Coming up in the Honors College

• NOW: Join Model WHO and get a chance to travel!
• 03/26: From UH to Vassar with Daniel Mendiola, Ph.D. - Two great events!
• 03/27: Lyceum Lecture: John Dinan, Ph.D.
• 04/03: 2026 Fulbright Online Launch Event

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ANNOUNCEMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES    

Grand Challenges Forum
The New Grand Challenges Forum encourages students to think critically, discuss openly and learn unequivocally. The New Grand Challenges Forum offers students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the local community a time to hear a wide range of lectures dedicated to a compelling theme. Fridays from 1-2 p.m. in the Honors College Commons.

Friday, April 10, 2026 
Chris Boleman, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Former Professor of Agriculture, Texas A&M University 
"The Impact of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on the Future of the Texas Agricultural Economy" 

Lyceum Lecture Series
The Lyceum Initiative hosts a Lecture Series each academic year, focused on a theme of special interest to its mission. The theme for 2026 is "The Declaration at 250!" Each talk in the 2026 Lecture Series will focus upon one of the fundamental principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence, signed by delegates to the Continental Congress in July of 1776.

March 27, 2026
"To Secure these Rights Governments are Instituted..."
State Constitutionalism and the American Republics
John Dinan, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of Politics, Wake Forest University

April 24, 2026
"Prudence, indeed, will Dictate..."
Statesmanship and the People's Right of Revolution
Lucas Morel, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of Politics, Washington and Lee University 
Member of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission

Model WHO Conference Travel Opportunity!
Calling all interested students in global health, health policy, and debate! Housed in the Honors College, Model World Health Organization (WHO) is a program designed to allow student representatives to engage in debates and discussions on global health issues on a national stage. Model WHO participants will gain a deeper understanding of the leadership, diplomatic, and a range of personal skills needed to negotiate, debate, and research global public health issues. LEARN MORE ABOUT Model WHO HERE and learn more about how to secure your membership and chance to travel with us to the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill National Competition! Travel and accommodations to conferences are provided through membership, and transportation costs are fully funded.

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Course
Registration is open for the in-person Six Sigma Green Belt course.  The 3-day class runs March 27–29 (8 a.m.–4 p.m.) at UH, with the exam on the last day and three additional online retake opportunities. Taught by John Terrell, a certified Six Sigma Black Belt with 20+ years of experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center, this IISE-endorsed, ISO 13053–compliant, and IACET-accredited course helps you gain practical process improvement skills and boost your resume for internships, co-ops, and full-time roles. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by March 26, 2026 
 Questions? Contact Trinh Nguyen at tnguy319@cougarnet.uh.edu

Idea Wars: Innovation Challenge
The Founders’ Club is hosting our second annual “Idea Wars: Innovation Challenge”, which is a hack-a-thon style competition where students come up with an innovative business solution for a problem and then pitch it for the chance to win an award! We are looking for students to collaborate, create interdisciplinary teams, and develop innovative solutions to big problems. Sign up to participate and LEARN MORE HERE by Wednesday, March 25.

From UH to Vassar with Daniel Mendiola, Ph.D.- Two great events!
Join OURMA alongside the Department of History and CLASS Honors in this event series featuring Daniel Mendiola, Ph.D., an assistant professor of history at Vassar College and alum of the Honors College and the Department of History at the University of Houston.

On March 26 from 12-1:30 p.m in the Honors College Commons - Join us to learn about Mendiola's research, teaching, first book, and how his time at UH prepared him for his career. Lunch will be provided. 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the Honors College Commons - How do you read this? Paleography Workshop. Learn tips and tricks in this paleography workship using documents from colonial Central America. Open to all students!

On March 27 from 1- :30 p.m. in Teaching Unit II Rm. 211 - Mendiola will give a public lecture in clelebration of his first book publication, The Mosquito Confederation: A borderlands History of Colonial Central America. This event is open to all UH students, faculty, and staff, with a discussion and refreshments to follow.

