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 versity 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

Roy L. Jackson Sr. ’22
Distinguished Alumnus Award

Laura Dupree ’04
Alumn on the Rise

Dr. Aubrey McKenzie Jones ’14
Alumn on the Rise

Dr. Krisshundria James ’14
Alum Entrepeneur Award
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: May 31, 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 – May 31, 2025: Nominations open
- June 9 - June 20, 2025: Selection committee reviews nominees
- July 1 - July 15, 2025: Awardees are notified
- October 2025: Alumni Awards Luncheon & Ceremony