University of Houston Downtown

Mission

The University of Houston-Downtown is a comprehensive four-year university offering bachelor's and selected master's degree programs and providing strong academic and career preparation as well as life-long learning opportunities. Located in the heart of the city, the University reflects the diversity of the Greater Houston Area, and through its academic programs, engages with the community to address the needs and advance the development of the region. UHD is an inclusive community dedicated to integrating teaching, service and scholarly research to develop students' talents and prepare them for success in a dynamic global society.

The University of Houston-Downtown will be a premier city university engaging every student in high-impact educational experiences and ensuring that students graduate with 21st century skills.

Core Values and Volunteer Efforts

Center for Community Engagement & Service-Learning

Community engagement describes the collaboration between the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) and its larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.

The purpose of UHD's community engagement is the partnership of knowledge and resources with the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.

Center for Critical Race Studies (CCRS)

The Center for Critical Race Studies (CCRS) at University of Houston-Downtown produces knowledge to transform lives and work towards social justice. The CCRS serves students, the institution, and the community through teaching, research, the facilitation of public discourse, and the cultivation of social empowerment. Its ultimate mission is to produce scholars/citizens who are equipped to critically, actively and effectively engage the issues confronting the diverse communities and cultures that comprise our students, our region and our nation. Vibrant and effective centers committed to the study of race are essential components of any comprehensive university, and that is especially true for UHD, a Hispanic-Serving and Minority-Serving Institution that reflects the diverse population of the city at large.

Center for Public Service & Family Strengths (CPSFS)

The mission of CPSFS is to promote public service, family strengths, and civic engagement at UHD, to build partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, and public and private agencies and corporations.

The center enhances the educational experiences and promotes the quality of life of UHD students, PK-12 students, teachers, and members of the Houston community. This is achieved through collaborations, research studies, publication of an academic journal, programs that reinforce academic learning and civic values among students, foster ethnic and racial harmony, strengthen families, advocate for underrepresented individuals and families, and facilitate the dissemination of best family-centered practices.

UHD Big Read

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has selected UHD as the only institution in Houston and one of three in Texas to receive the Big Read grant.