Student Success & Undergraduate Affairs Update
NSM Community Building
TC Energy Summer Scholars Academy cohorts are competing in the Battle of the Cohorts — a four-part series of team-based challenges designed to encourage collaboration and friendly competition. Scholars have already faced off in bowling (September 19) and trivia (September 26). The fun continues in October with a Mario Kart race and a board game tournament.
The overall winning cohort will enjoy a catered Chipotle lunch as their grand prize. These activities help scholars stay connected and engaged, building a strong sense of community beyond the summer program and into the fall and spring semesters.
Office of First Year Programs Update
OFYP Engages Mathematics Faculty on Recruitment and Retention Initiatives
The Office of First-Year Programs (OFYP) shared an overview of its mission, programs, and collaboration opportunities with Mathematics faculty during their department meeting on Wednesday, October 1. The presentation highlighted ways faculty can support both recruitment efforts (e.g., Cougar Preview, Official Coog Day, Academic Information Sessions) and retention activities (e.g., Coffee & Conversations, Lab Crawl).
OFYP is scheduling similar meetings with all NSM departments to encourage faculty and staff involvement in initiatives that connect with students and strengthen their sense of belonging within the NSM community. Below are upcoming volunteer opportunities to help engage students and foster their success.
NSM Peer Mentorship Program
Now in its seventh year, the NSM Peer Mentorship Program—part of the Office of First-Year Programs’ (OFYP) initiatives—supports first-year and transfer students as they transition into UH and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The program connects students with resources, academic guidance, and social support to foster community and promote success.
This year, the program has grown by approximately 20%, now serving more than 175 students, with additional students on a waitlist after hearing about the program upon arriving at UH. Engagement has also risen, with 95% of mentees participating in program activities. OFYP plans to continue expanding the program so every student who wants a mentor has the opportunity to be matched.
Recruitment, Transition and Retention
Annual Fall Field Trip
On October 3, OFYP professional staff and three Student Leadership Team members hosted a field trip to Meow Wolf’s Radiant Tave for six first-year NSM students (both first-time-in-college and transfer). This fun, immersive experience encouraged students to connect with peers, explore real-world topics, and build community through interactive activities that blended academics with adventure.
Cougar Takeover
On September 16, in partnership with the Office of Admissions, OFYP staff and two Student Leadership Team members presented an academic information session to prospective students and guests at Cy-Fair ISD. Of the 179 attendees, 41 participated in NSM College presentations.
TACRAO College Fairs
OFYP professional staff and Student Leadership Team members represented the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at several Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (TACRAO) fairs this fall:
- September 23: Joint College Fair with 11 participating high schools, including Pasadena ISD, Deer Park ISD, La Porte ISD, and First Baptist Christian Academy.
- September 24: Clear Creek ISD Joint College Fair with five high schools represented and more than 1,300 students and families in attendance.
- October 1: Fort Bend ISD College Fair.
- October 6: San Jacinto College - Central TACRAO Fair.
Webpage Updates
OFYP is collaborating with the NSM Communications Office to enhance the Future Students webpage, ensuring a cleaner, more consistent design and clear communication about the College and the application process. The updated page will include information for both prospective undergraduate and graduate students. Additional updates are underway for the Academic Success Program, Dean’s First-Year Excellence Award, and First-Year Seminar webpages. These improvements aim to increase awareness and participation in OFYP programs while strengthening the office’s identity within NSM.
Welcome Communication Campaign
OFYP has partnered with Enrollment Services Communication & Marketing in the Office of Admissions to update the Welcome/Next Steps letter sent to newly admitted first-year and transfer students for the 2026–27 academic year. The updated letter is now in circulation to admitted students.
Student Leadership Team (SLT) Update
The NSM Student Leadership Team (SLT) has welcomed more than 30 new student leaders for the 2025–2026 academic year, bringing the team to a total of 54 members. The SLT supports first-time-in-college and new transfer students through mentorship, academic workshops, and Study Nights designed to strengthen academic success and community within NSM.
The team held its first general meeting on September 11 and a second on October 2. Based on participant feedback, both meetings were engaging, interactive, and fostered strong connections among members. Leadership Council members also hosted Service Area Meetings to share program updates, complete team tasks, and enhance collaboration.
How to Study Workshop
On September 18, OFYP staff and eight SLT members hosted the first How to Study Workshop, drawing approximately 20 student participants. The session provided strategies and tools to help students develop effective study habits for STEM courses.
Study Nights
OFYP staff, SEP embedded tutors, and SLT members facilitated two highly attended Study Nights: Calculus I on September 24 with about 80 students, and Chemistry I on September 25 with approximately 96 students. These collaborative sessions provided students with academic support and opportunities to connect with peers and mentors.
teachHOUSTON Updates
Awards and Recognition
Congratulations to Paige Evans, recipient of the 2025 NSM Faculty Award for Excellence in Service, honoring her exceptional dedication to students, colleagues, the College, the University, and the Houston community.
