UHV News

Joe Dahlstrom’s impactful career in libraries across Victoria and the state is now being recognized with an award from the Texas Library Association.

The Texas Library Association recently announced that Dahlstrom, who served as the University of Houston-Victoria Library’s senior director for more than 30 years, will be added to the list of Texas Library Champions.

The University of Houston-Victoria has been recognized across 10 different categories according to Intelligent.com in its latest rankings of programs and universities in the U.S.

As Black History Month approaches, the Victoria Regional History Center is setting up a historical display, and they’d like to add some fresh items to the collection.

The Black History Month display will be on the third-floor landing in the UHV Library within UHV University Commons, 3006 N. Ben Wilson St. The display is free and open to the public.

The University of Houston-Victoria has released the names of undergraduate students who made its Fall 2023 President’s and Dean’s lists. 

Donald Jirkovsky, the director of the University of Houston-Victoria Center for Regional Collaboration, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to regional growth and collaboration in August of last year.

Linda Reed, a University of Houston associate history professor, will take the stage to be the keynote speaker for a speaking event at the University of Houston-Victoria this February.

The University of Houston-Victoria has awarded a fourth set of 10 scholarships to celebrate the university’s 50^th anniversary. The $1,000 scholarships are awarded from the university’s 50^th Anniversary Scholarship throughout the year as part of the UHV 50^th Anniversary celebration.

For Christine Hollinden, founding principal of Hollinden | inbound + strategists, focusing on growth strategies for clients is a major emphasis for her company, so it made sense to grow her own skill sets to offer more in-depth services to her clients.

The University of Houston-Victoria is bringing back the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to help individuals and families in Victoria and Katy who need assistance to prepare and file their federal income tax returns.

During Cobey Wasicek’s senior year at Victoria West High School, he had trouble finding motivation to succeed. Now the University of Houston-Victoria senior is preparing to graduate in May with dreams of one day being in federal law enforcement.

“I struggled as a student and an athlete in high school, but I found a second chance and new opportunities at UHV,” Wasicek said. “UHV is a great place to gain confidence in yourself. That opportunity to grow helped me find a new direction for my life.”

University of Houston-Victoria alumnus Jose Ramirez was recently accepted into The University of Texas Medical Branch Neuroscience doctoral program.

Diane Kliem will be named the 2024 Distinguished Alumna, the university’s highest alumni award, as part of the 2024 Homecoming Alumni Banquet. During the event, Robert Royer, founder and president of Building Brands Marketing, will be named the 2024 Young Alumnus of the Year.

The Black History Month Student Showcase will be held Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. in the UHV University Commons Multi-Purpose Room, 3006 N. Ben Wilson St.

Jaguar Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Five University of Houston-Victoria master’s programs recently were recognized as top online learning options by an academic ranking website, with three of the programs ranked among the top in the nation.

Christie Launius from Kansas State University will take the stage on March 22 to deliver her presentation about Women’s and Gender Studies, “Transformative Education that Changes the World.”

The University of Houston-Victoria will kick off this year's homecoming on March 18. 

Graduation day holds a special place in Justin Gabrysch’s heart. That’s when the Victoria East High School principal gets to see the students he’s encouraged and supported step out and go to college.

The University of Houston-Victoria is inviting astronomers, star-chasers and the community to explore the universe at Universe Night on March 19.

Bob Glenn, University of Houston-Victoria president, has recently chosen to affiliate with the Presidents for Latino Student Success, a national network composed of collegiate presidents who have committed to creating inclusive learning environments where Latino students, and all students, can excel.

Registration has officially opened for students in the Victoria and Crossroads area to attend the University of Houston-Victoria’s Mathematics & Robotics Awareness Day this coming April.

A delegation of staff members and a student from the University of Houston-Victoria attended the Texas Association of Chicanos for Higher Education conference, focusing on empowering Hispanic students to pursue higher education this past February.

As the Ben Wilson Street construction nears completion, the University of Houston-Victoria and the City of Victoria will celebrate with a ribbon cutting that is open to the public.

University of Houston-Victoria alumna Lauren Jones is making strides as a sales executive as she charts out a path to owning her own business one day.

The University of Houston-Victoria awarded 625 degrees to undergraduate and graduate students who completed their coursework during the fall and summer semesters.

The University of Houston-Victoria Trap & Skeet Shooting Club has received another gift of practice ammunition this year from the National Rifle Association Foundation.

