When University of Houston-Clear Lake graduate Alec Broadhurst walks into work each day at Intuitive Machines, he's contributing to software systems designed to support future space missions and sustained human presence on the moon.

Just a year ago, he was a UHCL computer science student searching for internship opportunities. The connection that helped launch his career started with a message from the UHCL Center for Career Development.

"I first learned about the opportunity through an email from the UHCL Career Center advertising a fall 2025 internship," said Broadhurst, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science during UHCL's Spring 2026 Commencement. "After completing the internship, I was offered a full-time position with the same team following graduation."

His journey reflects the mission of UHCL's Center for Career Development: helping students transform their education into meaningful career opportunities.

Building career readiness from day one

The Center for Career Development supports students from the moment they enroll through graduation and even into their alumni years. Services include resume and cover letter assistance, mock interviews, networking skill development, career exploration, and job and internship search support.

During the 2024-25 academic year, the center's most requested services were resume assistance, job search assistance, and internship search assistance. The office also engaged approximately 1,500 students through career fairs, employer panels, networking mixers, and professional development workshops.

According to Dr. LaMar Black, director of the Center for Career Development, the center's work is most effective when students engage early in their academic journey.

"The Career Center offers students opportunities to become workforce-ready through our services and events held throughout the academic year," Black said. "Unfortunately, many students wait until their junior or senior year to engage with our office, which isn't the most effective approach. Career readiness happens in multiple phases, and the earlier students begin the process, the better positioned they are for success in the workforce."

To encourage that early engagement, the Career Center proactively connects with students shortly after enrollment.

"We take a proactive approach to student engagement by reaching out as soon as students are enrolled," Black said. "Our goal is to highlight our services and emphasize the value of meeting with their career coach early, so they can gain a clearer understanding of the steps they should be taking now to prepare for the positions they hope to pursue in the future."

Connecting students with industry

One of the Career Center's greatest strengths is its ability to connect students with employers across the Houston region.

Among the center's top non-education employers in 2024-25 were MD Anderson Cancer Center, Amentum, Houston Methodist-Clear Lake, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), and Space Center Houston. Leading education employers included Pasadena Independent School District (ISD), Galena Park ISD, Houston ISD, Clear Creek ISD, and Alvin ISD.

For students interested in aerospace and technology careers, UHCL's location in the heart of Houston's aerospace corridor offers unique advantages. Broadhurst chose UHCL because of those opportunities.

"I grew up in the Clear Lake area and was familiar with the university's strong connections to the aerospace industry," he said. "Its proximity to major aerospace companies and its relationship with NASA made it an appealing place to pursue my degree."

That same proximity is one reason Intuitive Machines actively recruits UHCL students.

"The primary reason we had interest in partnering with UHCL is that we try our best to make sure that we're tapping into the local ecosystem," said Clifton Miller, senior talent acquisition specialist at Intuitive Machines.

Miller noted that many current employees are UHCL alumni and that the university's location, just minutes from the company's headquarters, makes the relationship a natural fit.

"With UHCL being 10 to 15 minutes down the road, it just makes sense," Miller said.

He also sees a strong pipeline of talent emerging from the university.

"There's a good pipeline of engineering and software engineering talent coming out of UHCL," Miller said.

Turning opportunities into careers

For Broadhurst, the internship that began through the Career Center became the foundation for a full-time career in the space industry.

Today, he develops embedded Linux software for payload systems supporting space missions.

"My experience at UHCL gave me both the technical foundation and problem-solving mindset needed to work in the aerospace industry," Broadhurst said. "The computer science curriculum helped me build a strong understanding of software engineering principles, operating systems, and low-level computing concepts."

Miller said employers increasingly value students who can demonstrate practical application of their classroom learning through internships, projects, and hands-on experiences.

"Having a complete personal project that I could discuss in detail during interviews was extremely valuable," Broadhurst said. "It allowed me to demonstrate technical skills and my ability to see a project through from start to finish."

Those experiences helped distinguish him during the hiring process and prepared him for the demands of mission-critical software development.

"What excites me most is the opportunity to learn how these mission-critical systems are designed and built," Broadhurst said. "Contributing to technology that supports sustained human presence in space and on the moon is challenging and rewarding."

A resource for life

The Career Center's support does not end at graduation. Alumni may schedule up to three career appointments after attaining alumni status and continue to access Jobs4Hawks, the university's career portal, where employer partners regularly post opportunities.

For Broadhurst, the value of the Career Center is clear.

“I would recommend the UHCL Career Center because it provides students with access to valuable opportunities and industry connections," he said. "In my case, an internship opportunity shared through the Career Center ultimately led to my full-time position after graduation."

As UHCL continues to expand programs in high-demand fields and strengthen relationships with employers across the region, the Center for Career Development remains a key link between classroom learning and career success, helping students envision their futures and take the steps necessary to achieve them.

Whether students are searching for their first internship, preparing for graduation, or planning their next professional move, the UHCL Center for Career Development provides the tools, guidance, and industry connections to help them succeed. Learn more about available services and upcoming opportunities at www.uhcl.edu/career-development/.

Just a few years ago, Andrew Gallaher was unsure whether he could pursue a degree in physics. Today, the University of Houston-Clear Lake graduate is helping support one of NASA's most iconic scientific missions.

Weeks after earning his Bachelor of Science in Physics from UHCL, Gallaher accepted a position at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, located in Maryland just outside of Washington, D.C. At Goddard, he serves as an engineer on the Hubble Space Telescope operations team supporting the Optical Telescope Assembly group.

His journey from a student who questioned his own abilities to an engineer contributing to humanity's exploration of space was shaped by perseverance, mentorship, and a willingness to embrace opportunities as they appeared.

Finding the right launchpad

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Gallaher knew he wanted to build a future in aerospace. Houston's reputation as the center of American human spaceflight made attending UHCL an easy decision.

"Coming from Detroit, I wanted to make the move somewhere that had more aerospace opportunities, as Michigan is 95% automotive," he said. "Everyone knows Houston is the hub of spaceflight, so seeing UHCL next door to the Johnson Space Center (JSC) made it a no-brainer."

Although he began college as a computer science major, his academic direction changed after enrolling in physics courses taught by UHCL faculty who helped him see a future he had not previously considered.

