Transferable Skills for the 21st Century
UHD’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a five year effort tied to accreditation that
focuses on helping students build four real world skills they can use in any major
and any job.
Our QEP, Beyond the Bayou: Transferable Skills for the 21st Century, emphasizes preparing students with skills that go with them wherever they go—beyond
the classroom, beyond campus, and beyond the bayou.
Discover Beyond the Bayou
Build Your Future with Skills Employers Value
The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a key component of UHD’s reaffirmation process,
but it’s not just about fulfilling a requirement–it’s about asking big questions,
listening closely, and identifying where we can make a real difference.
These modules will help students master important competencies employers are looking
for, including:
- Technology
- Professionalism
- Decision Making
- Communication
These skills are critical for any role and help graduates adapt to an evolving workplace.
Each transferable skill is free of charge, self-paced, and, upon completion, you earn
a microcredential in that skill and a digital badge to add to your LinkedIn profile,
resume, and other digital platforms.
The Four Transferable Skills
The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a key component of UHD’s reaffirmation process,
but it’s not just about fulfilling a requirement–it’s about asking big questions,
listening closely, and identifying where we can make a real difference.
These modules will help students master important competencies employers are looking
for, including:
Our graduates are prepared to exchange information, ideas, facts and perspectives
effectively and ethically with a variety of audiences. Examples include:
- Asking appropriate questions for specific information from supervisors, specialists,
and others
- Employing active listening, persuasion, and influencing skills
Our graduates are prepared to lead in informed and ethical decision-making by accurately
identifying a problem, gathering and analyzing information, considering multiple courses
of action, and evaluating the effectiveness of their chosen path for continued learning
and improvement. Examples include:
- Problem solving, critical thinking, analytical reasoning
- Creativity, collaboration, logical reasoning
Our graduates are prepared to meet all of the discipline-based and ethical standards
of their vocation in serving the interest of humankind. Examples include:
- Maintaining a positive personal brand in alignment with organization and personal
career values
- Demonstrating dependability (e.g., report consistently for work or meetings)
Our graduates are prepared to leverage technologies effectively and ethically to deepen
understanding, enhance efficiency, complete tasks, and accomplish goals. Examples
include:
- Quickly adapting to new or unfamiliar technologies
- Navigating change and being open to learning new technologies
Starting with a Simple Question: What Matters Most?
We asked our campus community what really matters for student learning and success
right now. That kicked off conversations, surveys, committees, and feedback loops
across the university.
Please click the title to open section below:
About SACSCOC Accreditation
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is accredited by the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate and
master’s degrees.
UHD Accreditation
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is accredited by the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate and
master’s degrees.
Office of Institutional Effectiveness
The Office of Institutional Effectiveness at UHD supports continuous improvement by
leading assessment, accreditation, and strategic planning efforts.
Compliance Assist
UHD Compliance Assist is the university’s platform for managing assessment, planning,
and accreditation processes.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions
in the Southern U.S.
University Catalogs
The UHD University Catalogs provide detailed information on academic programs, course
descriptions, degree requirements, policies, and procedures.
University Academic Affairs Policies
University Academic Affairs Policies at UHD provide guidance on academic standards,
curriculum development, faculty responsibilities, and student success initiatives.
Student Achievement
An integral part of the University of Houston-Downtown's (UHD) mission is to enhance
student retention and graduation and the University closely monitors student progress.
Steering Committee, Agenda, and Minutes
| Name |
Role |
| Paul Fulbright |
Faculty Representative, Marilyn Davies College of Business |
| Travis Crone |
Faculty Representative, College of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Dana Smith |
Faculty Representative, College of Public Service |
| Cesar Garza |
Faculty Representative, College of Science and Technology |
| Sam Weehunt |
Library Representative, University Library |
| Dr. David Ryden |
AVP for Programming and Curriculum |
| Dr. Tammis Thomas |
First Year Seminar Director |
| Dr. Poonam Gulati |
Executive Director, Impact Learning Office |
| Dr. Wendy Burns-Ardolino |
Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Dr. Tim Redl |
Department of Mathematics (Co-Chair) |
| Matthew Montemayor |
Director, Planning, Assessment. & Evaluation, Student Success and Student Life |
| Min kyung Lee |
Director, Institutional Data Analytics |
| Michael Connelly |
Assistant Vice President for Advising and Student Progression |
| Dr. Sedef Smith |
Executive Director, Assessment & Accreditation, Institutional Effectiveness |
| Stefany Records |
Business Affairs Representative (Co-Chair) |
| Hayden Bergman |
Marketing and Communication Representative |
| Max Perez |
Student Government Association Representative |
| Derrick Small |
GPSA President |