UHD Interim President Tillis to Deliver Report to the Community Sept. 24
By Mike Emery
This summer, Antonio D. Tillis, Ph.D. took the reins as the University of Houston-Downtown’s Interim President. The veteran educator and administrator arrived at UHD as the institution continued to adapt to the challenges of COVD-19. Under his leadership, UHD successfully started the fall semester, helping countless Houstonians realize their dreams of earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
This week, Tillis will deliver his first President’s Report to the Community addressing UHD’s resilience in the face of an ongoing pandemic, its recent successes, enrollment and the journeys that lie ahead for Houston’s second largest university.
The UHD President’s Report to the Community will be presented at 2 p.m., Sept. 24 on the University’s official Facebook page. Hosting the event will be longtime university collaborator, former journalist and Vice President for ABC13 Community Relations Cynthia Cisneros. The event is available for all to view with or without a Facebook account.
The event also will feature remarks by University leaders, including Dr. Eric Carl Link, Senior Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs and Provost; Faculty Senate President and Professor of Educational Research Dr. Ron Beebe; Staff Council President and Accounting Assistant Bobbi Shaw; Student Government Association President Alan Modrow; and UHD Alumni Association Chair Laolu Davies-Yemitan.
“I look forward to offering some insights on what’s been an unprecedented … challenging … yet successful year for the University of Houston-Downtown,” Tillis said. “In a short time, I have discovered what ‘Gator Grit’ means and I am honored to serve this institution as its Interim President. This upcoming event will serve as a time to reflect on the hard work and determination of all Gators … faculty, staff, students and alumni … and to look ahead toward new horizons for our university.”
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.