"I always knew I had a passion for physics, though I never felt like I was smart enough to pursue it," Gallaher said. "When taking University Physics I and II with Dr. Evan Richards, he was so passionate about every detail, and he really made me feel like physics was an achievable academic path."

That encouragement became a turning point, setting Gallaher on a path that would eventually lead to NASA.

The people who opened doors

When Gallaher reflects on the people who helped shape his career, one person stands out.

"Bernadina (Bernie) Streeter, program manager from UHCL's Office of Strategic Partnerships, is easily the biggest influence on where I am today," he said. "Starting from the moment I met her, she made it her goal to help me achieve my dream of working at NASA."

Through the Strategic Partnerships office, Gallaher secured an internship with KBR supporting NASA's JSC. What began as a student opportunity evolved into more than two years of hands-on experience supporting mission operations and flight control teams.

"When an opportunity opened up at KBR, contracting to JSC, Bernie Streeter was a key player in getting me that position," Gallaher said. "I owe the opportunities I have today to Bernie and her team at UHCL."

He also credits the university's physics faculty for helping him balance the demands of a rigorous academic program with the responsibilities of supporting active NASA projects.

"The entire physics faculty was supportive of me throughout my time in the program," Gallaher said. "Whenever I had scheduling conflicts, such as working on Artemis II, they were beyond flexible and worked with me on any missed classes or other conflicts."

Their support allowed him to gain valuable professional experience without losing momentum in the classroom.

Turning classroom lessons into real-world impact

Gallaher's education at UHCL provided both technical expertise and the problem-solving mindset required for complex aerospace work. His computer science coursework introduced him to programming languages such as Python, skills he later applied at JSC to develop computational tools for orbital navigation calculations. Those tools continue to support Boeing CST-100 Starliner rendezvous-and-docking missions and simulations involving the International Space Station (ISS).

At the same time, his physics education strengthened his ability to analyze and solve difficult problems.

"Physics gave me irreplaceable skills in problem-solving," Gallaher said. "Every day at NASA, I encounter a new problem, whether mathematically or another complex issue. UHCL taught me how to approach solving those problems from start to finish."

During his internship, Gallaher contributed to several high-profile projects, including an orbital trajectory display for Boeing's CST-100 Starliner, a docking camera display supporting Artemis II operations, and virtual reality training environments that recreated ISS emergency scenarios for astronauts.

Among those experiences, one opportunity stands above the rest.

"Creating the docking camera display presented me the opportunity to support the real Artemis II mission on console in the Mission Control Center, an experience I will never forget," Gallaher said.

Persevering through self-doubt

Despite his accomplishments, Gallaher said his path through college was far from easy.

"Every day," he said when asked whether he faced challenges during his academic journey. "In almost every physics class, I never felt like I was as knowledgeable as I was supposed to be."

Rather than allowing those doubts to stop him, he embraced the reality that growth often comes through struggle.

"I would tell myself that physics is supposed to be hard," he said. "This meant lots of late nights doing homework, studying for exams, and learning more about each topic. It was years of doubt and struggle, but I did it."

Balancing coursework with professional responsibilities required discipline and resilience. Some days began with work at JSC, continued with evening classes at UHCL, and ended with overnight Artemis II mission simulations.

"There were days I would go on-site at JSC, work from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., go to class at UHCL from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., then back to JSC for a second-shift Artemis simulation," he said.

The demanding schedule taught him lessons in time management and perseverance that continue to serve him in his professional career.

Reaching for new frontiers

Today, Gallaher has begun a new chapter at Goddard Space Flight Center, where he works on operations supporting the Hubble Space Telescope.

For someone who has long been fascinated by space exploration, the opportunity is professionally rewarding and personally meaningful.

"Space telescopes have always been interesting to me — the forefront of answering the universe's unanswered questions," he said. "Getting the opportunity to try out a different side of spaceflight has been really interesting so far."

The move also brings him closer to family in Detroit. Yet beyond any individual mission or position, Gallaher's motivation remains rooted in a lifelong passion for exploration.

"I have always been passionate about spaceflight," he said. "The idea of humanity leaving this planet and crossing new frontiers, with the goal of making life interplanetary."

A message for Hawks

Gallaher hopes current and future students recognize that ambitious goals often seem impossible until someone commits to pursuing them.

"Don't tell yourself it's impossible. Nothing is truly impossible," he said. "I went from almost not graduating high school to working at NASA."

His advice is simple: find something exciting and stay committed to it, even when the path becomes difficult.

"Find something you are passionate about, academically or professionally, and tell yourself that you will get there, no matter what," Gallaher said.

When asked what role UHCL played in helping him reach his goals, he answered without hesitation.

"UHCL is the sole reason I am the person I am today," Gallaher said. "From the team in the Strategic Partnerships office believing in me and supporting me the past two-plus years, to the professors who pushed me to do my best. I genuinely owe it all to UHCL."

Andrew Gallaher’s story serves as a reminder that remarkable careers are rarely built in a single moment. They are built through persistence, mentorship, hard work, and a willingness to seize opportunities as they arise. For Gallaher, those qualities helped transform a dream of working in spaceflight into a career supporting some of NASA's most critical missions.

Ready to turn your passion into a career? Discover how UHCL's Physics Program and Office of Strategic Partnerships connect students with hands-on experience, industry mentors, and opportunities that can launch extraordinary futures at www.uhcl.edu/science-engineering/departments/mathematical-applied-and-physical-sciences/physics/ and www.uhcl.edu/strategic-partnerships/.

For 10 University of Houston-Clear Lake students, saying “yes” to an unpaid internship this spring came with a cost: fewer work hours, tighter budgets, and added financial pressure.

The UHCL Bright Futures Intern Scholarship helped ease that burden, providing up to $1,300 to students completing unpaid, credit-based internships in their fields of study. Created to reduce financial barriers and expand access to hands-on learning, the scholarship supports students who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled in qualifying internship courses.

This semester’s recipients are Xiomarica Crawley, Areli Gorrostieta, Alexandra Benitez Briseno, Esmeralda Bustos, Evelyn Castillo, Andrea Gutierrez, Carmen Gutierrez Hernandez, Katherine Mai, Akpene Yaa Dawa Sekyi, and Carylon Wyant.

For many of them, the award was more than financial assistance; it was reassurance that their decision to pursue hands-on experience was possible.

