UHD / UHD Office of Alumni Relations / Alumni Awards

Alumni Awards

Annual Alumni Awards

Each year, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) proudly recognizes outstanding alumni and members of the UHD community who exemplify excellence, leadership, and commitment to their alma mater. The Annual Alumni Awards celebrate individuals who have made a lasting impact through their professional achievements, community service, and dedication to UHD’s mission.

Award Categories

Each award honors a unique kind of excellence—from professional success to service and innovation.

Golden Gator Award

Honors alumni who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and longstanding commitment to UHD through service, leadership, philanthropy, or advocacy.

Previous Recipients:

2024 Ed Gonzalez, BS '00
2024 Liza Alonzo, BA '02

Distinguished Alumnus Award

The highest honor bestowed upon an alumnus with 10+ years of experience, recognizing individuals who have achieved outstanding professional success and contributed significantly to their industry or society.

Previous recipients:

2024: Laura Dupree, BS '04
2024: Roy L. Jackson Sr., BA '22
2024: Chinaecherem Eze Coleman, BS '21
2023: Jose Antonio Marin, BS '91
2022: The Hon. Paula Mendoza, BS '95, MBA '17

Alum Entrepreneur Award

Recognizes alumni who have shown leadership and success in building or contributing to impactful businesses or ventures.

Previous Recipients:

2024 Krisshundria James, BS '14
2023 Gabriela Smith, MBA '18
2022 Marcus Bowers, BAAS '11

Alum On The Rise Award

Honors alumni within 15 years of graduation who are making meaningful strides in their professions or communities.

Previous recipients:

2024 Aubrey McKenzie Jones, MS '14
2023 Christa Arefieva, M.D., BS '15
2022 Maria del Pilar Montes, MBA '17

Alum Service Award

Recognizes alumni who demonstrate exceptional service to the university, their communities, or society.

Previous Recipients:
2022 Phillip Ellison, BBA '94

Alumni Faculty/Staff Impact Award

Honors a UHD graduate who, as a faculty or staff member, goes above and beyond in service to the university and its students.

Past-Winners

Celebrate the legacy of excellence through our growing list of honorees. Past awardees have made lasting impacts through leadership, service, and innovation.

Chinaecherem Eze Coleman ’21
Distinguished Alumnus Award

She was just 19 years old when she was featured on Fox News as the youngest of her graduating class at UHD. Now at just 22 years old, she has not only established herself as a leader in the field of technology but also founded a nonprofit organization called Shaweh Hour, which is dedicated to empowering young adults to be pacemakers, community leaders, and entrepreneurs while still maintaining a well-balanced mental health. Through this nonprofit, her event staffing agency, and event planning business, she has had the privilege of impacting over 1,000 young adults worldwide across different ethics, cultures, races, and disciplines, fostering personal and professional growth and inspiring them to reach their full potential.

Roy L. Jackson Sr. ’22
Distinguished Alumnus Award

He is a world-class jazz saxophonist and recording artist who has worked with Conrad Johnson, Kyle Turner, Woody Witts Big Band, and the prestigious University of Houston Downtown Civic Jazz Band. As a live and touring musician, Jackson has merged the elements of jazz, soul, funk, and gospel to take listeners on a musical journey that exemplifies every emotional aspect of life. He is a recipient of the Horace Alexander Young Award for Improvisation, the Soloist of the Year Award, and the Duke Ellington Memorial Award for outstanding musicianship and composition. His latest single entitled “Time Change,” featuring Berklee's own David Caceres, was featured on KTSU 90.9 on the “Kyle Turner” morning show.

Laura Dupree ’04 - Distinguished Alumnus

Laura Dupree ’04
Alumn on the Rise

She is a highly trained and credentialed educator who joined Lone Star College-Tomball (LSCT) in fall 2019 and currently serves as Coordinator and Professor of the Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) Program. A published author, Dupree has also received numerous awards, such as a Faculty Excellence Award from NISOD in 2024, Faculty Excellence Award from Lone Star College-Tomball in 2023, Outstanding Student Organization Advisor Award from Lone Star College-North Harris in 2019, and an LSC20|20 Award for her commitment to student success.

Aubrey McKenzie Jones ’14 - Alum On The Rise Award

Dr. Aubrey McKenzie Jones ’14
Alumn on the Rise

Dr. Aubrey McKenzie Jones ’14 She has gone on to earn both her M.S. and PhD in Human Sciences and has collaborated with the Texas Workforce to support students and individuals with disabilities, helping them achieve independence and enhance their well-being. She has also worked across Texas to develop inclusive and equitable training programs in workforce development while utilizing her expertise and passion to start a non-profit organization focused on early childhood development, prenatal education, and family wellness. Currently, Dr. Jones assists students in rural communities by facilitating their access to essential services that fuel their personal growth and success.

Dr. Krisshundria James ’14
Alum Entrepeneur Award

She is the CEO and Founder of Blossom Up, LLC. where she helps teen girls, young ladies, and women blossom and bloom despite the situations or circumstances they may be facing. She has been a transformational speaker for 18 years and has spoken at churches, women’s empowerment events, colleges, research conferences, and more. Dr. James is also an international best-selling author and an Amazon #1 Best Selling Author.

Nominate Alumni

Know someone who exemplifies the spirit of UHD? Nominate them today for a 2025 Alumni Award.

Review the award categories
Prepare details about the nominee’s accomplishments
Complete the online nomination form

Submit Nomination
Deadline: June 13, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Questions? Contact alumni@uhd.edu or call 713-221-8057.

Nomination Timeline

Key dates for the 2025 nomination and selection process:

April 1 – June 13, 2025: Nominations open
July 1 - July 15, 2025: Awardees are notified
October 2025: Alumni Awards Luncheon & Ceremony

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