US Latino Digital Humanities (USLDH) Summer Internship at Arte Público Press
The US Latino Digital Humanities (USLDH) Summer Internship offers University of Houston undergraduates a hands-on introduction to US Latino archives and digital humanities scholarship. Interns will gain first-hand experience working with historical materials while learning best practices in archival research, digital scholarship and US Latino digital humanities methodologies and research approaches. Interns will work up to 19 hours/week with a compensation of $15/hr. Applicants must be current University of Houston undergraduate students and legally authorized to work in the U.S., with preference for students with near-native proficiency in Spanish reading and writing. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by March 31, 2026

Harris Fellows Summer Internship
The Harris Fellows Program offers University of Houston students a 10-week, full-time summer internship with Harris County government offices from June 1 to August 7. Fellows gain hands-on experience serving the residents of the nation’s second-largest county by assisting with constituent services, research, policy analysis, and special projects, while applying classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. The program is open to juniors, seniors, and recent graduates from all majors who are in good academic standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Participants may earn 3–12 upper-level credit hours and receive a $6,000 stipend upon successful completion of program requirements. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by April 6, 2026. For more information, email Jessica Ruland O’Connor at jlruland@cougarnet.uh.edu .

21st Annual Undergraduate Research Day 
Undergraduate Research Day will take place on April 9, 2026 from 4-6 p.m. in the MD Anderson Library, the Honors College, and the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion. Each spring, OURMA in collaboration with the Honors College and MD Anderson Library, brings together hundreds of visitors to celebrate the work of undergraduate researchers across all disciplines who showcase their work in poster presentations. Come celebrate the amazing research our undergraduate Coogs have conducted! Everyone is invited. LEARN MORE HERE

International Film Series: The Gravel Road / Chemman Chaalai (2005, Malaysia)
Join the Institute for Global Engagement for Provost – Global Film Screening: The Gravel Road / Chemman Chaalai (2005, Malaysia), directed by Deepak Kumaran Menon and presented by Mohan Ambikaipaker. Widely regarded as one of the pioneering works of Malaysian independent cinema, the film follows Shantha, a teenage girl in a rural Indian Malaysian family, as she strives to pursue her education despite financial hardship and her parents’ traditional expectations. Shot in a raw, naturalistic style, Chemman Chaalai offers an intimate portrait of Indian Malaysian life and explores themes of identity, generational conflict, racial marginalization, and the resilience needed to pursue change amid socioeconomic hardship. A story of dreams, struggle, and perseverance, the film asks whose stories are remembered and whose are left behind. The screening will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 5:30-8 p.m in the Honors College Commons. Pizza will be served. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Wei-Yi (Wesley) Lee at wlee34@central.uh.edu.

Honors Club Theater
Are you interested in theater, writing, acting, directing, or tech? Then this is the club for you! We'v already ended auditions for the spring, but you can still be involved in our numerous club events throughout the semester. If you still have your doubts, you can attend our Spring 2026 Showcase on April 24 at 7 p.m.! If you have any questions or want more information please contact us at : clubtheater@uh.edu or our Instagram @honorsclubtheatre

Get Involved With Wolffest!
Wolffest is a student-run food festival hosted by the Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, taking place April 7–9 in Butler Plaza. We are currently recruiting team members to assist with event support and operations. This is a great opportunity for UH students to get involved on campus, gain hands-on event experience, and support one of UH’s largest student-led events. Students interested in volunteering can join our GroupMe and follow us on Instagram @wolffsummit for updates.

Environment Texas Renewable Energy Campaign - Internship and Volunteer
Environment Texas, an conservation organization, is seeking volunteers and interns to assist in a new campaign to organize support for renewable and clean energy across the state. Over the next several months, participants will assist in organizing community events, working with the media, collecting petition signatures and photos, and building a broad coalition of local groups. Interns and volunteers will be predominantly based in the city and region they are located in. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE

Kscholastic Inc. is Hiring In-person Tutors!
Kscholastic Tutoring Company is seeking motivated and knowledgeable undergraduate and graduate tutors to provide in-person tutoring for K–12 students in the Houston area. This role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on student learning while gaining valuable teaching experience. Applicants proficient STEM, ASL, Economics, and languages are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants must have a personal vehicle for travel to tutoring sessions and be available a minimum of two evenings per week. The position offers a starting pay rate of $33 per hour, with pay increases based on experience and performance. If interested, please send your resume and a brief statement of interest to office@kscholastic.com, or complete the application form here.