Choosing growth over a paycheck

Esmeralda Bustos, a communication major completing her final semester, said accepting an unpaid internship carried significant risk.

“Receiving this scholarship honestly took a huge weight off my shoulders,” she said. “I chose to accept an unpaid internship at Texas Weddings Magazine during my final semester because I knew it would give me the real-world experience I needed for my career. But that decision also meant losing two to three days of income each week.”

With rent, car payments, utilities, groceries, gas, and medical expenses to cover, Bustos said the financial gap felt overwhelming. The Bright Futures Intern Scholarship helped close that gap.

“After receiving the scholarship, I was able to shift my focus,” she said. “I could walk into my internship thinking about how to grow, contribute, and learn, not how I was going to pay for my next specialist appointment or make up missed work hours.”

Bustos has balanced school, two jobs, an unpaid internship, and ongoing health appointments. She said the scholarship did not erase every challenge, but it gave her “breathing room,” space to prioritize her health while staying committed to graduating strong.

“There have been afternoons when I would normally be clocking in at one of my jobs, and instead I was fully present at my internship,” she said. “Instead of rushing out or worrying about lost wages, I could stay engaged in conversations, ask questions, and really absorb what I was learning.”

Her internship has also marked a shift in how she sees herself professionally. While previous roles at Burlington, Kroger, and 7Brew strengthened her adaptability and communication skills, she said the internship has helped her think more critically and communicate in a manner aligned with her degree.

“It’s helped me start seeing myself not just as a student or employee, but as a future professional,” Bustos said.

A renewed sense of purpose

For Katherine Mai, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education, the scholarship motivated her at a pivotal moment in her academic journey.

“When receiving the scholarship, I was overjoyed, and it did boost my motivation to continue my schooling,” she said. After taking a long break from school, she admitted she was “a bit rusty,” and the financial support eased her transition back into academic life.

Mai, who is completing a teaching internship at the Pearland Independent School District (ISD), said the scholarship allowed her to focus more fully on her responsibilities without the same financial strain. Before receiving the award, she had paused therapy sessions for one to two months due to cost. With the additional support, she felt more confident and healthier in pursuing her needs without guilt.

“I am also caring for my sick grandfather, and he found joy in the fact that I was able to receive this scholarship,” she said, explaining that it gave her family hope and encouragement during a difficult time.

During her internship, Mai said she learned the importance of vigilance, flexibility, and giving herself grace under pressure.

“When it came to teaching, I felt I had to maximize every outlet possible to cater to someone else’s family and child while neglecting my own because I was too overstimulated,” she said. “There will always be a tomorrow with endless to-dos. It’s just important to refresh perspective to make it more manageable.”

Being named a Bright Futures Intern Scholarship recipient, Mai added, means knowing that “someone truly empathizes with my situation and that I am not without resources.”

Investing in opportunity

The Bright Futures Intern Scholarship specifically supports students participating in unpaid internships tied to academic credit, with preference given to those who demonstrate financial need through FAFSA or TASFA applications. Awards are based on available funding and student interest. For this spring’s recipients, the impact extends beyond an award. It has meant the difference between turning down an opportunity and stepping fully into it.

Bustos said receiving the scholarship gave her the confidence to pursue an unpaid internship that once felt out of reach.

“Choosing an unpaid internship felt risky,” she said. “Receiving the scholarship reminded me that someone believed in my potential enough to invest in it. That gave me confidence to keep pushing forward instead of playing it safe.”

She hopes other students facing similar pressures will apply.

“Balancing work, school, health, and finances isn’t easy,” Bustos said. “But there are resources out there, and applying for help doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re determined. Don’t count yourself out before giving yourself a chance.”

Bernie Streeter, Strategic Partnerships program manager, said that the Bright Futures Intern Scholarship does more than ease financial stress. It empowers students to remain focused, complete their degrees, and fully engage in meaningful, real-world work within the industries they have worked so hard to enter.

“By reducing economic barriers, we create space for recipients to grow, thrive, and step confidently into their professional purpose,” she said.

As the spring 2026 cohort continues their internships, the Bright Futures Intern Scholarship at UHCL serves as a reminder that experiential learning should be accessible and that sometimes, a single investment can open the door to a student’s next chapter.

Participating in an unpaid internship for academic credit this summer? Apply for scholarship funding to support your experience. Intern Scholarships are awarded every semester, and the summer 2026 application will be open from April 27 to May 29, 2026. Students can apply online by logging into E-Services and selecting “Financial Aid” to access UHCL scholarships.

 For more information about internship opportunities or the Bright Futures Intern Scholarship, contact Strategic Partnerships at strategicpartner@uhcl.edu or 281-283-2074.

For many students, college is about discovering what’s possible. For Sophia Goings, a third-year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Houston–Clear Lake, it has been about taking that discovery to the edge of space and beyond.

“I chose to attend UHCL because of its budding engineering programs and its location near Houston’s space industry,” she said. That decision has since opened doors she once only imagined, placing her in the heart of NASA’s training environment and on a trajectory toward supporting humanity’s return to the Moon.

Goings’ passion for engineering stems from her love of hardware design and its versatility across industries. “I chose to pursue Mechanical Engineering to pursue my passion for hardware design and gain skills applicable across various industries,” she said. At UHCL, that passion found room to grow in the classroom and through applied learning opportunities.

One of the defining aspects of Goings’ UHCL experience has been her leadership role with Space Hawks Rocketry, which she calls her favorite part of the university. Through hands-on involvement and student leadership, Sophia sharpened her technical skills and developed the confidence to aim higher.

That confidence paid off when she was introduced to UHCL’s Office of Strategic Partnerships. “I was originally referred to Strategic Partnerships by a friend who previously interned through them,” she shared. “Strategic Partnerships has been very supportive and helpful through interview processes, onboarding, and even managing my school workload.”

Through that support, Goings secured an internship at NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL), the very facility where astronauts train for spacewalks. For a UHCL student, the experience was nothing short of transformative.

“I am absolutely honored to work at the NBL alongside all the people who make spacewalking possible,” she said. During her time there, she supported the development of life support systems that keep astronauts alive while training underwater for lunar extravehicular activities (EVAs), helped maintain the space station’s robotic arm mockup, and even learned to scuba dive to support hardware testing in the pool.