Two University of Houston-Victoria student organizations are teaming up to host two therapists who will present on anti-racism, multi-culturalism and the importance of being able to incorporate those values and a person’s racial identity into therapy services.

The University of Houston-Victoria is accepting photo and video submissions from students for the drawing for the last 10 UHV 50th Anniversary Scholarships. Students are encouraged to submit videos and photos showcasing their school spirit in any one of the week’s Spirit Dress days or attending any of the UHV Homecoming events. 

Joann Olson, University of Houston-Victoria associate provost for research and dean of graduate studies, has recently agreed to move into the role of interim provost for the university as the current provost prepares to depart the university for a new role in the summer.

The University of Houston-Victoria recently announced a need to take measures to reduce the university’s operation costs to make up for a budget shortfall in recent years.

Hanna Hattermann, a psychology sophomore and lead writing consultant, not only oversees a team of dedicated consultants, but also serves as a beacon of support and guidance for her fellow students.

Ben Gonzalez loves to take any opportunity to return to the University of Houston-Victoria to speak with and encourage students. In April, the 2012 UHV graduate will share his knowledge and expertise with students and others as part of a business speaking series.

The 2024 Royal Jaguars were crowned during UHV Homecoming.

The ninth annual UHV International Festival will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on April 12.

Constance Filley Johnson looks back fondly on her days at the University of Houston-Victoria, and she hopes the graduating students this semester will share the sentiment.

The University of Houston-Victoria is recognizing three faculty members for their outstanding dedication to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service.

As the City of Victoria celebrates its bicentennial anniversary, the University of Houston-Victoria and Victoria College are partnering to offer a symposium that will look at the history of the South Texas community, from the region’s first inhabitants, all the way to the space race.

The University of Houston-Victoria has awarded its fifth and final set of 10 scholarships to celebrate the university’s 50th anniversary. The $1,000 scholarships are awarded from the university’s 50th Anniversary Scholarship throughout the year as part of the UHV 50th Anniversary celebration. 

More than 160 high school students took part in the 27^th annual Math & Robotics Awareness Day event at the University of Houston-Victoria.

When Teri Moten graduated from the University of Houston-Victoria with a Master of Business Administration in 1996, she didn’t expect the winding path her career would take. Now the Victoria businesswoman is coming to share her story and knowledge with a new generation of business students.

As the University of Houston-Victoria marks the conclusion of its 50th Anniversary, the university is hosting an exhibit in the UHV Library to showcase some of the many little things that make up its rich history.

The University of Houston-Victoria has named Hannah Moss as the 2023 Employee of the Year on Tuesday during the annual UHV Faculty & Staff Recognition Luncheon for her exceptionalism, and unwavering dedication to serving students.

Jason Wollam and Heather Crow were named as the Spring 2024 Outstanding Students in the UHV College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences.

Insights & Expertise Series at UHV Katy: Data Science & Business Analytics will be held on April 30 from 6-7:30 p.m. at UHV Katy

The University of Houston-Victoria has awarded five faculty members with internal grants to support their research endeavors during the upcoming academic year.

UHV has awarded two $10,000 Junior Faculty Summer Research Grants for summer 2024 and three Internal Research Grants of up to $6,000 for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Dipesh Basnet is the Outstanding Graduate Student for the UHV College of Natural & Applied Science for the spring 2024 semester. He will graduate on May 11 with a Master of Science in computer science. The Outstanding Undergraduate Student for the college is Aobo Zhou, a Houston resident and a native of China, who will receive a Bachelor of Science in digital gaming and simulation.

UHV Day, launched in April, is a series of events designed to showcase the possibilities for students’ futures through higher education by visiting high school students not only in the region, but across the state.

Dave Garcia and Alexandra Frenkel were named this semester's Outstanding Students in the UHV College of Business. 

The 11^th annual UHV Student Organization and Leadership Banquet was held Tuesday to recognize the students, advisors, newly chartered organizations and the student leaders in their respective organizations.

Karen Xian Garcia is the Spring 2024 Outstanding Graduate Student for the UHV College of Education & Health Professions. She will graduate on May 11 with a Master of Education in Administration & Supervision with an emphasis on principalship certification. Christen Kraatz of Victoria is the Outstanding Undergraduate Student and will receive a Bachelor of Science in Education with a concentration in early childhood to sixth grade.