Congratulations to Dr. Karen Graham McIntush, who was elected to serve as a Faculty Council Member representing the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
teachHOUSTON faculty were also recently published in the American Journal of STEM Education (Vol. 16, pp. 33–58, 2025). Their article, “Secondary Urban STEM Teacher Candidates’ Perceptions of the Impact of a Culturally Responsive Classroom Management Course,” was co-authored by Dr. Karen Graham McIntush, Mrs. Ramona Mateer, and Dr. Paige Evans.
teachHOUSTON Receives Numerous Grants
teachHOUSTON received a $135,000 grant from General Motors in support of the GEMI Project — Growing, Engaging, Modernizing, and Improving STEM Teacher Development. The project, led by Drs. Paige Evans, Karen Graham McIntush, and Jacqueline Ekeoba, will expand outreach activities that promote STEM teacher preparation and engagement.
Additionally, teachHOUSTON was awarded a $329,308 grant from the National Science Foundation for the project “Collaborative Research: Improving Teacher Retention and Effectiveness through Knowledge Sharing (iTREKS): Studying STEM Teachers in High-Need Schools Across a Community of Practice.” This initiative addresses the critical need to recruit, prepare, and retain highly effective secondary STEM teachers in high-need school districts.
Conferences and Presentations
- September 3: Dr. Karen Graham McIntush and Mrs. Ramona Mateer represented teachHOUSTON at the Houston Region Teacher Pipeline Community of Practice, focused on the implications of Texas House Bill 2 for teacher preparation and certification programs.
- September 11: Drs. Mariam Afzal Manuel and Jacqueline Ekeoba (Department of Mathematics) presented “The Role of Mentorship in Preparing Future STEM Teachers” at the Texas HSRUs & HSIs: STEAM Research Showcase hosted by Texas A&M University. The collaborative project, conducted with Drs. Jerrod Henderson (Engineering), Bereket Mego (Biomedical Engineering), and Michelle Carroll Turpin (College of Medicine), explored layered mentorship as a means of strengthening teacher preparation and professional identity.
- September 18: Dr. Jacqueline Ekeoba participated in the St. Elmo Brady Academy five-day mentor training, presenting on the foundations of STEM teaching and the use of inquiry in mentorship and instruction.
- September 19: Drs. Paige Evans, Karla Garza, and Mrs. Ramona Mateer attended the Houston Advisory Teacher Collaborative (HATC) meeting at the UH Sugar Land campus. The meeting focused on field placement opportunities for certification-seeking students and updates related to Texas House Bill 2.
Teacher Interest Group: Building Strong Working Relationships
On September 12, teachHOUSTON hosted a Teacher Interest Group (TIG) session facilitated by Dr. Karla Adelina Garza for NSM preservice secondary STEM teachers. Dr. Jeffrey Keese, Assistant Professor of Teacher Leadership and Director of the Teacher Leadership Ed.S. and Coaching Endorsement Programs at Mercer University’s Tift College of Education, led a discussion on building positive working relationships during teaching fieldwork.
Part of the NSF-funded UH-ACCESS Grant Program, this TIG session offered support and insight to preservice teachers on how to use leadership and collaboration to drive meaningful change in schools.
teachHOUSTON Supports NSM Career Center
On September 16, Mr. KaDarrius James, Program Director, represented teachHOUSTON at the NSM Career Fair, sharing information about the program’s pathways and opportunities with NSM students.
Career Center Updates
The NSM Career Center launched the Fall 2025 recruiting season with record student engagement and strong employer partnerships.
Resume Review Event (Sept. 3)
Representatives from Sysco, CAPCO, and the Houston-Galveston Area Council joined NSM faculty and staff to provide resume feedback to 186 students. Career Counselor Lee Ann Lawrence also completed 521 resume and cover letter reviews and met individually with 21 students.
#Prepare4TheFair Workshop (Sept. 10)
Led by Director Dawnelle Prince, the workshop drew over 200 students, offering guidance on professional attire, recruiter communication, and company research.
Career Fair & Grad School Expo (Sept. 16)
The event welcomed 941 students and 62 employers, including Sysco, TC Energy, and NOV. Supported by 53 student volunteers and NSM staff, the fair showcased the professionalism of NSM students.
FBI Info Session (Sept. 23)
Thirty-two students participated in the interactive “Broken Strings” cybersecurity simulation and learned about FBI tech career pathways.
Sysco Info Session (Sept. 25)
Sixty-seven students explored internships in technology, data analytics, and environmental science.