UHD Hosts Record-Breaking 2026 SHRM Texas Student Conference & Competition

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) and the Marilyn Davies College of Business (MDCOB) proudly hosted the 2026 SHRM Texas Student Conference & Competition on April 10–11, welcoming more than 170 attendees from over 20 schools and 16 competing teams, the highest participation in the event’s history. UHD leadership, including the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost Dr. Deborah E. Bordelon and MDCOB Dean Dr. Jonathan Davis welcomed guests and demonstrated the university’s strong support for student success, experiential learning, and community engagement. 

A major highlight of the event was UHD’s undergraduate team winning the championship and bringing the trophy home again, following its 2024 victory. Reflecting on the experience, members of the undergraduate team shared: “We are so proud of how the team came together. With a tight timeline and through overcoming obstacles, we were able to successfully work together to bring the win back to UHD! We feel humbled and grateful to have been part of this experience and we thank our mentors, coaches and professors who rooted us on throughout.”  Graduate students also captured the spirit of the event, saying, “Every challenge is a chance to grow, and this presentation competition pushed me to do exactly that.” and "In this competition, we found our flow. United by our vision, untied from the outcome. We're ready for the next level because we've already won the experience." 

The success of the event was made possible through the collective efforts of UHD leadership, faculty, staff, SHRM Texas, and community partners. Special recognition is also extended to Tony Rivas, President of SHRM UHD, and Nancy Bond, graduate student at MDCOB, for their important contributions to the event’s success. In particular, we would like to recognize Dr. Chris Zhang, Event Coordinator and Faculty Advisor for SHRM UHD, whose leadership, thoughtful planning, and unwavering dedication were instrumental in making the event a success and in supporting UHD students throughout their competition journey.