Coming up in the Honors College

• 03/13: HERE and SURF Program Application Deadlines
• 03/18: Summer Internships at the Health Museum
• 03/26: From UH to Vassar with Daniel Mendiola, Ph.D.- Two great events!
• NOW: Join Model WHO and get a chance to travel!

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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
Dr. John Dinan
Professor and Chair of Politics, Wake Forest University

April 24, 2026
"Prudence, indeed, will Dictate..."
Statesmanship and the People's Right of Revolution
Dr. Lucas Morel
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 under 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.

Native Plant Society of Texas Undergraduate Academic Scholarships
The Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) offers academic scholarships to undergraduate students at Texas universities who are pursuing related studies, will be juniors or seniors in the fall of the application year, and engaged in the furtherance of the NPSOT mission. These scholarships are:

 • The Kate Hillhouse Undergraduate Academic Scholarship: This $2,500 tuition award supports undergraduates who plan to pursue a career related to Texas native plants and/or to the conservation and restoration of native plant habitats in Texas.
 • The Dr. Alfred Richardson Undergraduate Academic Scholarship: This award is $5,000-$10,000 per year for up to two years and is awarded to students who plan to pursue an academic or research career focusing on the study, conservation or utilization of Texas native plants. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by March 15, 2026

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Course
Registration is open for the in-person Six Sigma Green Belt course. Early bird registration ($25 off) ends March 15, and the final deadline is March 26. The 3-day class runs March 27–29 (8 AM–4 PM) 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, 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. 
 Questions? Contact Trinh Nguyen at tnguy319@cougarnet.uh.edu

Summer Internships at the Health Museum
The Health Museum and the Honros College have partnered up this summer. Undergraduate students interested in health and science and encouraged to apply. Various positions are available. Discovery Camp Interns work with kids ages 5-13 in interactive science camps. Science Communicator interns as part of the DeBakey Cell Lab Call Lab will  interact with visitors and mentor high school students as they develop research projects. Aftercare Interns will support a positive environment for campers during camp hours and aftercare programming. Interns will receive stipends. APPLY HERE by March 18, 2026. Contact Alison Leland for more info at awleland@central.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 Dr. 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 - 2:30 p.m. in Teaching Unit II Rm. 211 - Dr. 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.

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 with any questions.

21st Annual Undergraduate Research Day 
Undergraduate Research Day will take place on April 9, 2026 from 4-6 pm in the MD Anderson Library, Honors College, Rockwell Pavilion. Each spring by 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 Commons. Pizza will be served. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Dr. 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 7p.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. 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

Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF)
Each year, the Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF) places around 1,200 Americans into French public schools to work as English language teaching assistants for 12 hours a week for seven month periods. Assistants will receive a stipend and health insurance during their contract stay. TAPIF alumni gain access to scholarships with partner universities in the U.S. and France for MA and Ph.D. studies. Eligible applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid passport, be 20-35 years of age, have completed at least three years of higher education, and be a native English speaker with intermediate proficiency in French. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by March 15, 2026

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 with 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

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RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

2026 Houston Early Research Experience (HERE) - Houston's Environment
The Houston Early Research Experience (HERE) is a two-week workshop intended to orient first- and second-year students to the fundamentals of conducting research. Under the guidance of faculty mentors, students will discuss academic topics, broaden their professional network, and learn how to ask the right research questions. HERE recipients are awarded a $1,000 scholarship and two points toward the Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement transcript designation. Applicants must currently be in their first or second year at UH or not plan on graduating before Spring 2028, and have a minimum 3.5 GPA. All majors are eligible to apply, and no prior research experience is required. Students may apply to both HERE and SURF in the same year. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by March 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Workshop - Texas Violence Injury Prevention Research Center (VIPR) 
The Texas Violence Injury Research Center Summer Undergraduate Research Workshop is an 8-week, faculty-mentored program that introduces undergraduates to quantitative research in violence and injury prevention. Students will participate for 15 hours per week and will receive a $3,000 stipend. Applicants must be enrolled at UH, Rice, or Texas Southern University and possess a minimum 3.0 GPA. To apply, email a current resume, a one-page cover letter, and two letters of recommendation to info@texasvipr.com with the subject line "VIPR Summer 2026 Undergraduate Research Application" by March 13, 2026.  LEARN MORE HERE.

2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) provides funding for undergraduates to participate in a focused, full-time, 10-week research experience under the direction of a UH faculty mentor. SURF recipients are awarded a $4,000 scholarship and three points toward the Honors in Co-Curricular Engagement transcript designation. Applicants must be rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors graduating in Fall 2026 or after. Students of all disciplines with at least a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply. Students may apply to both HERE and SURF in the same year. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by March 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

2026 Heart of Texas Undergraduate Research Conference - Virtual
The Baylor University Research in Science and Technology (BURST) organization is inviting undergraduates involved in STEM-focused research to submit an abstract for the Heart of Texas Undergraduate Research Conference (HoT), a virtual conference hosted by BURST. Undergraduates from all STEM fields are invited to give a 15 minute oral presentation about their research, with awards given to outstanding presentations in each division. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by March 14, 2026

Community Health Promotion Lab Internship
We are excited to announce that applications are now open for the Community Health Promotion Lab Research Internship  for summer 2026. This internship offers a valuable opportunity to work closely with Drs. Craig Johnston, Tracey Ledoux, and Aliye Cepni on health promotion research aimed at advancing health equity. LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE by March 16, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited for interviews shortly after the application deadline.

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 April 1, 2026 at 5 p.m.

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 April 20, 2026 at 11:59 pm

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, UH
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 Dr. 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 Dr. 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?