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Team Texas Places 9th at 36th Annual NCF-Envirothon in Calgary

July 2025

group at envirothon students at envirothon

The Texas Envirothon team earned an impressive 9th place finish at the 36th annual NCF-Envirothon international competition, held July 20–26, 2025, at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Congratulations to Maximo Arratia, Haadiya Ahmed, Shelby Harrell, Sean Nievera, and Roel Cantu, along with their team advisor Andrew Cortez, of South Texas ISD Science Academy. Together, they competed alongside 50 high school teams from across the United States, Canada, and China, demonstrating outstanding teamwork, adaptability, and knowledge as they took on the challenging competition.

The team received a $750 scholarship for their achievement.

This year’s current issue, “Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change,” invited students to explore forest ecosystems, climate impacts, and sustainable management practices. Over the course of the week-long event, the Texas team applied their skills in aquatic ecology, forestry, soil and land use, wildlife, and the current issue through written tests and an oral presentation.

“This team worked incredibly hard to prepare, and it was exciting to see them bring Texas back into the top 10 at the international level,” said Wendy Reistle, Texas Envirothon Coordinator. “Their success reflects not only their knowledge and dedication, but also the teamwork and enthusiasm that make Envirothon such a unique and rewarding experience.”

Two-time competitor Sean Nievera shared his favorite Envirothon memory from the week in Canada: “I loved spending time with my team testing at the outdoor site, where we were able to score well while still having fun and enjoying the moment.”

Thank you to our Texas Envirothon sponsors — CenterPoint Energy Foundation, Clear Lake Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas, Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District, Texas Association of Environmental Professionals, Coastal Plains Soil & Water Conservation District, Harris County Soil & Water Conservation District, and the Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board — for making this opportunity possible.

The Texas Envirothon also extends its appreciation to the NCF-Envirothon and event sponsors whose support makes the international competition possible each year. Full competition results are available at envirothon.org.

2025 News

Faculty member honored the Urban History Association

September 2025

Congratulations to Dr. Thaís R. S. de Sant’Ana, Assistant Professor of History in the College of Human Sciences and Humanities, who has been honored by the Urban History Association for her recent publication, “State-led Development and Migrants’ Resilience in the City of the Forest.” Her article received honorable mention in the 2025 Arnold Hirsch Award for Best Article category, an accolade given to only two scholars this year.

The full list of awardees and a statement on the impact of Dr. de Sant’Ana’s research is available at https://www.urbanhistory.org/2025awardwinners.

Engineering programs earn six-year ABET reaccreditation

September 2025

UHCL’s Bachelor of Science programs in Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering have been re-accredited by ABET’s Engineering Accreditation Commission through 2031; a full six-year term with no shortcomings. This outstanding result reflects the programs’ commitment to academic excellence, continuous improvement, and alignment with industry standards. Achieving reaccreditation without any deficiencies, weaknesses, or concerns is a significant accomplishment and a testament to the dedication of CSE’s faculty and staff.

Mechanical Engineering student stands out at 2025 Undergraduate Research Day

April 2025

UHCL recently participated in the 2025 Undergraduate Research Day at the Texas Capitol, an event organized by the Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors (CPUPC) and Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT). Representing UHCL, Mechanical Engineering student and soon-to-be graduate Peter Bowling presented his research project, The Backyardigans: Softgoods Attachment Device, which was met with enthusiastic reception and sparked engaging discussions among attendees.

The Backyardigans team, comprised of Peter and fellow Mechanical Engineering students Joseph Gibson, Walker Sharpe, and Matt Alatorre, has developed the NASA Tag Gun. This handheld tool allows astronauts to securely join two layers of multilayer insulation from the front side only, addressing the challenge of limited dexterity during spacewalks. This device uses a hollow needle mechanism to deploy and anchor precision-molded tags, featuring ergonomic controls to reduce astronaut fatigue during extravehicular activities. Their research and project is also sponsored by the NASA Texas Space Grant Consortium.