Approximately 50 UHV students attended two ceremonies Friday evening to celebrate receiving their UHV class rings. Students are eligible to purchase a class ring after completing at least 60 credit hours toward a degree, and the ring is available for UHV alumni. It was designed by UHV student leaders and features many symbols that students associate with the university. 

Results from the College of Business Bachelor of Business Administration Case Conference have been announced. 

Mark Ward Sr., a University of Houston-Victoria professor of communication, recently took home two top awards in two different fields at a regional communication convention.

While Saidat Ilo was working on her dissertation, she saw how her research into economic growth in Nigeria highlighted how interconnected the economies and economic interests of different nations can be. Now, she has put that insight into a new book.

Nicole Eugene's latest book, “Narratives of Narcolepsy in Everyday Life: Exploring Intricacies of Identity, Sleepiness, and Place,” published in October 2023, offers a unique exploration of the sleep disorder by combining autoethnography, narrative research and health communication research to shine a spotlight on an often-misunderstood condition.

High School Showdown, hosted by the UHV Jaguar eSports Club with the help of event sponsor StudioBuilt by Amherst, welcomed local high school students to compete in epic video game fashion at the University of Houston-Victoria. 

Edward Cruz, a University of Houston-Victoria computer science junior, has recently secured an internship at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

The University of Houston-Victoria has been named one of the most affordable online colleges in the nation, according to a recent online ranking website.

Peggy Wilburn Titt, a 74-year-old graduate from the University of Houston-Victoria, walked the stage to receive her Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing this May inside Faith Family Church, marking a chapter of her life that she has always wanted to see come to fruition.

The University of Houston-Victoria is opening up summer camps registrations, offering a wide range of enriching programs for students of various ages and interests.

From a high school dropout who chose to end her education journey in the 10th grade, Amy Zarate-Chavez was one of the proud Jaguars who walked the stage this past May to receive her master’s degree.

Jiansen Wang, a graduate teaching assistant at Purdue University in the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, is coming to the University of Houston-Victoria to become the first faculty member in the aviation program.

The University of Houston-Victoria has released the names of undergraduate students who made the Spring 2024 President’s and Dean’s lists.

As the summer progresses and students get things in order to start taking classes in the fall, the University of Houston-Victoria is hosting a series of virtual sessions to help transfer students through the admission process.

As students sign up for classes in the upcoming fall semester, the University of Houston-Victoria has created a new program to help undergraduate students take an additional class during the semester.

Keith Akins, a UHV associate professor of criminal justice and director of the undergraduate criminal justice program, was elected as president of the UHV Faculty Senate for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The University of Houston-Victoria awarded 506 degrees to undergraduate and graduate students who completed their coursework during the spring semester.

Bo Walding, the newly elected president of the Student Government Association, is on a mission to bridge the communication gaps between departments and students.

ROAR First-Year Orientation was a comprehensive two-day event held on June 28^th and 29^th that provided students with an immersive experience to explore campus life, while giving them the opportunity to engage with faculty and their peers.

The University of Houston-Victoria Staff Council has exceeded its volunteering hours goal for the 2023-2024 fiscal year by more than 200 percent.

One of Zoen Kuchler’s favorite things to hear as a tutor is, “I didn’t get this concept until you explained it that way.”

Kuchler is a senior at the University of Houston-Victoria who tutors other students in chemistry and Spanish in the UHV Student Success Center. The Inez resident already graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish in May, and he will finish his bachelor’s degree in biology this summer.

When Elizabeth Akanbi first heard about a competitive scholarship and future employment opportunity through the U.S. Department of Defense, she was a little intimidated, but applied anyway. A few months later, Akanbi learned that she had been chosen for the SMART Program.

The Meadows Foundation recently donated $50,000 to the University of Houston-Foundation to support the University of Houston-Victoria Nonprofit Center.

With nearly a decade of service at UHV, communications manager Lauren Emerson was selected to serve as the 2024-2025 Staff Council president, effective Aug. 1.

This weekend, the University of Houston-Victoria is offering incoming and prospective students an opportunity to tie up any loose ends as the start of the fall semester rolls around.

One of Tom Schilb’s favorite things is helping students at the University of Houston-Victoria find creative ways to make unique projects and mentoring others in the process.

