COMMENCEMENT COUGAR TALES
Spring 2023 Grads Share Stories of Success
When one story ends, a new chapter begins.
That is definitely the case for the University of Houston’s Class of 2023. During spring commencement, more than 6,700 UH graduates will close the book on their respective degrees but they will have new tales to tell as newly minted Cougar alumni.
Graduation ceremonies for UH’s 16 academic colleges will take place May 10 – 13 on campus and will be livestreamed. That week, UH will literally be transformed red and white with balloons and other spirited décor adorning areas of campus. Meanwhile, each convocation will celebrate the achievements of the Cougar community with friends, family and faculty gathering to support spring grads.
For those hoping to preserve the moment, the following areas offer picture perfect photo opportunities May 8 - 14:
University of Houston Seal - Cullen Circle Entrance
Cullen Family Plaza
Athletics Alumni Center Lobby (8 a.m. – 5 p.m. only)
Student Center South First Floor Entry
During Commencement Week, Cullen Boulevard will be closed to all vehicles between Elgin Street and Cougar Place Drive from 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 10, through Saturday, May 13. Holman Street will also be closed from Scott Street to Cullen Boulevard.
Several free parking areas are availanle on campus, and ADA-accessible shuttle buses will be available to transport guests between these lots and the Fertitta Center. Additional details on parking and the construction-related road closures are available here.
This year's graduates range in age from 19 to 72, and each has traveled a different road to complete their academic journey. The following Coogs are just a small sample of the grit and determination that defines UH’s latest graduating class.
Overcoming Obstacles
Emery White is preparing to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing. While she has much to celebrate, White also acknowledges the adversities she faced along the way.
During high school, she and other family members cared for her ailing father. The experience was often emotionally taxing, but it also inspired her decision to attend nursing school.
Upon visiting UH at Sugar Land to learn more about the college, she and her mother were greeted by a friendly face.
“We were walking in the hallway and met Dean Kathryn Tart,” she said. “She showed us exactly where to go and was very helpful. It was a great introduction to the college.”
That warm welcome was just the start. Throughout her time at the college, White received guidance and encouragement from her family, classmates and faculty. The support was certainly appreciated as White found herself struggling to balance her responsibilities at home with her coursework.
“During my junior year, I reached a low point of utter burnout and exhaustion,” she said. “That semester, we started 12-hour clinical shifts in the hospitals and had lengthy care plans to complete after those long days. My peers also encouraged me when I felt down and provided me with emotional support. I also sought advice from faculty at the College of Nursing who were able to provide some tips for stress management. Not only did I come out of that semester strong, I learned valuable lessons about the importance of self-care.”
In addition to the moral support she received, White earned a Gessner Family Nursing Scholarship which covered her full tuition. She said the scholarship eased her financial burdens and helped her focus on her studies.
Soon, she will begin a new position with Houston Methodist Sugar Land in its neurology and stroke unit, but White will never forget her time at UH’s Gessner College of Nursing. Her advice to future nursing students is to seek advice and assistance, particularly from faculty. UH’s professors, she said, are committed to their students.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out to your faculty if you are struggling with stress or other issues,” she said. “If I could go back, I would have reached out a lot sooner than I did. They are there to help you and guide you toward success.”
A Healthy Future
Raised by a single mother alongside two siblings, Seun Lagbenro realizes the importance of affordable and attainable health care. Now, the standout biology graduate wants to ensure that everyone has access to those resources that often eluded him and his family.
“The field of health care is important to my family because it is a something that we had little access to as children,” said Lagbenro, who will earn a Bachelor of Science in biology from UH’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (NSM). “Having my mother move around from job to job meant it was hard to be insured and afford a hospital visit. Growing up and having a love for science, my sisters and I realized how important access to basic health care is for all people, not just those who can afford it.”
Both of Lagbenro’s sisters have embarked on health care careers, and he will follow in their footsteps. His next stop is the University of Texas College of Pharmacy. Although he’ll depart UH, the institution will remain close to Lagbenro’s heart as it primed him for both graduate school and professional endeavors.
While he credits the University for supporting his professional ambitions, his time on campus was not without challenges. Lagbenro experienced imposter syndrome (or feeling anxiety despite performing well in school).
“I didn’t want to be the only one from my family who failed,” he said. “Being the youngest and having both sisters enter graduate school, I did not want to be the only one who did not make it.”
But Lagbenro rose above any anxieties and has certainly made it. He credits both UH and its faculty for helping him reach this important moment in his academic career.
“I am fortunate to have worked with professors who are always welcoming and receptive,” he said. “Plus, the rigor of the classes and UH's countless opportunities prepared me for a career in health care.”
Reach for More
Gira Gomez’s parents encouraged her to set high goals. Since transferring to UH from Lone Star College, she has done exactly that.
Gomez will earn her Bachelor of Business Administration from the C. T. Bauer College of Business and has undoubtedly reached for the stars during her time here on campus. She’s served as a member of the Business Women Society and Program for Excellence in Selling (PES). Gomez also has benefitted as a Learning Abroad student, traveling to France and studying at the American Business School in Paris.
“My experience learning abroad taught me so much about what I can achieve,” she said. “I was raised by a Dominican mother and a Costa Rican father here in Houston. They didn’t have much when they came to the United States, but they instilled a vision within me to always reach for more, even if it may not seem possible.”
UH, she said, also has been helpful in helping her become a high achiever. Through University programs such as the Program for Excellence in Selling, she earned a competitive internship with Dell Technologies. Following graduation, she will have a job awaiting her with that same company.
She also credits Learning Abroad and her experience in France for providing global perspectives that she will apply to her career.
“UH has supported my professional ambitions by helping me better define what I want to see myself become in the future,” said Gomez, whose international trip was supported by a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. “The staff and the professors have truly what supported my career goals and I’m eternally grateful for their impact on me.”
The road to commencement was not exactly a smooth one, she said. It took some time to adjust to a Tier 1 university after transferring from Lone Star College. Balancing part-time jobs with schoolwork also provided some challenges. Still, her parents’ encouragement and a “can do” attitude made the difference for Gomez.
“I truly believe that everything happens for a reason,” she said. “If it were not for the challenges I endured, I would not be here graduating, debt-free, and with a full-time job secured.”
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