October 20, 2017

Paula Myrick Short, UH senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the University of North Carolina-Greensboro (UNCG) Alumni of Distinction Awards ceremony. The award is presented to an alumna/us who has made significant contributions to the University’s long standing tradition of service at the global, national, state, and/or local levels.

Dr. Short is only the third recipient of the award. She is being honored for her long term impact through her policy work on improving higher education at the state level in Tennessee and Missouri and at the Tennessee Board of Regents, the University of Missouri System and the University of Missouri-Columbia, along with her contributions as University of Houston Provost.

“I am humbled to be recommended by UNCG for the Lifetime Achievement Award” said Dr. Short. “UNCG is an extraordinary institution, part of an outstanding university system, and has formed strong partnerships with other universities, resulting in outstanding research and capable students well-prepared for the workforce.”

The University of North Carolina-Greensboro has been celebrating Alumni of Distinction since 1960. Currently, there are five awards given; the Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor. The recipient's lifelong service or singular achievement must exemplify creative and continuous personal growth and a willingness to embrace our changing world. The award also recognizes outstanding achievement and service to the recipient's profession, community, society or university.

“I am honored that this institution, which was so influential in my undergraduate studies, has chosen to recognize my achievements. I am excited to receive this award surrounded by my friends and family and will always treasure this experience.”

Since her appointment in June 2013 as provost at the University of Houston, Dr. Short has established numerous initiatives focused on student success, timely graduation, and faculty development, including the UH Graduate School, Cougar Chairs Leadership Academy, Foundations of Excellence, the Provost Summer Read Program, Passport for Coogs, the Provost Visiting Scholars Program, UHin4, Houston Guided Pathways to Success, the Global Faculty Development Fund, the Provost’s Prize for Creative Writing, Cub Camp, the Faculty Competitive Salary Initiative, and the Faculty Café. Dr. Short also serves as the Director for the Center for ADVANCING UH Faculty Success, funded by a $3.3 million grant from by the National Science Foundation. Under Dr. Short’s leadership, the Center is addressing gender equity and diversity issues related to moving more women and women of color forward with careers in science, technology, engineering, math, and behavioral science.

In 2009, she was recipient of the Paul A. Elsner International Excellence in Leadership Award in recognition of her multiple accomplishments in improving higher education.  Having published over 105 journal articles, books, book chapters, and technical reports; she also has been recognized for her research contributions with the Jack A. Culbertson Award, given by the University Council for Educational Administration. In 2014, she was named one of the 50 most influential women in Houston.

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