Published Jul 22, 2022
The Governor’s Texas Workforce Investment Council has granted the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) a $349,772 grant that will provide underrepresented Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students with career training and learning experiences.
Dr. Mary Jo Parker, the executive director of UHD’s Scholars Academy, spoke about what this grant will do for the university, as well as how much it means to them.
“We appreciate the Office of the Texas Governor, which has moved to evidence-based opportunities such as the Texas Talent Connection Grant Program. The program encourages universities to enter the training venue as supplemental to the regular curricular offerings. UHD undergraduates will reach another distinctive level of competency, while Houston’s industries will see this as a prime opportunity for the training or re-training of employees,” said Dr. Parker.
The grant will be used to provide students with training in various areas of cybersecurity, software development, biotechnical engineering, robotics and more. UHD experts in these areas will lead these sessions throughout the school year.
“The goals of this program will be to improve skill levels in precollege, undergraduates, and current employed workforce members in cyber and other security sectors,” Dr. Parker said.
The program will also include the involvement of Greater Houston Partnership members, area school districts and the Gulf Coast Workforce Board.
When students complete training, they will be encouraged to complete certification in their career path.
“According to industry experts, encouraging preparation for certificates in the security areas are increasingly important. Our program will be essential to our students gaining future employment,” Dr. Parker said.
Parker also mentioned that the grant for the upcoming STEM-related program perfectly aligns with UHD’s new mission.
UHD is the second-largest university in Houston and is one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston system. The university has the most affordable tuition among four-year universities in Houston.
