Brandon Jenkins, a recent graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown’s (UHD) Master’s in Educational Leadership program, is already making an impact in the classroom and beyond. As a first-year teacher, Brandon enrolled in UHD’s inaugural leadership cohort to strengthen his skills and prepare for long-term career development in education.
“I’ve always known I was meant to be an educator,” he said. “I wanted to become not just an exceptional teacher, but also a leader within the field.”
Choosing UHD was a natural next step for Brandon, who also earned his undergraduate degree here. He describes the College of Public Service as a family and credits the program’s supportive faculty and tight-knit cohort with helping him grow both professionally and personally.
“The professors truly care about your success,” he shared. “One of my mentors saw potential in me early on and pushed me to keep going.”
While balancing his first teaching role and graduate studies, Brandon led campus initiatives, facilitated professional development, and worked on projects supporting English learners at his 98% Hispanic school. One standout project helped him design a strategy to assist bilingual students with oral language development, preparing them for TELPAS assessments.
Beyond the classroom, Brandon is a fellow with Trust Texas, advocating for teacher equity and educational policy reform. His work has taken him to Austin and Washington, D.C., where he meets with lawmakers to discuss teacher pay and support. He also shares his journey on social media, building a supportive online community for educators.
“Education needs strong leaders,” he said. “This program gave me the foundation to become one.”
His advice for future applicants? “Go for it. UHD truly wants to see you succeed. You’re not alone here.”
The Master’s in Educational Leadership program at UHD is currently accepting applications through July 31, 2025. Learn more and apply today by clicking here .