentive programs.

Additionally, Alvarado is an advocate for women's health and has authored numerous bills aimed at improving the health care of our children including legislation that would ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, increase dental and mental health education in public schools, and remove excessive sugary drinks from Texas elementary and middle schools. She also has authored bills that strengthen Texas' pre-kindergarten programs, increase student privacy, and expand access to career and technology education for our students.

Alvarado is currently the principal for CA Consulting. She is a native Houstonian, a longtime resident of Houston's East End and proudly holds a master's degree in business administration and a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Houston.

The University of Houston-Downtown will hold its 60th commencement ceremony at Minute Maid Park on Sunday, May 15, 2016. The procession will begin promptly at 10:15 a.m., followed by the formal ceremony at 11 a.m. For more information, visit UHD Commencement.

Students, family, faculty, alumni and friends can follow commencement activities online, including a live webcast, which can be viewed at UHD Live Commencement beginning May 15.