Her coursework at UHCL proved essential in preparing her for the highly technical and demanding environment. “My coursework at UHCL prepared me technically for activities like scuba diving and working on life support systems through learning about pressurization, thermodynamics, engineering mechanics, data analytics, and lab safety,” Goings said.

Experiences like Goings’ highlight UHCL’s commitment to experiential learning and cross-disciplinary opportunities. “UHCL stands out with its commitment to providing students opportunities across various disciplines,” she added. “Partnerships as prestigious as those through NASA contractors prove that UHCL is devoted to ensuring its students have unmatched aerospace experiences and are developing perfect candidates for future leaders in the rapidly expanding world of spaceflight.”

Looking ahead, Goings’ ambitions remain boldly aimed skyward. After graduation, she plans to support NASA’s mission in establishing lunar permanence for humanity. In the spring of 2026, she will continue working with the NBL Critical Systems group and is already preparing for new and innovative lunar spacesuit testing.

Perhaps the most important lesson Goings has learned at UHCL goes beyond equations and lab work. “The most important thing I’ve learned at UHCL is how to make connections and pursue challenging opportunities," she said.

Her advice to fellow students reflects that mindset: “Just take the risk. Even if you think you don’t have the qualifications to contribute to missions as impactful as the moon landing, there is no downside in taking the risk of putting yourself out there and applying to do great things. You won’t know what opportunities lie ahead of you unless you take that first initial leap of faith.”

Sophia Goings’ story is ultimately about taking the leap. With UHCL providing the foundation, support, and opportunity, that leap carried her from campus to one of NASA’s most critical training environments, proving that extraordinary outcomes often begin with a single bold decision.

For more information about UHCL’s Mechanical Engineering program, visit www.uhcl.edu/science-engineering/departments/engineering/mechanical-engineering/. For more information about internships and opportunities, visit www.uhcl.edu/strategic-partnerships/.  

The popular notion is that an English literature degree results in limited career prospects but don’t tell that to Peggy Papadacos.

Papadacos is one example of how the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s approach to preparing students through applied learning and real-world experiences helps graduates turn their degrees into meaningful, high-impact careers.

Papadacos has built a highly successful career in the financial sector on the master’s degree in English Literature she earned from the UHCL in 1997. Beginning with work at the UHCL Writing Center and through a university-arranged internship that focused on actual on-the-job application, Papadacos gained the skills, mentorship, and professional exposure that provided the foundation for her career pathway ever since.

Today, Papadacos is a senior manager of financial management systems and solutions with the financial, data, and media giant Bloomberg in New York City. While earning her master’s in English literature, she worked in the UHCL Writing Center, where she sharpened her communication skills and gained confidence. Professors encouraged her to publish and present, providing her with a professional foundation that opened doors across various industries. A notable mentor was Craig White, Professor Emeritus of Literature.

Also, while at the Writing Center, she was recommended for an internship in the communications office at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, an opportunity made possible through UHCL’s professional networks and student support system. Through that internship, she received advice that moved her away from what she thought she wanted to do and onto the pathway where, she said, she needed to be.

As the internship was concluding, “I kept applying for jobs in public affairs and communications but wasn’t getting interviews or offers,” Papadacos said. “My supervisor gave me some great advice then: Go into journalism and be a reporter. Using time on a newspaper staff to hone my writing and editing skills would make me a very valuable employee in the communications field.”

It wasn’t what she wanted to do, but she recognized it was good advice. Papadacos then became the almost one-person staff of a suburban community newspaper and was told that if she performed well in that role, within three months, the owner would promote her to be the editor of all three community papers the company owned.

She was promoted after just one month.

And everything took off from there. After a few years in that position, a friend told her about a communications position that was perfect for her and she got it. She moved on to other communications positions within the financial sector, then fulfilled dual communications and project management/change management roles, most notably with JPMorgan Chase for 24 years. She also spent two years with Citibank and joined Bloomberg in mid-2024.

She notes her unique skill set was an asset to advancing her career. “Communications and writing, as well as being a well-organized leader who can manage complex projects, became my forte,” she said. “It made me a valued employee wherever I was.”

UHCL’s approach to supporting students also played a role, she said. “I earned my bachelor’s degree at a very large university (University of Texas at Austin) and felt I was just one of many. It was massive, and I didn’t feel like I got the guidance and direction I needed as an undergrad. It helped prompt me to go to graduate school.

“The smaller community of UHCL gave me so much more, not only from my professors but also from my fellow students, many of whom were working and were coming back to school.”

The bedrock of what she learned in the classroom was then refined in the Writing Center and the internship.

“First, the Writing Center was pivotal,” she said. “The camaraderie and knowledge we shared with one another were invaluable.

“Next, it was there (in the Writing Center) that I got the call about the UTMB internship. Without that internship and the guidance it provided, I don’t know that I would have had the career direction that I’ve experienced.”

For information about the UHCL Writing Center, go to https://www.uhcl.edu/writing-center/. For information about student internships, visit https://www.uhcl.edu/success-outcomes/internships.

For Alexis Garza, a University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) College of Business (COB) student, hands-on experience is the key to turning his legal aspirations into reality. With the support of UHCL’s Strategic Partnerships, Garza secured an internship at the international engineering company Oceaneering, where he is gaining real-world exposure to corporate law and building a foundation that will set him apart as he prepares for law school.

Garza chose UHCL because of its strong industry connections, convenient location and affordability – factors that made the university an ideal choice for his academic and professional ambitions. As he prepares to transition from his undergraduate studies to law school, Garza said he is taking a gap year to gain more practical experience in the legal field. His first internship at Oceaneering has already been invaluable in providing him with direct exposure to the legal complexities of a major corporation, such as witnessing the complex negotiating process and drafting contracts with some of the biggest aerospace companies in the industry.

“The scope of these contracts is much greater than what I encounter day-to-day at my current job,” said Garza. “It’s been an eye-opening experience to see how businesses navigate these large-scale agreements.”

Garza added that this internship has deepened his understanding of the business world and honed the essential skills necessary for his career. He has gained experience in negotiations, document management, and legal compliance, skills that will be critical in his future role as an attorney. He has also learned to parse massive documents to find relevant information, ensuring all legal and regulatory requirements are met.

“The internship has taught me the importance of attention to detail and following laws and regulations, especially in such a high-stakes environment,” Garza said.

