HOUSTON (Dec. 2, 2024) – On Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, the University of Houston-Downtown will confer degrees for more than 1,600 Gators in two ceremonies at NRG Arena. Two dynamic guest commencement speakers, whose histories of public service and excellence are representative of the values held dear at UHD, will share their insights with the graduates and their friends and families.
Mario Castillio
During the 1 p.m. ceremony, students from the Marilyn Davies College of Business and the College of Sciences and Technology will hear from Houston City Council Member Mario Castillo of District H. UHD alum and Council Member Joaquin Martinez of District I is the speaker for the 5:30 p.m. ceremony, during which graduates from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Public Service will be celebrated.
Mario Castillo, a lifetime resident of Houston, graduated from the High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, evidencing his commitment to public service at an early age. He continued his academic pursuits at Texas A&M University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Public Health. He then embarked on his career in public service and has been making a positive difference in Houston’s communities, with an emphasis on public health and community safety. As Council Member for District H and Executive Director of the grassroots organization Your Houston, he is invested daily in improving the quality of life for all Houstonians.
Joaquin Martinez
Joaquin Martinez, also a lifelong Houstonian, is a proud UHD alum. He has dedicated his career to public service, expanding his reach to directly impact the quality of life for all Houstonians. In addition to collaborating with nonprofit agencies such as BakerRipley, he has served on the boards of Arte Publico Press and the Tejano Center for Community Concerns, empowering residents through sustained networks of support and emphasizing the power of literacy and the arts. Through his work as Youth Development Manager for Neighborhood Centers, Inc., he led innovative solutions to address the nuanced needs of our city’s youth.
For more information about UHD, visit uhd.edu.
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ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-DOWNTOWN
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024, the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard.
UHD educates approximately 14,000 students annually, boasts more than 69,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD No. 27 in social mobility in the region, a nine-point increase, and No. 58 for Regional Universities West, up from No. 62, as well as rating UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice. TheStockWatcher.com called UHD a “notable institution providing high-quality online MBA programs.UHD ensures that its graduates are well-prepared to succeed in their chosen career paths.”
UHD is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
