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What is happening at the College of Public Service
On Tuesday evening, March 1st, the Center for Public Service and Community Research hosted its first annual Commerce Colloquium. This year’s event featured A Superintendent Roundtable and featured Beatriz Ceja Williams, Division Director for the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Division in the Office of Post-Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education. Ms. Ceja-Williams was joined by superintendents from Aldine, Houston, Spring, Spring Branch, and Tomball to discuss issues facing education, specifically in relation to the field of teaching. The entire event was moderated and led by our wonderful Urban Education students. You can watch the video online.
Social Work Persons of the Year
Join us on Thursday, March 24th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., as the Social Work program and the College of Public Service Honor Dr. Peter Hotez and Dr. Marie Elena Bottazzi as UHD's Social Work Persons of the Year.
Learn more about their accomplishments here
College of Public Service
Student Profile
Like many of our UHD students, Cheri Chowdhury has had her share of struggles. At 47, she is a single mother, working as a Crossing Guard, attending UHD full time, and planning to go to law school next year. On the first day of classes in the fall of 2021, her entire family got Covid including her elderly parents. Her dad passed away and her mother came home on oxygen. While her mother is on the mend, they are all dealing with the tremendous loss of her father’s death. “Life is a bit rough right now, but I am hoping to provide a better future for my son and my mother. I am thankful UHD has given me the chance to have a new start and get my education.”
Amid these struggles, Cheri not only has passed her classes but has made the Dean’s list every semester and is the Community Service Officer for Alpha Phi Sigma.
After graduating with her Bachelor’s degree Cheri is planning on attending law school in the fall of 2023. She plans to go to the University of Houston for her J.D., studying Family Law, so she can be a victim advocate helping children. She is thankful for the love and support from her family and loves spending time with her son and caring for her three dogs. Cheri says, “Covid has changed our lives in ways we don't even know yet. I have learned to take things daily instead of planning for weeks or months. This is a slow process. Only time, faith, and understanding will get us through. Cheri Chowdhury is a great example of a student who is Dedicated, Determined, and Downtown.
CPS Faculty & Staff Accomplishments
D. Hsiao-Ming Wang, Professor of Criminal Justice, has been invited to speak at the 3rd Taiwan Studies Biennial Conference in May. His presentation is titled Bayou Connection: A Grass-Roots Program for Academic Partnership between UHD and its Counterparts in Taiwan.
Dr. Diane Miller, Associate Professor of Literacy, presented Gluing the disparate parts: Connecting an academic writing life through transformative peer-to-peer mentorship in collaboration with the Department of Education and Alvin ISD.
Dr. Lizette Burks, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, was asked to co-chair the National Board on Professional Teaching Standards for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusions committee.
Dr. Yu-Han Hung, Assistant Professor of Social Studies Education, will present her work Teaching WWII in Asia: History Education and Historical Reconciliation at the American Educational Research Association in April.
Dr. Karina Rodriguez, Lecturer of Criminal Justice, shared her expertise on the Houston Matters-Encore Houston radio show. You can hear a recording of the segment here.
Cynae Brown, Director presented Exploring Texas Educator Preparation Programs as Partners in District Sustainability at the Texas Alliance of Black School Educators 37th Annual Conference.
Richard Simonds, Coordinator of Assessment Management and Tracking Systems, completed his College Finance Essentials certificate from the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education.
Welcome to the College of Public Service
Spring 2022