Garza credits Strategic Partnerships for connecting him to this career-defining opportunity. The department’s staff helped him navigate the internship application process, providing guidance and mentorship every step of the way. He encourages fellow students to take advantage of this resource, which he believes is essential in securing professional opportunities.

Strategic Partnerships supports initiatives that enhance and increase experiential learning opportunities for UHCL students. Its current programs aim to increase participation in internships that help students prepare for their careers.

“UHCL and our partners are committed to shaping the next generation of professionals and leaders,” said Bernadina Streeter, program coordinator. “We strive to provide transformative opportunities that elevate our students and pave the way for future generations, ensuring a lasting legacy of success.”

As Garza approaches graduation, he is confident that the business skills he has developed at UHCL will serve as a strong foundation for his future legal career.

“I’m looking forward to eventually opening my own law firm, and I know the skills I’ve gained at UHCL will be instrumental in that journey,” he said.

For more information about Strategic Partnerships and internship opportunities, visit www.uhcl.edu/strategic-partnerships/. For more information about UHCL’s COB, visit www.uhcl.edu/business/.

Landing a coveted role at NASA is a dream for many, but for UHCL alumna Dana Gardner, it became reality through hard work, unmatched leadership, and the powerful support of UHCL’s partnerships. The opportunity presented itself in 2022 when KBR contacted the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s (UHCL) Health and Human Performance Institute (HHPI) to fill a temporary position at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC). At the time, Gardner was a graduate research assistant at HHPI, pursuing her Exercise and Health Sciences M.S. Today, she works at NASA as a full-time employee of UHCL.

“From the moment she joined us at HHPI, Dana demonstrated natural leadership, exceptional competence as both a scientist and practitioner, and an innate ability to take charge of situations, uplift a team, and change things for the better,” said Dr. William Amonette, HHPI’s executive director.

KBR regularly recruits interns from a broad range of universities in pursuit of diverse talent. In the spring of 2022, the KBR team lead for the Exercise Physiology and Countermeasures Laboratory (EPC), formerly the Human Physiology, Performance, Protection and Operations (H-3PO) lab, contacted Amonette to request a recommendation for an employee to fill a temporary scientific support position on the Human Health and Performance Contract (HHPC) at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Amonette immediately thought of Gardner, despite the significant void he knew she’d leave behind at HHPI. In May of 2022, Gardner began working at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in the EPC Lab.

The EPC Laboratory’s primary objective is to maintain and monitor crew health and performance capabilities before, during, and after spaceflight by optimizing exercise and non-exercise countermeasure systems for current ISS astronauts and future exploration missions. Lab employees serve a critical mission for NASA, optimizing human health and  the performance of crewmembers through research and operational support. As an employee, Gardner excelled in this and other areas, as her KBR discipline lead noted in a letter to Amonette.

“Dana’s willingness to step up and take action on a number of critical tasks that our lab needs to function safely and effectively have been critical to our operation,” the lead said. “Her leadership in ensuring we have operators trained, and quality documentation finalized for our equipment and testing, has been instrumental in our team being fully prepared to support our work.”

Gardner earned her Exercise and Health Sciences M.S. in December of 2022. Weeks before graduation, though, she was offered and accepted a full-time position with HHPC sub-contracted through UHCL. She has been working at NASA while sporting a UHCL badge ever since.

She returned to campus in the summer of 2024 as an alumna for a planning meeting about the Orion Flywheel study (exercise device for moon missions) to be conducted on campus at UHCL. Gardner is just one of many alumni who remain linked to the university and contribute to ongoing research efforts. Amonette, who is a Co-I on the Orion Flywheel project, also attended the meeting, where he observed more of her high-level performance.

“In a room filled with senior NASA scientists, she demonstrated the same critical thinking, expertise, and confidence that had impressed me three years ago as a student and a research assistant,” said Amonette. “I couldn’t have been prouder of her growth as both a scientist and a leader—though I wasn’t surprised in the least.”

Gardner is among seven employees currently working under HHPI’s contract with KBR. Throughout the partnership, HHPI has hired a total of 13 individuals, including interns and full-time biomedical scientists and engineers, who work for UHCL within KBR labs. Each of these roles support NASA’s Human Health and Performance Contract to KBR and have attracted top-tier employees from across the country to work for UHCL. Currently, UHCL-HHPI employees seven full-time scientists, engineers, and integration specialists who work onsite in KBR labs, three of whom are former UHCL students.

The impact of this collaboration continues to grow. On September 27, 2023, KBR and UHCL signed a new partnership agreement to expand internship opportunities and create more real-world pathways to success like Gardner’s – a milestone facilitated by UHCL’s Office of Strategic Partnerships facilitated the agreement.

The six months Gardner spent working in NASA’s Johnson Space Center’s EPC Lab was a transformative experience, preparing her for a seamless transition into her current position at NASA. She hopes future students can benefit from the same opportunities, thanks to the university’s partnership with KBR.

To learn more about UHCL's partnerships with local organizations, visit the Strategic Partnerships webpage.

Internships are essential in shaping students' professional futures by offering real-world experience and skill development. Students enhance their resumes, build valuable networks, and explore potential career paths through internships. At institutions like the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL), students gain hands-on knowledge and access to industry insights that bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application. Nick Zupon, a UH-Clear Lake student interning at the San Jacinto Battlefield Museum, exemplifies this benefit. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in History and plans to obtain a master’s in history and work in the museum industry after graduation.

“My internship has helped me get my foot in the door because most museum jobs want experience, said Nick. “The skills I have acquired include maintaining and preserving artifacts, conducting research on them, and gaining insights into various activities that museum professionals engage in, which I was previously unaware of.”

Nick chose to attend UHCL because of its proximity to his home and the opportunities and resources the university could provide him like the Office of Strategic Partnerships, whose mission is to help students achieve their academic and professional goals.

 “I want to attain a job in my field,” said Nick. “I would recommend Strategic Partnerships, especially if you want to work in museums,” he continued. “It can be hard finding internships on your own, and they go above and beyond to help.”

Program Manager Bernadina Streeter emphasized the importance of preparing students to become the next generation of leaders and professionals.

Nick expects to graduate in Spring 2025 and highlighted the importance of being proactive, securing an internship, and utilizing the tools UHCL provides for students to be successful.

