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UH in the Community

Event Highlights text in front of Cougar mascots, Shasta and Sasha, and Sara Donatto, the Office of Government and Community Relations Executive Director of Operations and Local Relations

Event Highlights

Events

  • 3rd Annual Freedom Run Walk & Health Fair

    3RD ANNUAL FREEDOM RUN/WALK & HEALTH FAIR

    On June 7, 2025, over 500 participants gathered at Emancipation Park for the 3rd Annual Freedom Run/Walk & Health Fair, celebrating wellness, movement, and community. The event featured a walk/run, health resources, fitness demos, and opportunities to connect, as well as including services provided by the UH Clinic and a mobile hearing unit offering on-site screenings. Proceeds supported “Healthy Communities” initiatives, including weekly fitness programs. This growing tradition continues to inspire a stronger, healthier Houston through collective action and joyful participation.

  • FREE WEDNESDAY LUNCH

    In Spring 2025, the Office of Government and Community Relations hosted a Free Wednesday Lunch at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center, offering 267 students a warm meal, community connection, and the chance to win exclusive UH merchandise. Held on April 23rd from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, the event welcomed students from across campus to gather, share food, and build friendships in a welcoming and inclusive environment, showcasing UH’s ongoing commitment to student well-being and campus unity.

     

  • 2025 UH DAY AT THE CAPITOL

    UH Day at the Capitol provided an opportunity to engage directly with state legislators, highlighting UH's legislative priorities and celebrating its contributions to the state. Throughout the day, students, faculty, staff, and alumni met with lawmakers to discuss key initiatives aimed at driving the University of Houston forward, underscoring UH's commitment to innovation and student success.

  • 2025 RODEO PARADE

    The University of Houston made a vibrant appearance at the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade, led by the UH band. UH’s participation highlighted the university’s Texas pride and strengthened its community connections, engaging parade-goers and celebrating Houston’s rich cultural heritage.

  • 2024 BIG XII CONFERENCE

    In 2024, the University of Houston hosted the Big XII Conference, marking an important milestone for UH in collegiate athletics. The conference brought together fans, athletes, and leaders across the Big XII network, showcasing UH’s excellence in both academics and athletics while strengthening its regional and national presence.

  • 2024 UH HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION

    The Houston Public Library Foundation (HPLF) supports the Houston Public Library by funding programs that promote literacy, digital access, and lifelong learning. Serving over 400,000 Houstonians annually, HPLF bridges funding gaps to enhance the library's impact on social inclusion, civic engagement, and community empowerment, making Houston’s libraries accessible to all. Jason Smith, a board member of HPLF, also serves as the Vice Chancellor and Vice President of the Office of Government and Community Relations, further strengthening the foundation’s commitment to community engagement and advocacy.

  • UNFORGETTABLE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE 2024

    The Unforgettable Holiday Experience is a unique initiative aimed at providing 11th-grade students in East Harris County with enriching opportunities. This program includes a college tour, money management class, and more!

  • Community Resilience

    COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

    In response to Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, the University of Houston partnered with H-E-B, the Houston Food Bank, and Boynton Chapel Methodist Church to provide food and water to over 200+ impacted residents. Despite widespread power outages, UH volunteers, including students, faculty, and staff, stepped up to support the community, demonstrating UH’s strong commitment to service during times of crisis.

  • Four women stand together smiling in a brightly lit room with plants and a projection screen in the background displaying the University of Houston logo. Three of the women wear red and white outfits, while the fourth, who stands in the center, wears a black dress with a bold red floral pattern and a name tag. The setting appears to be a professional or academic event, likely a symposium or conference focused on community engagement and experiential learning. The atmosphere is friendly and professional.

    SYMPOSIUM ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

    The second annual Symposium on Community Engagement and Experiential Learning took on February 2, 2024, at the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion in the M.D. Anderson Library. Co-sponsored by the Cougar Initiative to Engage and Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement, the event invited UH faculty and staff to submit proposals for presentations on experiential learning, community engagement, or community-based research. 

  • An elderly person wearing a mask, glasses, a black hat, and patterned shirt waves while stepping off a bright red University of Houston bus. The side of the bus features a large "UH" logo and a wheelchair accessibility sign. A woman in a red shirt stands inside the bus near the driver’s seat. The setting appears to be a neighborhood street lined with houses. The moment captures a cheerful and community-focused initiative, likely involving transportation support for civic engagement such as voting.

    THIRD WARD RIDE TO THE POLLS

    In November 2023, UH partnered with Boynton Methodist Church to increase voter accessibility by providing transportation for Third Ward residents to the campus polling location at the Student Center. This initiative aimed to ensure that community members could easily reach the polls and participate in the democratic process. 

  • A group of nine adults poses in formal attire in front of dark blue stage curtains at what appears to be a gala or evening event. The group consists of both men and women dressed in elegant gowns, cocktail dresses, suits, and ties. Some individuals hold small clutches or purses, and all are smiling warmly. The ambiance suggests a celebratory or professional occasion, such as an awards night or community recognition event.

    AMMA GALA

    On October 14, 2023, AAMA hosted its annual Illumine Gala at The Ballroom at Bayou Place in Houston, celebrating the achievements of students at the Work & Learn Center and unveiling plans for a new building on the city’s north side. The event brought together community members, sponsors, and advocates to support education, skill-building, and empowerment for learners of all ages. With a mission to expand opportunities and uplift future leaders, the gala served as a powerful call to action, inviting the Houston community to invest in brighter futures through generous sponsorship and support.

