First Lecture - University of Houston
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College of Education
First Lecture 2022
First Lecture is the UH College of Education's back-to-class tradition, designed to give students, faculty, staff and guests a memorable and motivational first lecture to start the academic year.

First Lecture 2022

Join the UH College of Education for an empowering back-to-school kickoff event with nationally renowned writer and advocate Jose Antonio Vargas, a leading voice for the rights of immigrants. His first book, “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen,” weaves his personal story into a larger conversation about identity. 

  • Friday, Aug. 19, 2022
  • 10:30 a.m. (doors open 10:15 a.m.)
  • Cullen Performance Hall on campus (4300 University Drive, Houston, TX 77004)
  • Free to attend

RSVP now! 

Baratunde Thurston

Keynote Speaker

Born in the Philippines, Jose Antonio Vargas was 12 years old when his mom sent him on a plane to America in August 1993. Four years later, he learned he was undocumented when he tried to apply for a learner’s permit at the California DMV. Vargas went on to have a successful career as a journalist, winning the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting rampage. In 2011, he shared his immigration status in a widely publicized essay in The New York Times Magazine. “Tough as it was, coming out about being gay seemed less daunting than coming out about my legal status,” he wrote. Vargas published his first book, “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen,” in 2018 and his second book, “White Is Not a Country,” is set to be released in 2023. An Emmy-nominated filmmaker and Tony-nominated producer, he founded and runs the nonprofit media advocacy organization Define American. 

Past Speakers

  • Baratunde Thurston

    Baratunde Thurston (2021)

    The Emmy-nominated host and New York Times-bestselling author of “How to Be Black” merged wit and wisdom in his discussions of race, culture and being a good citizen.
  • John Hunter

    John Hunter (2021)

    The inaugural speaker from 2011 returned for the 10-year anniversary of First Lecture. The award winning teacher developed an interactive educational experience for students known as “The World Peace Game.”

  • Christina Ha, Kam Franklin and Bill Santiago (2020)

    Christina Ha, Kam Franklin and Bill Santiago (2020)

    Chef Christina Ha, singer Kam Franklin and comedian Bill Santiago shared insights on COVID-19 and racial disparities.
  • Nic Stone

    Nic Stone (2019)

    Stone, a former teen mentor who earned accolades for her debut novel, “Dear Martin,” addressed racial inequities, identity and representation.

  • Stephanie Rice

    Stephanie Rice (2018)

    Rice, a UH biology graduate who earned fame on NBC’s “The Voice,” shared how education helped her heal when her family disowned her for being gay.

  • Mayor Sylvester Turner

    Sylvester Turner (2017)

    Mayor Turner shared his personal journey, from growing up in Acres Homes – as one of nine kids in a two-bedroom house – to attending UH and Harvard Law School to leading the city.
  • Lateefah Simon

    Lateefah Simon (2017)

    Simon, a former high school dropout and the youngest woman to win a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, inspired with her message of social justice. She leads the Akonadi Foundation in California.