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HISD Expands Partnership with Hazel Health to Offer No-Cost Care at Every Campus
By Houston Daily | May 6, 2024
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) is set to offer no-cost telehealth care at every campus and Sunrise Center in the district, in partnership with Hazel Health. According to Najah Callendar, senior executive director of external engagement for HISD, "Hazel Health’s telemedicine services are one of the most exciting components of our Continuum of Care approach, and we’re thrilled to make these supports available to every student in the district."As part of the expansion, HISD is investing $1.8 million to provide telehealth services for every student at no cost,...
HISD Valedictorians and Salutatorians Honored at Scholars Recognition Ceremony
By Houston Daily | May 2, 2024
HISD’s highest achieving high school seniors were acknowledged at the Scholars Recognition Ceremony held at Delmar Fieldhouse on April 30. The event celebrated the valedictorians and salutatorians of the 2023-2024 academic year, recognizing their dedication to academic excellence in front of a supportive audience of peers, family, and educators.The ceremony commenced with a presentation of colors and the pledge of allegiance by Bellaire High School JROTC, setting a patriotic tone for the event. HISD’s Director of Counseling, Karen Young-Jones, extended a warm welcome to...
Mental Health Expert Raises Alarm as Mental Health Awareness Month Arrives
By Houston Daily | May 1, 2024
As Mental Health Awareness Month begins in May, experts are raising concerns about the declining state of mental health in society. Rheeda Walker, a psychology professor at the University of Houston specializing in mental health and suicide prevention, expressed alarm at the current situation, stating, “The overall mental health of our society seems to be declining, and it’s alarming.”According to a nationwide survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association, adults ages 18 to 34 reported the highest rate of mental illnesses at 50%...
Earth Day brings volunteers to HISD’s Mykawa Farm for day of service
By Houston Daily | Apr 30, 2024
Nutrition Services CTM Marcus Glenn expressed his gratitude towards the volunteers who participated in the Earth Day celebration at HISD’s Mykawa Farm. He noted, “It’s cool for the volunteers who’ve come out before to look and see the work they did last time. It makes them want to help out more. We’re looking forward to bringing kids out this fall and showing them the work that volunteers with The Mission Continues and CarMax did today for our Earth Day celebration.”The day of service saw more than 70 volunteers from local organizations The Mission Continues and CarMax...
In Memoriam: Former Optometry Dean and Provost Jerald W. Strickland
By Houston Daily | Apr 30, 2024
Former University of Houston provost, dean of the College of Optometry and assistant vice chancellor for International Studies and Programs, Jerald W. Strickland, has passed away at the age of 87. Strickland, who also served as an optometry officer in the U.S. Air Force Medical Service Corp, had a long and illustrious career at the University of Houston.For more than 35 years, Dean Strickland dedicated himself to the University of Houston, leaving a legacy of national accomplishment in optometry, vision science, and community service. As Michael Twa, the current dean of...
Under Examination: Buckling – When Structures Suddenly Collapse
By Houston Daily | Apr 30, 2024
In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Roberto Ballarini, a prominent figure in Civil and Environmental Engineering, has made significant strides in predicting the effects of geometric imperfections on thin-walled structures."We derived equations that allow us to predict the resistance to buckling of structures in terms of the parameters that are involved including the shapes and distribution of their imperfections," explained Ballarini. The study, coauthored by Ballarini, doctoral student Zheren Baizhikova, and Jia-Liang Le...
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program wraps up successful year of nutrition education in HISD
By Houston Daily | Apr 29, 2024
The USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, commonly known as FFVP, has concluded a successful year of providing fresh fruit and vegetable snacks to elementary school students in the Houston Independent School District (HISD). The program also included educational components led by chefs and certified nutritionists aimed at teaching students about the origins of their food and the possibility of growing their own healthy snacks at home.On the final day of the program at Sherman Elementary, students had the opportunity to enjoy juicy watermelon chunks, a favorite among...
University of Houston Hydride Research Pushes Frontiers of Practical, Accessible Superconductivity
By Houston Daily | Apr 29, 2024
Science is taking a significant step forward in the realm of superconductivity, thanks to the groundbreaking work led by Xiaojia Chen at the University of Houston. Chen, the M.D. Anderson Professor of Physics at UH’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, expressed the importance of easing the critical controls currently required for superconductors, stating, “It has long been superconductivity researchers’ goal to ease or even eliminate the critical controls currently required regarding temperature and pressure.”The research, conducted in collaboration with a...
HISD Celebrates Community Volunteers at 53rd Annual VIPS Awards Ceremony
By Houston Daily | Apr 26, 2024
HISD recently hosted its 53rd annual Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) Awards Ceremony to honor the contributions of volunteers from various sectors within the community. The event, which took place on April 25, saw a gathering of volunteers including parents, teachers, community members, and students who were recognized for their dedication and service.Najah Callander, Senior Executive Director of External Engagement with HISD’s Family and Community Engagement Department, emphasized the significance of volunteers in HISD schools, stating, “Volunteers are so important...
2024 UH Faculty Awards Recognize Teaching, Research, Service
By Houston Daily | Apr 26, 2024
The University of Houston recently honored its outstanding faculty members at the 2024 Faculty Awards ceremony, acknowledging their dedication to teaching, research, and service. The event celebrated the achievements of educators who have made significant contributions to the university and the community.One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Esther Farfel Award, the highest faculty honor at UH, to Zhifeng Ren, the Paul C. W. Chu and May P. Chern Endowed Chair in Condensed Matter Physics. Ren expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating,...