Computer science senior Christopher Zuniga is teaching the next generation of coders and engineers through his work as an instructor for the Arduino Camp for Middle Schoolers at the University of Houston-Victoria.

From mid-June through early August, UHV's Shaniqua Easter was part of the Mobilization and Political Economy Summer Research Program held at the University of Pittsburgh.

The Jaguar eSports Club is one of nearly 50 student organizations available on campus. Currently, about 30 of these organizations remain active, spanning a wide range of interests and passions. 

At the age of 16, fueled by the desire to see the world, Adam Thompson made the decision to pursue the idea of coming to America to play soccer on a scholarship.

The University of Houston-Victoria’s Health & Wellness Center has set a completion date of spring 2025, bringing a fully fleshed out recreational center to campus.

A group of 20 faculty members from the University of Houston-Victoria attended a special retreat during the summer to learn and create strategies to create a more engaging and effective curriculum for students in the coming semester.

Ten University of Houston-Victoria faculty members were recently promoted with four receiving tenure and four becoming full professors.

Christa Huff first thought about pursuing a career in school psychology when she graduated with her bachelor’s in psychology in 1991, but life intervened. Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, she now has the chance to take the next step.

The University of Houston-Victoria Small Business Development Center is launching a Spanish-language webinar series all throughout the month of September.

As Michael Meza begins his senior year at the University of Houston-Victoria, he couldn’t help but think of everything he did to reach this pivotal point of his academic career.

The University of Houston-Victoria is bringing back its annual Martín de León Symposium on the Humanities this coming October.

A new scholarship program at the University of Houston-Victoria has just opened another door to make education more accessible to its students.

The University of Houston-Victoria and Victoria College are proud to announce a new partnership that will offer a concurrent nursing program for students in the Victoria region.

Over the past summer, two students from the University of Houston-Victoria not only worked inside a museum but also had the opportunity to put themselves right in the driver’s seat to experience history.

The University of Houston-Victoria is excited to welcome students’ families to the university for its annual Family Weekend celebration, which will feature a variety of activities including receptions, a comedy performance, a carnival and an unveiling.

Eight years ago, when Hsin-Hui Lin heard that a group of students from Taiwan were going to visit the Houston area, she made a point to reach out and invite them to the University of Houston-Victoria at Katy. 

Going into her senior year at the University of Houston-Victoria after transferring from Houston Community College, Amber Sellers is not only working to finish up her final year but is also fast approaching her one-year anniversary as a volunteer firefighter in the Houston area.

The University of Houston-Victoria dedicated a new bronze jaguar statue on campus Friday and unveiled a newly renamed space on campus to honor a family that has supported the university through significant giving and involvement over the last two decades.

The UHV College of Business’s Fall 2024 Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series held on Oct. 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at UHV Katy.

Spooky season is here, and the University of Houston-Victoria is getting ready to celebrate with a haunted hall experience.

Anyone who’s attended a major event at the University of Houston-Victoria in the past year, chances are you’ve seen Mariah Steen leading the charge.

Dia de Muertos Community Celebration will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 5 to 10 p.m.

In an effort to support students’ academic goals and personal growth, the University of Houston-Victoria has started a new initiative during this school year to provide students with skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their college journey.

The University of Houston-Victoria’s Jaguar Esports Club recently received a $5,000 donation from Formosa Plastics Corporation, Texas that will allow the organization to host larger events and recruit more students.

The donation is being used to purchase equipment that the students will use to expand their capacity and capabilities. The new equipment will allow more students to participate in events and make it possible for the club to record and produce digital media that can be used for social media outreach and attract new gaming enthusiasts to join their growing community.

When Jessica Macias graduated from high school, it was a historic moment for her family. Now, the daughter of Mexican immigrants is earning her Specialist in School Psychology at the University of Houston-Victoria, and her story has been featured by a state organization.

As election season reaches its height, the University of Houston-Victoria has begun offering a series of events that help students discuss and learn about many of the issues and information that are being discussed across the nation.

The University of Houston-Victoria will host a celebration for veterans in the community the weekend before Veterans Day.

Building on the success of the inaugural Women’s Entrepreneur Week last year, the University of Houston-Victoria Small Business Development Center, in partnership with multiple universities, is bringing back a series of webinars to empower women business leaders.

Freeman High School,  which now serves as Katy's 10th district high school, was named after the Freeman Family, family members of Lynn Freeman, who served as a faculty member at the University of Houston-Victoria for a decade.