“I enjoy working at San Jacinto Museum and Battleground and can do what I love,” said Nick. “The knowledge and skills I’ve gained have been rewarding, and I am thankful for the mentors at my internship and Strategic Partnership’s encouragement.”

As students engage in internships, they gain a competitive edge in the job market and a clearer understanding of their future career paths. Overall, internships are pivotal in shaping successful professional journeys and fostering personal growth.

For more information about internship opportunities and UHCL’s Office of Strategic Partnerships, visit www.uhcl.edu/strategic-partnerships/.

“Having the opportunity to work with various mentors with different backgrounds helps clarify what career may interest me,” said Rodriguez.

Through her internship, Arcelia is learning the importance of having a flexible schedule, the ability to help others, and multitasking. She can also identify the aspects of social media that often go overlooked, and is learning about marketing processes and procedures.

Arcelia is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and expects to graduate in Spring 2026. She took the initiative to intern, honing her marketing skills that will land her the ideal career after graduation.

 Attracted by UH-Clear Lake’s friendly, small, and quiet setting, Arcelia highlighted the various benefits of attending UHCL, specifically the help of the Office of Strategic Partnerships. 

“I would recommend looking for an internship to help identify what you may want to do and sharpen any skills you already have,” said Arcelia. “I was emailed about this internship, but strategic partnerships helped extensively with the process of getting me here.”

Dr. Natalie Pecknold, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, said one of the core purposes of Strategic Partnerships is to increase participation in internship opportunities to help students achieve academic and professional success.

“We support several internship initiatives in partnership with industries and external organizations such as the Boeing Student Development Partnership and the KBR IMOC Internship Program,” she said.

Arcelia encourages her peers to seize opportunities to engage in the career paths they aspire to pursue.

This day represents more than a celebration for interns — it's a testament to their hard work and dedication. These programs benefit interns by providing practical skills and also enrich the organizational culture by infusing it with new ideas and perspectives. Successful internship experiences often lead to full-time employment opportunities, accentuating the importance of internships in shaping career trajectories.

For more information about internships and opportunities, visit www.uhcl.edu/strategic-partnerships/.

Internships are a vital way for college students to gain entry-level work experience in their field of study. Over the years, many students from University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) have taken advantage of these opportunities, including graduate student Jordan Jewell. Jewell will earn her joint Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) next month, after securing an internship at HCA Houston Healthcare in Clear Lake. She made the decision to pursue healthcare after frequent visits to the hospital to visit a loved one.

“My grandmother's battle with cancer introduced me to the healthcare administration field,” she said. “Through that experience, I saw administrators as the man behind the scenes, ensuring operations ran smoothly for frontline workers to deliver exceptional care.”

She started working in the home healthcare industry in June 2020, after earning her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Texas State University. Realizing the need for further education to make a significant impact, she enrolled in UH-Clear Lake’s joint MHA/MBA program in January 2022. The following month, she transitioned to the labor and delivery department at HCA, where she worked nights as a unit secretary. She discovered the internship at the same facility later that year.

“Networking played a vital role in landing the internship,” she said. “While working at HCA, I scheduled a meeting with the unit director and shared my educational background and career aspirations. This led to an introduction to HCA Clear Lake's COO, who then connected me with the project manager overseeing the internship program. Come to find out the program manager is a UHCL MHA program alum.”

Jewell secured an interview soon after and, subsequently, an invitation to join the internship program, with considerable support from Dr. Femi Ayadi, UHCL Professor of Healthcare Administration and coordinator of the university’s healthcare administration internship program.

“Dr. Ayadi provided support throughout the process, from the initial interview to the end of the internship,” Jewell said. “She consistently shares valuable opportunities with MHA students. I would encourage other students to reach out to her with opportunities they may have. She can offer support in many different ways.”

The HCA internship, which ran from June to mid-August 2022, placed Jewell on the nursing administration team. She collaborated with the director of patient experience and the assistant chief nursing officer to create a plan for improving Press Ganey survey scores for power units. This survey is designed to measure patients’ perception of their care and helps healthcare organizations improve safety, quality, and the overall patient experience.

Jewell also worked closely with the food and nutrition department as well as women services leadership to improve the menu offerings to post-partum mothers and their guests. Another component of the internship involved her time in a reading program.

“I participated in the Raising a Reader Program, which offers a book to each newborn at HCA Clear Lake,” said Jewell. “That project taught me how important community outreach is to a hospital. Additionally, the internship program offered insights about the role of ancillary services, such as food and nutrition, supply chain management, and environmental services.”

Jewell highly recommends the program, emphasizing the practical experience and leadership exposure it offered. She added that the internship as a whole allowed her to practice using the tools that she acquired through the MHA program.

“The experience was filled with learning opportunities I can use throughout my career and will provide leverage in my next career move. Most importantly, it presented a glimpse of leadership roles I aspire to fill one day. I am sure you are familiar with the saying ‘dress for the job you want, not for the job you have.’ An internship offers that opportunity and is invaluable to kick-starting a career.”

In August 2023, Jewell began working as a maternal administrative assistant at HCA Clear Lake, but she said she hopes to break into the healthcare quality department, which aligns with her current role. She has also been exploring opportunities in human resources.

With just days left of her graduate academic journey at UHCL, Jewell stresses the importance of networking to other students in the joint MHA/MBA program. 

“It is so important to grow your network and let others know what you have and hope to achieve,” she said. “Make sure to brand and market yourself and allow your network to advertise for you. And never stop learning. Healthcare is ever evolving to stay in the know of current and future trends will help immensely.”

Jewell will be recognized for her completion of the joint MHA/MBA degree program on May 11 during the 10 a.m. ceremony at NRG. Visit the Joint Healthcare Administration MHA/MBA webpage to learn more about the program at UHCL.

University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) recently hosted the inaugural 1974 Society Dinner to recognize and celebrate members of the newly established 1974 Society. As UHCL celebrates its 50^th anniversary, the 1974 Society was launched to recognize those who give or commit $25,000 or more during the anniversary campaign ending December 31, 2028. Special thanks were also extended to members of the Neumann Society, recognizing donors who have given a cumulative $100,000 or more to the university and the UHCL In Tempore Legacy Society, recognizing those who have made planned gifts.