Sustainable Clean Future Possible with Innovative High-Energy-Density Capacitors
By Houston Daily | Apr 24, 2024
In a recent breakthrough, a multi-university research team, including experts from the University of Houston, Jackson State University, and Howard University, has made significant strides in capacitor technology. The team's innovative work has led to the development of a new type of flexible high-energy-density capacitor, holding great promise for various industries.Capacitors are crucial components in electronic devices and energy storage systems, known for their ability to discharge high amounts of energy quickly. Alamgir Karim, a prominent figure in the research team,...
Life Goals and Their Changes Drive Success
By Houston Daily | Apr 22, 2024
The existence of high prestige and education goals, as well as their positive development, can drive success. A study conducted by the University of Houston reveals that the evolution of life goals from adolescence to young adulthood plays a significant role in shaping future outcomes. Associate professor of psychology at the University of Houston, Rodica Damian, emphasizes the importance of life goals, stating, "Life goals are expected to change over time and these changes are expected to have consequences for future life outcomes, including occupational outcomes."The...
Energy and Sustainability Department Launches Zero-Waste Initiative at HISD
By Houston Daily | Apr 19, 2024
HISD’s Energy and Sustainability Department is making strides towards a waste-free future with its collaborative Zero-Waste Initiative. Analyst Stephanie Walker and her team have been working diligently to educate and inspire teachers and administrators across HISD campuses."The initiation of the zero-waste program at HISD was inspired by the District’s commitment to environmental stewardship," stated Walker. "We aim to achieve several key goals throughout this initiative, including reducing the amount of waste sent to the landfills, minimizing the District’s...
Texas Music Festival Announces 33rd Season at the University of Houston
By Houston Daily | Apr 18, 2024
The Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival is set to return for its 33rd season at the University of Houston's Moores School of Music from June 4 to June 22, 2024. The festival, a platform for classical and jazz music, promises intensive musical training for aspiring musicians and over 25 public performances for the community to enjoy.Highlighted in the 2024 season are performances by acclaimed artists such as the Formosa Quartet, pianists Kenny Broberg, William Wolfram, and Vadym Kholodenko, who will grace the stage alongside the Festival Orchestra and Festival...
Kaushik Rajashekara Elected International Fellow of the Engineering Academy of Japan
By Houston Daily | Apr 18, 2024
Kaushik Rajashekara, a Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, has been elected as an International Fellow of the Engineering Academy of Japan. He is being recognized for his significant contributions to power conversion and the electrification of transportation.According to the academy, Rajashekara's election as an International Fellow is in honor of his outstanding scientific research and technical developments in the field of energy, focusing on promoting greater efficiency and environmental security for energy...
Pradeep Sharma Wins PNAS Cozzarelli Prize for Paper on Musical Perception
By Houston Daily | Apr 17, 2024
Pradeep Sharma, the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Professor of Mechanical Engineering and interim dean of the Cullen College of Engineering, has been awarded the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) 2023 Cozzarelli Prize for his groundbreaking paper on musical perception.Sharma's paper, titled "A minimal physics-based model for musical perception," delves into the intricate world of musical perception and seeks to answer the question of why some individuals have a superior ability to hear music compared to others. The paper...
HISD’s Counseling Department Hosts Virtual Career Information Sessions
By Houston Daily | Apr 17, 2024
HISD’s Counseling Department is hosting two virtual Career Information Sessions for those interested in becoming a school counselor in the District. The sessions are scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 30, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., and on Tuesday, May 21, from 4 to 5 p.m.According to the HISD’s Counseling Department, the sessions will provide crucial information on various aspects related to the career path, including the recruitment and selection process, eligibility requirements, compensation, and benefits. In the words of the department, "Sessions will include...
Nourishing Hope and Success: Cougar Cupboard Expands to Meet Growing Demand
By Houston Daily | Apr 16, 2024
In January 2020, the Cougar Cupboard first opened its doors at the University of Houston to address food insecurity among students. The program manager, Jessica Haney, reflects on the rapid growth of the initiative, stating, “We went from a few hundred visits per semester to a few thousand visits and gradually took over some offices, but we just couldn’t expand that space any further.”With a 1900% increase in usage from Fall 2020 to Spring 2023, the Cougar Cupboard initiated a search for a new, larger space. Now, after nearly a year, the cupboard is moving to University...
HISD students showcase creativity in 37th Annual Art Car Parade
By Houston Daily | Apr 16, 2024
Students from 26 HISD campuses recently participated in the 37th Annual Art Car Parade in Houston, showcasing their creative talents to the community. The event, which had been canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, saw students collaborating to design and build unique Art Cars that wowed spectators along the parade route.One of the participating schools, Parker Elementary School, took inspiration from NASA astronaut Shannon Walker for their space-themed Art Car. Art teacher Julie Dickinson shared, “Projects like Art Car have tremendous value in the lives of all people,...
UH’s Mielad Ziaee Named 2024 Truman Scholar
By Houston Daily | Apr 15, 2024
Student Mielad Ziaee has been named the 2024 Truman Scholar from the University of Houston, making him just the third recipient of this prestigious scholarship from the institution. Ziaee's dedication to public service and academic excellence has earned him this esteemed recognition.Ziaee expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunities that come with the Truman Scholarship, stating, “I’m excited to engage with changemakers, stakeholders, and leaders at all levels of public service—to both learn new topics and continue to grow my expertise in others.” He also highlighted...