The University of Houston-Victoria recently hosted a conference for the Greater Houston chapter of a cybersecurity professional association at the UHV Katy instructional site.

The University of Houston-Victoria is bringing back International Education Week this November, ushering in a plethora of diverse activities across campus.

The University of Houston-Victoria will host the next speaker in an ongoing humanities series next week to speak on the importance of recognizing exploitation of people with disabilities and how to reexamine how the U.S. treats them.

Death is a subject that many people prefer not to discuss or consider, but a University of Houston-Victoria lecturer plans to share how an awareness of death and the passage of time can play an important role in how people live their lives.

Dr. Yusuke Yahagi, a student at the University of Houston-Victoria, was recently honored by the Ganado Police Department for the impact he has had on his students at Ganado High School, where he serves as a science teacher. 

The University of Houston-Victoria’s Master of Business Administration program recently was ranked as one of the most affordable online programs in the nation.

When Bryan Porche graduated from the University of Houston-Victoria in 2005 with his accounting degree, he soon relocated to San Antonio due to a lack of long-term career opportunities for finance and accounting graduates in Victoria. Now he plans to share how that has changed for today’s students.

Taking memories from her childhood, Ellen Grubbs has used them as inspiration to win first place in this year’s UHV President’s Holiday Card Contest and secure a $1,000 scholarship for her artwork. 

As the fall semester draws to a close and high school seniors begin to consider their options for attending college next year, the University of Houston-Victoria is hosting a Jaguar Day event to offer a chance to see the university in person.

Jaguar Day will be a free come-and-go event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. Check-in for the event will be at UHV University Commons, 3006 N. Ben Wilson St. Students will be able to learn about UHV and tour the campus throughout the day.

Stuart Sherman, the senior director of emergency management for the University of Houston-Victoria, recently graduated from a leadership training course.

Sherman graduated in Class 9 of the Fire Executive Management Training offered by Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. The course is a two-week series of classes that focus on building important knowledge and leadership skills for fire executives and safety professionals.

The University of Houston-Victoria is kicking the season of giving into high gear with the annual Giving Day campaign on Dec. 3.

Mark Ward Sr., a University of Houston-Victoria professor of communication, was recently honored by the Religious Communication Association as its 2024 Scholar of the Year. In giving the award, the organization cited Ward for his extensive body of published work and for “ongoing research, which is instrumental in advancing our field.” 

Jamie Summerlin’s first experience working in higher education was in Alaska. She enjoyed the experience, but knew she would need a master’s degree to move up in a higher education career.

Now, after moving to Victoria and getting a job in the University of Houston-Victoria Institutional Research and Effectiveness office, she is preparing to achieve that goal.

Elifiya Bhimani and Tameka Clarke were chosen as this semester's Outstanding Students for the UHV College of Business.

The University of Houston-Victoria is happy to announce that the fall 2024 commencement ceremonies will be held in Victoria this year after hosting the fall ceremonies in Katy since the early 2000s.

Curtis Schlak has worked in the computer science industry for nearly 30 years. Now, the University of Houston-Victoria graduate student is looking forward to taking a new step and training future generations in the industry.

When University of Houston-Victoria business student Dennis Silva and his colleagues, Bianca Singh, Hillary Sanchez, Jodi Mitchell, Mervin Machuca and Devin Higginbotham assembled in late September, the first thing they established was setting the tone of engagement as a team.

Crystal Esquivel and Gracie McAndrew were named the Fall 2024 Outstanding Undergraduate Students for the College of Liberal Arts & Social Science.

As the holiday season approaches, the University of Houston-Victoria hosted a reception Tuesday evening and presented four awards to individuals and organizations that have made an impact on the university and the community.

About 200 people attended the university’s annual holiday reception, including faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders. The reception is a come-and-go event intended to celebrate the holiday season and acknowledge some of the community members who have made a difference at the university. Attendees enjoyed heavy hors d’oeuvres by Chartwells and a UHV Holiday video.

The University of Houston-Victoria recently was reaccredited through 2034 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The university spent three years preparing its materials for the accreditation review. After the commission’s site visit to UHV’s campus in February, the assessment team had no recommendations for changes.

The University of Houston-Victoria has surpassed its goal of raising $20,000 in 24 hours for this year’s Giving Day campaign held on Dec. 3.