Members of 1974 Society support UHCL by establishing endowments or increasing existing endowments that  support scholarships, professorships, and other programs, helping sustain the university’s future.

The evening acknowledged the generous donations of community partners and donors, whose significant financial investments continue to support UH-Clear Lake’s mission and is creating a legacy for future generations.

“You all are supporting many scholarship programs with your philanthropy,” said UHCL President Richard Walker. “We were founded in 1974, and we are still soaring. It is important for our students to connect what they are learning in the classroom to real world opportunities,” he explained. “We are being strategic about how we grow our academic programs at UHCL based on industry needs and market studies, and it is tied to the support you give our students to get a quality education and achieve success.”

The dinner featured heartfelt testimonials from students and alumni, underscoring the significant impact of these philanthropic efforts. Frederic Darden, a scholarship recipient pursuing a doctoral degree at UHCL, said he always wanted to make a great impact on the lives of students at the collegiate level.

“Because of the scholarships and philanthropy that you all have given; my dreams are coming true. I graduate this December 2024,” said Darden. “It has been a long haul, and I did it while putting three of my own children through school,” Darden continued. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart, for the heart of giving and words cannot express the gratitude that I feel to be able to get the assistance that I needed.”

Victoria Cleavinger, a recent graduate now working as an elementary school teacher, shared how a scholarship supported her during her unpaid internship.

“We don’t get paid for our internships. It can be financially stressful, but because I received a scholarship, it alleviated the stress of me having to find another job for more income,” said Cleavinger. “Your philanthropy allowed me to throw myself wholeheartedly into learning how to become a good educator,” she explained. “Thank you for supporting college students and their endeavors, it really means a lot, and I look forward to passing on the gift of a good education to the next generation.”

Two 1974 Society members that established the ‘M.L. Wismer Scholarship Endowment,’ Michael Landolt and Ann Wismer-Landolt, said they love the university and are happy to be a part of changing lives.

“Ann’s father passed, and we felt it was an opportunity for us to give back to the university,” said Mr. Landolt. “We set up an endowment and we have loved it ever since and keep adding to it. We believe in higher education, and scholarships are a way for us to give back to the community.”

Dr. Scott and Teresa McIntyre, who established the ‘Drs. Scott and Teresa McIntyre Endowed Scholarship,’ wanted to help students that needed financial assistance for industrial organizational psychology.

“We felt it would be a good investment to help students further their studies, and make an impact in the work environment, which is what we do,” said Dr. Scott McIntyre. “The scholarship helps with recruitment, and making sure that everyone who wants to attend our program, can attend our program, he explained. “It is also important to note that UHCL is not a large university. So even small gifts can have a major and larger impact.”

Members of President’s Council and Legacy Advisors were also invited to attend. Joe Staley, Vice President of University Advancement, recognized members of both groups and thanked them for their service to UHCL. Staley also emphasized the transformative impact of philanthropy. 

“We are keenly aware that your investments have a real impact on students,” said Staley. “Making sure that our education is affordable and accessible is a key element to attending UHCL. Also, having the resources to attract and retain top notch faculty is essential to succeeding in higher education. You help us do that.”

For more information about 1974 Society or donating to UHCL, interested parties can contact Sherrie Mueller, Director of Planned Giving, at muellersh@uhcl.edu or visit the university’s giving webpage at www.uhcl.edu/giving/.

Internships offer invaluable real-world experience, helping students apply classroom knowledge in professional settings, explore career paths, build professional networks, and enhance their resumes. Recognizing the dual benefits of practical experience and financial support, the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Office of Strategic Partnerships has introduced ‘The Internship Scholarship Program.' This initiative aims to mitigate financial challenges for students engaged in unpaid, credit-based internships within their respective fields, ensuring they can focus on their professional growth without the burden of financial stress.

This spring, seven UH-Clear Lake students were each awarded $1,300 through the 2024 Spring Internship Scholarship. These scholarships affirm UHCL’s commitment to supporting students' academic and professional development through financial assistance. The recipients are Erick Chavez, a Spanish therapist intern at Mine Counseling; Jacqueline Golz, interning at Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Management; Karla Gutierrez, counseling intern at League City Counseling & Education Center; Shatori Langham, crime lab analyst intern at Texas Department of Criminal Justice; Joanna Mendieta, clinical teaching intern at Barbers Hill Independent School District (ISD); Jessica Serrano, clinical teaching intern at Clear Creek ISD, and Courtney Brown.

Courtney Brown, a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Education, is currently gaining hands-on experience as a Clinical Teaching Intern at La Porte ISD. With over 16 years of experience working with children, Brown’s passion for education is deeply rooted in her personal journey as a child who felt the impact of inadequate academic support. As a first-generation college student from a low-income family, she is driven not by financial incentives but by a profound desire to enhance the educational experiences and lives of children. “I was that child and I know what it feels like,” Brown said. Her commitment is fueled by the belief in making a tangible difference in the lives of her students.

 “We live paycheck to paycheck. It's not easy handling life while struggling to make it through the day, but I have learned how to keep going,” she said.

Brown added that when she received the scholarship, she was in the middle of financial hardship and didn't know how she would make it. But when she was selected as a recipient, she was surprised.

“I was able to get the supplies I needed for my classes, get the supplies I needed to teach lessons at my assigned school, and get the necessities I needed for myself,” said Brown. “Here I am, a straight A student. Based off my academic progress, I know I made the right choice attending UHCL,” she explained. “I was recently invited to join UHCL Chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi for the 2023-2024 academic year.”

Brown hopes to change the lives of children and the field of education by using the skills she has acquired at UHCL to be a great teacher to her students and further her education. She also recommends students apply for the Internship Scholarship Program.

Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships Natalie Pecknold said one of its core purposes is to increase participation in internship opportunities to help students achieve academic and professional success.

“We support several internship initiatives in partnership with industries and external organizations such as the Boeing Student Development Partnership and the KBR IMOC Internship Program,” Pecknold said. “The Intern Scholarship Program is another important initiative that focuses specifically on unpaid internships and reducing the financial barriers associated with participating in such opportunities.”

Furthermore, Pecknold mentioned that UHCL has recently received a generous corporate gift from Wellby Financial to establish an endowment for unpaid intern scholarships, that will enable the university to award additional intern scholarships and in perpetuity of the endowed funds, which means this scholarship opportunity will sustain for many years to come.

