In welcoming the crowd in the Wilhelmina Robertson Cullen Auditorium on Tuesday, Sept. 30, for the State of the University, UHD President Loren J. Blanchard said, “It’s a good day indeed!” And it certainly was with the inspirational news that many of UHD’s aspirations for its future came to fruition over the last year, catapulting the institution closer to its goal as an anchor university for the region.  

Several of the university’s goals that were highlighted in last year’s State of the University address were realized, namely the funding for the new Center for Crime, Urban Research and Education (C-CURE) and the land acquisition necessary for its Campus Master Plan, which was presented to the campus community only last year. 

Samica Knight, morning anchor for ABC13 Houston and a graduate of the University of Houston, brought humor and good-natured teasing about the Cougars vs. the Gators. At one point, she directly addressed University of Houston System’s Chancellor and UH President Renu Khator, who was seated in the audience.  Also in the audience were State Representatives Christina Morales and Armando Walle with Cydonii Miles representing her husband State Senator Borris Miles. 

While Knight provided energy and a little comic relief, the Cadence Piano Quartet, featuring Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts students, provided musical interludes of the highest quality with music by Joaquin Turina and Dvorak.UHD’s own Gatorettes turned up the volume with a dance finale bursting with Gator pride.   

Acquisition of Land Fulfills Campus Master Plan 

The land for UHD’s ambitious Campus Master Plan became a reality with the long-anticipated signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UHD and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) on May 8, 2025. The 11.93 acres of land, some of which is in the middle of UHD’s campus, lie adjacent to and under the existing I-10 highway, which will be decommissioned as part of the North Houston Highway Improvement Project. The acquired land spans from just south of Milam and Girard streets to along the I-10/Providence Street corridor to McKee Street.  

UHD’s Expertise in Criminal Justice Leads to C-CURE 

During the 89th legislative session, UHD also secured $2.6 million in funding for its new Center for Crime, Urban Research and Education (C-CURE) as an exceptional item request, marking the first time in 25 years that a UHD exceptional item request has been funded. 

C-CURE will be the first center of its kind in Houston, aggregating data across multiple law enforcement and criminal justice agencies to support research in urban crime and victimization and to advance policies and strategies to increase community safety. Studies in Criminal Justice play an important role in the history of UHD as the institution’s first four-year undergraduate degree and master’s degree.  

“With the expert guidance of Assistant Professors of Criminal Justice Drs. Fei Yang and Alondra Garza and Assistant Professor of Social Work Dr. Richard Simonds, as well as our UHD alumni Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz, Jr.; Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez; and Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen,” said Blanchard, “we were able to develop a clear vision for this important center—one that is integrated, interdisciplinary, and community focused, ensuring meaningful outcomes for our region and long-term sustainability.” 

“C-CURE is more than an expansion of our niche in Criminal Justice,” continued Blanchard. “It opens the door for increased intercollege collaboration; internships for students in Criminal Justice, data analytics, artificial intelligence, technical writing, and social work; and partnerships with local agencies, including multiple police departments, social services, and nonprofits.”  

UHD is now in the process of hiring the director for C-CURE who will be instrumental in hiring staff and shaping the future of the center. C-CURE will be housed at UHD@1801 Main. 

Financial Stability Applauded 

Blanchard also recognized other monies allocated to UHD during the 89th legislative session.  
“At a time when universities across our state and nation endured funding cuts,” said Blanchard, “UHD’s Comprehensive Regional University Funds and our Institutional Effectiveness funds were restored. And, due to our increase in student credit hours, our base funding increased. With our state funding intact, we have reduced a $12 million structural deficit by 70%. And I assure you, that is NOT coincidental. In addition to implementing a successful legislative agenda, we had to make some difficult financial decisions resulting in $3 million in reductions across every division. While this process was challenging, we did it without compromising student success, without lowering salaries, and without eliminating academic programs.” 

Other aspirations made reality over the previous year include repurposing part of the library space for a modernized testing center and academic support center. A new Gator Resource Center was created for a smoother navigation of essential resources as well as a new, centralized Center for Career and Professional Development with hubs in each of the four colleges and outreach to employers across the region.  

UHD’s Quality Enhancement Plan 

Also, over the last year, the university created a comprehensive plan for its Quality Enhancement Plan entitled “Beyond the Bayou: Transferable Skills for the 21st Century.” Through research and dialogue, the QEP Steering Committee determined four transferable skills for the focus of the QEP: communication, professionalism, technology, and decision-making. After considering four possible implementation proposals, the committee landed on implementing the QEP through an online micro-credential model, allowing students to earn digital badges for each skill to apply to their LinkedIn profiles and resumes.  

Student Success Statistics 

UHD has experienced a 3.4% increase in first-time college students, a 4.6% increase in transfer students, and a 28.4% increase in enrolled graduate students. 

UHD’s commitment to student success extends beyond its Academic Support Center, Gator Resource Center, and financial aid support. “UHD continues to seek out opportunities to increase student access to, and engagement in, high impact practices that we know lead to greater learning outcomes,” said Blanchard. “Whether it is undergraduate research, service learning, study abroad, or internships, the data proves that students engaged in these activities complete their degrees at higher rates and in less time.” 

“As a result of our efforts, we are not only holding steady the high number of students who graduate, but 80% of those graduates also are transitioning immediately into graduate or professional school or acquiring positions in major companies, nonprofits, government agencies, and school districts within a year of graduation.” UHD graduates roughly 3,400 students annually. 

College Rankings 

According to U.S. News and World Report college rankings, UHD remains a Top Performer for Social Mobility among regional universities of the West now at 28th—up from 32nd place just three years ago. Among public universities in its region, UHD has moved up an impressive 13 positions since 2022. Among both public and private regional universities of the West, UHD is now ranked 62nd, a remarkable 26-position gain from its ranking of 88 in 2022.  

Washington Monthly recently ranked UHD 24th out of 585 universities granting master’s degrees in the category of “Best Colleges for Your Tuition—and Tax—Dollars.”  The Washington Monthly also placed UHD in the top 10—at No. 7—in its “Best Bang for the Buck” Colleges in the South.  

Forbes recently ranked UHD’s online International Business Degree program as No. 7 among accredited, nonprofit colleges in the United States. 

To learn more about how UHD is making its aspirations reality, visit UHD’s The Future Is Now webpage.