06
August
2020
|
10:22 AM
America/Chicago

UHD College of Public Service Dean Earns Social Justice Award

Summary

By Mike Emery

Faculty, staff and students at the University of Houston-Downtown’s College of Public Service (CPS) continue to earn honors and awards for their commitment to helping their fellow Houstonians. This week, another member of the College’s community will be recognized for service and scholarship supporting both civil rights and civic engagement.

Dr. Jonathan Schwartz, Dean of the College of Public Service, is being honored during the Society of Counseling Psychology Division 17 Business Meeting. He will receive the esteemed American Psychological Association (APA) Social Justice Award. He is the first faculty member from UHD to earn this honor.

This award recognizes those professionals whose work exemplifies a commitment to effective counseling psychology and to supporting disenfranchised, disempowered, less privileged or oppressed groups.

“I am very honored to receive this award as I have dedicated my career to social justice initiatives, fighting oppression and promoting equity,” Schwartz said.

Despite the pandemic, he will accept this award virtually during the APA Virtual Conference. He has been recognized as the APA previously with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dean Schwartz arrived at UHD in 2019. As a scholar, he has focused research and writing on social justice, men and masculinity and prevention of interpersonal violence. He also previously led an institute focused on advancing community engagement through service learning mainly focused on educational equity. At the University, he has continued to support and promote community and civic engagement in CPS. Among the initiatives he has supported since his arrival are the Lab for Equity in Action, the Financial Coaching and Economic Stability Lab, the Department of Urban Education’s participation in US PREP and the Call Me Mister program, and the formation of an Urban Education Advisory Board.

“I chose to come to UHD because it was the perfect place to continue to pursue my passion for community engagement and social justice with like-minded colleagues,” Schwartz said. “Particularly, in this time in the world, it's important to take a stand for justice and this award is encouraging to continue equity work.”

 

About the University of Houston-Downtown

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.