  • A group of people stands in line at a buffet table draped with a red University of Houston tablecloth, selecting food items. The event takes place in a community center or cafeteria with yellow walls and wooden floors. Attendees include a mix of older adults, one using a walker, and others in casual or semi-formal attire. A few people are seated at round tables in the foreground. The setting suggests a casual, university-sponsored community gathering or meal event, possibly aimed at outreach or engagement.

    SPONSORED CAFÉ CON LA POLICIA

    The Café con la Policía event was held on Friday, September 27, from 9:30 to 11:00 AM at the Hobby Area District office in Houston, TX. This community event gave attendees the opportunity to build relationships with Houston police officers and fellow neighbors. Participants learned how to safely report crimes, gained insight into how local government operates, and explored how the City of Houston functions. The event was designed as a valuable opportunity to strengthen community ties and improve neighborhood safety and communication.

  • Three women and one young girl are participating in an activity at a school hallway event. Two women in red shirts, representing the University of Houston, assist a seated woman with a pink headband who is smiling while helping a young girl. The girl is seated and receiving a vision screening or similar health check. A red table in front of them is covered with informational flyers, a sign-up sheet, medical supplies, and a box of masks. The setting appears to be a community outreach or back-to-school health fair held indoors near classroom doors.

    NAVARRO MIDDLE SCHOOL BACK TO SCHOOL SHOE DRIVE

    Navarro’s Back to School Shoe Drive took place on August 19th, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., providing free shoes to all attending students through a partnership with Pneuma Church. The event welcomed organizations, businesses, and individuals to host tables, share information, offer services, or run workshops. In addition to distributing shoes, the event aimed to support families with backpacks, school supplies, vaccines, and dental and vision exams to help prepare students for the new school year.

  • 25TH ANNUAL MORALES FOUNDATION BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE

    The University of Houston partnered with the Morales Foundation for the 25th Annual Back to School Supply Drive, benefiting 2,500 K-12 students and their families. Through this collaboration, UH volunteers distributed about 3,000 essential school supplies, helping students prepare for a successful academic year.

  • Three women stand side by side smiling and holding up clear backpacks filled with school supplies, including notebooks, folders, and pencil cases. They are wearing matching red polo shirts with University of Houston logos and name tags, indicating they are volunteers. The background features a textured, frosted glass wall. The atmosphere appears cheerful and welcoming, suggesting participation in a community back-to-school event.

    UH CLINIC BACK TO SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY

    The UH Health Family Care Center, in collaboration with Boynton Chapel Methodist Church, hosted its inaugural Back to School Block Party on August 12, 2023, to support families in Houston’s Third Ward. The event featured free backpacks, school supplies, food, music, and health services including vaccines and physicals, provided by the Fertitta Family College of Medicine staff and students. Held at the UH Health Family Care Center, the event drew around 350 attendees, distributed 250 backpacks, conducted approximately 120 health screenings, and connected families with valuable local resources to ensure a strong start to the school year.

  • MAYOR'S BACK TO SCHOOL FEST

    The Mayor’s Back to School Fest Presented by Shell supports economically disadvantaged Houston-area elementary students and families with 25,000 backpacks filled with school supplies. The event also offers on-site health services, including dental screenings and sealants, vision screenings, and routine immunizations. Additionally, UH sends representatives from 14 departments and colleges to provide essential services, while community agencies connect families to vital health and social resources.

  • A large group of volunteers stands around a long metal table in a warehouse-like setting, preparing for an organized activity. The table is covered with stacks of colorful paper, string-bound packets, and other materials. Most volunteers wear casual clothing, with some in matching yellow or white shirts. At the far end of the room, two people in blue shirts appear to be giving instructions to the group. The room is brightly lit with fluorescent lights, and boxes and supplies are stacked along the walls. The environment suggests a community service or group assembly event.

    BACKPACK ASSEMBLY FOR MAYORS BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT

    In preparation for the Mayor’s Back to School Fest, UH volunteers partnered with the Houston Food Bank on July 28th, 2023, to help assemble 20,000 backpacks for students. This collaborative effort aimed to ensure that children across the community started the school year with the tools they need to succeed.

  • 75TH ANNUAL H-E-B THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

    The City of Houston will jumpstart the holiday season with Houstonians’ favorite tradition, the 75th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade. Nine-time gold medalist, Carl Lewis, will lead the 2024 parade through downtown on Thursday, November 28th starting at 9 a.m. to honor Houstonians who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

  • JOLLY HOLLY PARTY

    UH hosted its first Jolly Holiday Party with the Fertitta College of Medicine, bringing holiday cheer to Houston’s Third and Second Wards. The event featured gift and meal kit distributions, music, games, flu shots, and photos with Santa, supported by UH volunteers. Through this initiative, UH provided 500 toys, 250 meal kits, and 500 books, celebrating the season and strengthening community ties.

  • MARCH OF DIMES - MARCH FOR BABIES WALK

    UH proudly served as the on-campus sponsor and fundraiser for the 2023 March of Dimes - March for Babies Walk. The event rallied over 5,000 participants in support of maternal and infant health, with UH-led fundraising efforts raising $23,190 to aid March of Dimes’ mission. This impactful event exemplified UH’s commitment to social responsibility and community health.

  • GOVERNMENT INAUGURATION

    As part of its commitment to civic engagement, the University of Houston participated in recent government inauguration ceremonies. UH’s presence emphasized the university’s dedication to public service, government relations, and supporting leaders who advocate for education, community development, and progress in Houston and beyond.