University of Houston Division of Student Affairs - 2021–2022 Annual Report

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion are integral values within the Division of Student Affairs, reflecting the UH campus culture of being a sanctuary of learning for all races, genders, sexual preferences, cultures and identities.

Our mission is to foster an inclusive university community by providing services, programs, and support that will engage, empower, and educate our highly diverse student population and campus partners.

Center for Diversity and Inclusion’s #IAMUH T-Shirt Swap Collects 550 for Star of Hope

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) held its #IAMUH T-Shirt Swap during the Weeks of Welcome in FY22. Community members brought in their old t-shirts to be donated in exchange for an #IAMUH shirt. The #IAMUH is a campaign that highlights and celebrates the many diversities and unique stories that can be found within the University of Houston community. UH believes that diversity is one of the university’s strengths, #IAMUH hashtag was created to embrace and highlight the multiple diversities within our institution. Over 500 shirts were donated to the Star of Hope, a non-profit organization that supports those without homes in the Houston community. The organization also provides programming and services related to education, employment, spiritual growth, life management, and substance abuse recovery.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to give back to the Houston community in this small way,” said Varselles Cummings, director for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion during the event. The t-shirt swap was held August 23 to August 24, 2021. Michael Crook, the current Interim Director, Center for Diversity and Inclusion shares the same sentiment and stated, “I am committed to helping the department have a smooth transition while working my hardest to advance and elevate the valuable work that has been done in the division and across the UH campus.”

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion engages, empowers, and educates the highly diverse student population at the University of Houston by providing workshops, programs, student leadership opportunities, and brave space environments to promote cross-cultural communication and culturally responsive practices that help diverse communities connect. The cultural competencies gained through CDI’s programs facilitate a learning environment where UH constituents are better equipped to understand multiple perspectives, practices, and promote a culture of inclusion.

Houston Chapter of the “Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education” (TACHE) is making a difference

In early November 2021, the University of Houston (UH) staff, faculty, alumni, and graduate students formalized the Houston chapter of Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE). The chapter was created as an affinity space for emerging leaders in the Houston Chicano community focused on career development. The TACHE organization’s leaders subsequently developed the Career and Leadership Development Institute (CLDI) which selected 12 outstanding individuals to join their 2022 cohort. The CLDI offered participants an opportunity to build personal relationships with other industry experts. TACHE is also dedicated to helping Chicanos promote their history and culture for educational and public information purposes.
TACHE (Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education)

TACHE’s mission is committed to helping improve educational and employment opportunities for Chicanos in higher education. In addition, their purpose is to provide state, regional, and local forums for Chicanos to discuss relatable issues and to collaborate with institutions of higher learning to create workable solutions for them. As educational advocates, TACHE’s goals are to articulate Chicano's problems, needs, and issues, while providing networking opportunities to actively engage constituents. TACHE is confident that building networks to help change laws and policies that are detrimental to their communities is critical to their success. The organization maintains that establishing effective institutional programs and communication channels to recruit and retain Chicano students, faculty, and administrators in higher education is pivotal to improving their career opportunities. “As an advocate for UH’s renewal of the TACHE Institution Membership in 2019, I remain a proud supporter of the TACHE organization and its dedicated leadership as they continue to advance TACHE’s mission”, said Monica Thompson, Interim Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs.

The Houston chapter of TACHE has made so many accomplishments since its inception. The brief time the chapter was formed in November 2021, it quickly gained approval by March 2022. By the Spring of 2022, the chapter had already held 3 monthly general meetings and an end-of-the-semester celebration. Also, in the summer of that same year, then conference chair Adalia Espinosa hosted a “Summer Meet and Retreat” at the University of Houston as a planning meeting to host the upcoming 2023 Annual Conference. This resulted in 10 members of the University of Houston’s team attending the Gulf Coast Region Summer Professional Development Day at Lonestar College in Kingwood. Espinosa presented “Vulnerable Leadership” Unpacking the Inner Battle for Latinx Higher Educational Professionals and Emerging Leaders to over 100 participants.

President-Elect, Adalia Espinosa (she/her) said, “It is an honor to represent the University of Houston (UH) at a TACHE organization. TACHE has made a huge mark in the state of Texas by providing Latinx-related professional development, advocacy, and opportunities. Now I plan to continue the progressive work we have started, and I am extremely excited to host it in the city of Houston.” She also stated, “Maria Honey was also one of the many staff members who played an integral role in launching the Houston chapter.” Thompson states, “Adalia is a brilliant talent, and I am grateful for Adalia’s leadership roles within TACHE. I also admire her passion to serve as a mentor to our graduate students and young professionals."

The chapter elected Espinosa as TACHE President-Elect and 2023 Conference Chair for the TACHE state association. Esmeralda Valdez was named CLDI Director after her successful management of the Leadership Institute. Other members, Lladira Aguilar and Brian Moreno were selected as fellows for the 2022 CLDI Leadership Institute in Fort Worth. Thompson stated, “In addition to the educational and career development opportunities, TACHE offers leadership opportunities to help its members sharpen their skills which also compliments their work to lift Latinx-related topics and advocacy. UH is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and has a TACHE institutional-level membership. It demonstrates UH’s commitment to serving our Hispanic student population and supporting our faculty and staff."

The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) sponsored the TACHE organization’s 2022 conference at the gold level. The DSA is also committed to helping TACHE reach students seeking to improve their potential in both their educational and career goals. University Career Services (UCS) staff members presented at the TACHE conference which included Cynthia Olmedo, Donah Justice, and Dawnelle Prince, and their topic focused on “Career Guidance for Immigrant College Students.” The presentation also gave detailed insights on best practices, testimonials, and career guidance for higher education advocates who support helping undocumented individuals at their respective campuses.

Pride on Campus Spilling over into our Community
UH Staff, alumni, and students recognized at this year’s Houston Pride 365 LGBTQA+ Celebration

The Houston Pride 365 event was reignited after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The event had adopted the theme “The Beat Goes On” which was a perfect message for the LGBTQA+ community who was excited to have the celebration and other events return. This offered a sense of normalcy and an opportunity to socialize with the community.

Several University of Houston (UH) staff, alumni, and students were honored during the 2022 Houston Pride 365 LGBTQA+ Celebration. The UH team that attended won honors, awards, and opportunities to be an integral part of the celebration. They did not just attend the celebration that participated in many ways and the University was proud of all who served. The people who were celebrated include:

UH LGBTQ Resource Center’s Gender and Sexuality Education Program Manager, Juliann Losey, is the 2022 Nonbinary/Gender Nonconforming Grand Marshal. Juliann is now the Assistant Director, Residential Life for Student Housing and Residential Life
2021’s Nonbinary/Gender Nonconforming Grand Marshal is Kevin Nguyen and is the director of the LGBTQ Resource Center. 2021’s Female Identifying Grand Marshal is Melanie Toarmina Pang, who is also a UH Alum and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Graduate College of Social Work. Nguyen and Pang’s selection as Grand Marshals made history as the first Asian American Grand Marshals in Pride Houston’s history.
Black Lives Matter Houston was named a 2021 Honorary Grand Marshal, where Brandon Mack, a UH Alum and current UH Ph.D. student, serves as a lead organizer.
In 2020, UH Alum Kelsey Reynolds was named the Gender Nonbinary/Nonconforming Grand Marshal.
Landon Richie, a current UH student, was named the ‘Tomorrow’s Trendsetter’ Grand Marshal.

Grand Marshals are nominated and voted for by the Pride Houston 365 Board or the greater Houston population, depending on the category. It was an honor to celebrate the notable contributions of individuals and organizations for serving the LGBTQ+ community.