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TRAVEL & SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

CHLI Lincoln Diaz-Balart Public Service Fellowship
Facilitated by the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI), the Lincoln Diaz-Balart Public Service Fellowship offers a college graduate the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to establish their career in public service. Each fellow will be provided a placement in a congressional office, monthly stipend, housing and transportation allowance, and various CHLI resources. Eligible applicants must be recent graduates from an undergraduate program, fully available to complete the entirety of the program, and eligible to work in the U.S. All majors are encouraged to apply. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by April 2, 2026 at 9 p.m. CST.

2026 Fulbright Online Launch Event
Get a head start on your application into this prestigious cultural exchange program! Learn more about the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and hear from an experienced panel of UH Fulbrighters who have submitted competitive applications, completed the program, or are currently abroad. This launch event will take place on April 3, 2026 from 12 - 1:30 pm online, you must register to attend. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE

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RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

2026 TexLa Digital Health Summit - TexLa Telehealth Resource Center
The TexLa Telehealth Resource Center at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center invites students to submit poster abstracts for the 2026 TexLa Digital Health Summit. Selected students will have the opportunity to present their work, network with healthcare leaders, and showcase their innovation to a regional audience. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students with projects related to telehealth, digital health, rural health innovation, AI in healthcare, and other emerging topics that improve access to care and health outcomes are eligible to submit. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by March 31, 2026.

Houston Area Opportunities for Undergraduate Student Training in Obesity & Nutrition (HOUSTON) Academy 2.0
HOUSTON Academy is an interprofessional training program for undergraduate students who are interested in a health care profession. The program provides nutrition education and applied research opportunities, a $7,500 scholarship over the summer and fall 2026 semesters, and up to $1,000 towards conference presentation expenses. Rising sophomores-seniors enrolled in a university or community college with a minimum 2.8 GPA are eligible. Applicants are expected to fully participate in the program and adhere to the 320-hour commitment over the summer and fall 2026 semesters. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by 5 p.m. on April 1, 2026. 

Provost’s Undergraduate Research Scholarship (PURS) 
The Provost's Undergraduate Research Scholarship (PURS) provides funding for undergraduates to participate in a part-time, semester-long research experience under the direction of a UH faculty mentor. Recipients will receive a $1,000 scholarship and two points toward the Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement transcript designation. Applicants must be rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors graduating in or after Fall 2026. Students of all disciplines with at least a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by 11:59 p.m. on April 20, 2026.  

Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN) 
The Shenoy Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Neuroscience (SURFiN) aims to spark and sustain interest in neuroscience among undergraduate students living near Simons Foundation-supported laboratories (two in Houston) who have not had access to research opportunities. Fellows may earn up to $7,500 and are mentored through their lab research and participate in career development activities, including a virtual coding boot camp and a scientific symposium in New York City. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a bachelor's or associate's degree program. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by April 21, 2026 at 11 a.m. CST

Harris County Historical Society Award for Excellence
The Harris County Historical Society presents this annual award for excellence to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student for a public history project focused on Houston or Harris County history. The $1,500 scholarship will be awarded for the fall 2026 semester. The award recipient will be expected to present their project or a summary thereof at the 2026 Harris County Historical Society Dinner. Submitted projects should be completed between June 1, 2025 and May 15, 2026. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by May 15, 2026.

Pharmacy Undergraduate Research Opportunity - Dr. Joydip Das
Dr. Joydip Das, from the Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is currently recruiting undergraduate students to study the binding of small molecule drugs on presynaptic and signaling proteins using molecular docking, molecular dynamics and binding assays. The objective is to understand the molecular mechanism of drug’s action with a long-term goal of developing more potent drugs with little or no side effects. For more information, contact Joydip Das (713-743-1708, jdas@uh.edu).

Congenital Heart Defects Undergraduate Research Opportunity - Dr. Mingfu Wu, UH
Dr. Mingfu Wu, from the Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, is currently recruiting undergraduate students or research scientists to work on exciting new projects related to the etiology, pathology and genetic basis of congenital heart defects and cardiomyopathy. These projects investigate the etiologies at cellular, molecular, and genetic levels and establish novel treatments and gene-therapy for these heart diseases. Motivated students with a strong background in biology, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics, or pharmacology are encouraged to apply. The projects in the lab are supported by NIH and AHA grants. Qualified students are accepted all year round with two per year with students expected to stay in the lab for at least one year. For more information, email Mingfu Wu (mwu25@central.uh.edu) and answer the following questions: do you want to be a PhD, a MD or other plan for the next step? Do you want to be a physician, an independent faculty or other career in the future?