During Undergraduate Research Day, Peter, alongside Faculty Advisor Dr. Youssef Hamidi, interacted with a diverse group of participants throughout the day, including faculty members, students, and community members. This event provided valuable visibility for UHCL, highlighting the exceptional research continuously conducted by undergraduate students.

The day served as an excellent platform for networking and exchanging ideas with colleagues from various Texas institutions, further emphasizing the collaborative spirit and academic excellence of UHCL.

Innovation and creativity shine at UHCL's 31st Annual Student Conference for Research and Creative Arts

April 2025

UHCL recently concluded its 31st Annual Student Conference for Research and Creative Arts, held April 19-25. This year's conference was a resounding success, drawing in over 650 student participants from various disciplines and educational levels.The event showcased more than 360 teams, including over 90 posters, 230 in- class presentations, 70 podium presentations, a mock trial, and 41 art exhibits. Contributions came from all four UHCL colleges, as well as other higher education institutions and high schools, making the conference a true melting pot of ideas and creativity.

Structured around numerous sessions, the conference was supported by UHCL faculty who mentored their students through research involvement and dedicated in-class activities. Faculty sponsors were crucial in guiding students throughout their research and presentation processes, ensuring high-quality submissions and presentations. Each session was overseen by a faculty member, who chaired the smooth execution of presentations, posters, and other forms of participation.

The annual conference celebrated student achievements and fostered an environment of positive engagement and learning, reinforcing the university's commitment to innovation through collaboration and student success.

UHCL Alumna showcases Riparian Restoration on Houston Life

February 2025

UHCL and EIH alumna Kelli Ondracek, '11 MS, Natural Resources Manager for Houston Parks and Recreation Department, joined KPRC’s Houston Life to discuss her riparian restoration work along White Oak Bayou. Watch the segment on Houston Life’s YouTube channel.

The White Oak Bayou Riparian Restoration initiative highlights the impact of community partnerships and environmental stewardship. Restored greenspaces provide ecosystem services like flood control and water quality improvement. Thanks to funding from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) Galveston Bay Estuary Program (GBEP), this initiative is paving the way for a healthier and more sustainable future for Houston's greenspaces.

The Galveston Bay Estuary Program, one of 28 estuary programs in the country, facilitates collaboration between partner organizations and stakeholders doing work in the Lower Galveston Bay Watershed. To learn more, visit gbep.texas.gov. Throughout the year, we will feature other initiatives through our community outreach project. This project is in partnership with GBEP, KPRC, and UHCL, and is made possible through state funds from TCEQ and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Clear Lake chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas supports the 2025 Texas Envirothon

January 2025

The Clear Lake Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas has generously contributed $2,000 to support the 2025 Texas Envirothon. Their contribution will enhance opportunities for high school students to engage in hands-on learning about natural resource management and environmental stewardship.

The Texas Envirothon, coordinated by the Environmental Institute of Houston at the University of Houston-Clear Lake under the leadership of Wendy Reistle and Rowena McDermid, is a statewide competition designed to prepare students to tackle real- world environmental challenges. This year’s event will be held April 5–7 in Richmond, Texas. The theme Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change, emphasizes sustainable forest management and community engagement.

The Native Plant Society of Texas is dedicated to promoting the use and conservation of native plants through education, outreach, and advocacy. Their support reflects their commitment to fostering environmental stewardship and inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders.

To learn more about the program and how you can become involved, visit the Texas Envirothon website.

 

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Provost Communications & Updates

The Provost’s Academic Affairs Update is an e-newsletter distributed on Mondays during the fall and spring semesters. The update features important announcements, news items, and academic events of interest to faculty and academic affairs staff.

For questions or to request information be included in weekly emails, please contact Director of Academic Communications, Lexi Herrera at HerreraL@uhcl.edu. Items are included at the discretion of the Provost and/or Director of Academic Communications.

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