Welcome To The College of Public Service
Support the College of Public Service
Your contribution helps develop educators, social workers, and criminal justice professionals who uplift our communities through service.
Give to CPS1002 Commerce Street Suite 420
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone Numbers:
General: 713-221-5019
Fax: 713-223-7440
CPS Advising: 713-221-8906
Undergraduate Admissions: 713-221-8522
Graduate Admissions: 713-221-8093
Upcoming CPS Sponsored Events
Stop Playing Defense: Creating Community Ownership in Response to Gentrification
Join Houston entrepreneur Erik Ibarra as he shares how his personal journey with displacement
(growing up in the East End neighborhood where his family was displaced and later
again as a young professional when his warehouse loft was demolished) led to the creation
of Magnolia Fund, a bold new model for community ownership in response to gentrification.
Discover how neighborhoods can stop playing defense and start building real wealth
for their residents.
Wednesday, October 29th from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
For More Information
in-person in C100 and via Zoom
Erik Ibarra
Grab a Slice and Save a Life
Every 3–4 minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a condition that may be treated with a transplant, yet most patients do not have a match within their family. Despite having over 9 million registered donors, many patients—especially those from diverse backgrounds—still struggle to find a match.
Join us to learn how NMDP is expanding access, advancing health equity, and bringing hope to patients and families everywhere. Together, we can transform the future of cell therapy.
Thursday, November 5th from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Gaytri Kapoor
Empowering Every Learner: A Community Conversation on Special Education
Join us for an insightful panel discussion with Urban Education faculty members as they share their personal stories, professional experiences, and advocacy work for the dis/Ability community. Together, we’ll explore common myths and misconceptions, address questions from the community, and offer new perspectives on special education.
As a parent of a child with special needs, Dr. Ashwini Tiwari will reflect on his advocacy work for individuals with disabilities in India. Dr. Bernardo Pohl will share his experiences living with a disability while also teaching special education. Dr. Stackhouse will share her experiences as a bilingual special educator in Title I schools and the common misconceptions between the fine lines of language and misidentification of students during the SPED evaluation process. Dr. Sagarika Kosaraju, who is both a parent and a special educator, will discuss supporting a neurodivergent teen in a high school gifted program. Dr. Michelle Silvers, a family member of someone with a disability, will offer her personal insights into living with non-visible disabilities.
This event marks the beginning of a two-part dialogue focusing on the social and cultural impacts of disability on individuals, families, and communities.
Monday, November 10th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
For More Information
in C100 and via Zoom
Dr. Ashwini Tiwari
Urban Education Department Chair and Professor
Dr. Bernardo Pohl
Assistant Chair of Graduate Studies and Professor of Social Studies
Dr. Elizabeth Stackhouse
Assistant Chair of Undergraduate Studies
and Assistant Professor
Dr. Sagarika Kosaraju
Assistant Professor of Special Education
Dr. Michelle Silvers
Assistant Professor of Special Education
When Loss is Traumatic: Reflections from Life and Research
UHD Social Work professor, Dr. Liza Barros-Lane, knows how profoundly life can shift
when loss comes without warning. In 2020, her husband died in a tragic boating accident,
an event that reshaped her identity and her world. Since then, she has explored what
it means to mourn a loved one when the death is sudden, accidental, intentional, violent,
or deeply tragic.
This three-part series weaves together her personal story and traumatic bereavement
research to explore how trauma complicates grief, and how people find ways to survive
and slowly rebuild their lives in the aftermath of devastating loss.
Part 3: Carrying Grief into the Holidays
Thursday, November 20th from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
For More Information
All events are both in-person in C100 and via Zoom.
Dr. Liza Barros-Lane
The UHD Law Enforcement Academy (LEA) provides peace officer training courses in a professional environment.
Mallett Undergraduate Student Teaching Scholarship
The Mallett Scholarship is available to undergraduate students entering the semester
of student teaching. Students who meet the initial requirements are eligible to apply
for the $3,500 scholarship.
Due Dates: end of November for spring awards and end of March for fall awards.
Mission
The University of Houston-Downtown College of Public Service educates and develops public servants, advocates, and leaders in criminal justice, education, and social work.
Vision
The College of Public Service is a nexus of community-driven engagement, empowering tomorrow's leaders to create a just and equitable society through public policy, collaborative action, and educational practice.
"Hello gators, with the Fall semester in full swing and you have any advising questions for us please let us know. We are here for you."
Bachelor's Degrees