“We know that internship experiences can greatly improve the career trajectory of college students —from higher starting salary to an increased number of job offers — but there are also many known barriers to pursuing them such as family obligations, transportation costs, and even attire,” said Pecknold. “UHCL recognizes these hardships and will continue to seek solutions for increasing student access to internships — whether paid or unpaid.”

Intern Scholarships are awarded every semester. The Intern Scholarship application for Summer 2024 will be open April 1 through May 31. To qualify for the Intern Scholarship, students must complete an unpaid internship for academic credit towards degree requirements. Students can apply through the UHCL Financial Aid Office and online scholarship application portal (log into E-Services and click “Financial Aid” to apply for UHCL scholarships). For more information about UHCL’s Office of Strategic Partnerships and internship opportunities, visit www.uhcl.edu/strategic-partnerships/.

As a child, Anna Lowery always responded with “a teacher” when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. Today, she is the one asking the question of a new generation of young students. Lowery teaches 5^th- grade science, social studies, and phonics at Parr Elementary School in League City, Texas, where she has worked since 2014.

After a slight detour, Lowery earned her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and M.S. in Multicultural Education from the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL). Although being a teacher was her childhood dream, education was not the first degree she pursued. 

 “I originally entered college as a business administration major but decided after two semesters that it wasn’t the path for me,” she said. “I really enjoyed working with kids and spending time with my younger cousins. In the spring of 2009, I switched majors and began taking child development courses at a local community college. I fell in love with the program and knew I had found my place.”

 She later began working as a camp counselor and childcare employee at the YMCA in League City and Webster, where her “love for children and teaching intensified.”

 As a San Jacinto College – Central student and a Raven, Lowery knew she wanted to further her education to become a teacher while staying close to home. She was familiar with UH-Clear Lake and its College of Education, so in 2011, a Raven became a Hawk; she became an official UHCL student that fall.

 “I knew UHCL was a safe campus with a strong teacher education program,” she said. “I was impressed with the campus and loved the atmosphere and environment.”

 She earned her bachelor’s degree in May of 2014. The same year, she reenrolled at UHCL as a graduate student and earned her master’s degree in May of 2017. She recalls both graduation days and the joy she felt at each ceremony.

“Graduation day in 2014 was really exciting because I knew I was about to hopefully get a job as a teacher,” said Lowery. “I wasn’t employed just yet, but I was really excited to reach that milestone and finally enter the career I wanted. In 2017, I was teaching full-time, so it was a lot of relief and excitement because I knew I’d be able to put 100% toward my career. I am grateful for the knowledge and skills gained at UHCL, which have led to my career success.”

 Lowery credits her professors for these skills and for being supportive and informative. She said the Methods course and Internship I and II programs were beneficial.   

 “Being in the classroom at various campuses, with many different students, allowed me to see different teaching styles, classroom management types, and what a real school day would look like,” said Lowery. “These courses were rigorous and had high expectations with a fair amount of work, but they helped me succeed as I transitioned to being a full-time teacher.”

 Her position as a full-time teacher within Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD) helped her receive “mini-grants” through the Clear Creek Education Foundation. These grants allowed her to purchase various items for her classroom at Parr Elementary School, including wobble stools, Legos, and character education books. She also received a Teacher Innovative Grant for $2,566, which she used to purchase non-fiction books in science and social studies.

 Her dedication to her students, and her efforts to enhance their learning and that of other students within her school did not go unnoticed by her peers; in 2018, Parr Elementary School awarded Lowery as “Campus Teacher of the Year.”

 To learn more about UHCL’s education department and degree programs, go to www.uhcl.edu/education/departments/.

University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) has received a significant contribution from Wellby Financial, one of the largest credit unions in Houston, and recently rated the Best Overall Financial Institution in Texas for 2023-24 by Money.com. The gift will help establish the largest intern scholarship endowment at UHCL.

The intern scholarship will be available to students from any college or discipline and will reduce the financial burden of unpaid internships, allowing students to focus on their academic and professional development. It will also enable students to gain real-world experience and networking opportunities, preparing them for successful careers after graduation.

“How fortunate our university is to partner with a forward-thinking organization like Wellby Financial to strengthen the overall student experience and prepare our students to be valued contributors to the workforce,” said Vice President of University Advancement Joseph Staley. “We thank Wellby Financial for their continued commitment to student success.”

Wellby Financial has a longstanding relationship with UHCL, employing many of its alumni and interns. The company recognizes that experiential learning (internships) is essential to preparing students to enter the workforce.

“Our purpose is to help people prosper,” stated Wellby Financial President & CEO, Marty Pell. “One of the most important things we can do as a community leader to fulfill this purpose is to empower the dreams of the next generation. Through this partnership with UHCL, Wellby Financial is proud to invest in our community and help support experiential learning opportunities for local students, empowering them to reach for their dreams while building their financial future.”

Wellby Financial’s dedication to both community and education is deeply rooted in their history. Originally founded to serve NASA’s Johnson Space Center community, Wellby Financial has supported the financial well-being of Houston for more than 60 years.

Deborah Acosta Conder, Wellby Financial Board Chair and alumna of UHCL shared, “Our unique legacy with NASA and the space community reminds us that learning isn’t restricted to the classroom. Rather, it comes from utilizing knowledge in real-world scenarios and comprehending how it can affect positive change. We’re proud to partner with UHCL to help provide more opportunities like these for students in our community.”

The gift was facilitated by the Office of University Advancement and the Office of Strategic Partnerships, which serve as primary interfaces for external partners. They also support initiatives that enhance and increase experiential learning opportunities for UHCL students.

According to Executive Director of University Advancement Elbby Antony, these initiatives and others developed with the Office of Strategic Partnerships, aim to increase participation in internships that help students prepare for their careers.

“Wellby Financial’s gift is a much-needed investment in the future of UHCL students,” she said.

“The company’s philanthropy demonstrates a commitment to enriching our community through valuable experiences that ensure student success and positively impact many Bay Area Houston businesses and the region. UHCL will match Wellby Financial’s contribution to ensure the endowment’s growth and ability to impact more students. The partnership comes at the right time for future Hawks,” added Antony.

UHCL is committed to cultivating strategic connections with businesses, government agencies, community organizations, educational entities, and nonprofit partners to provide meaningful experiences and opportunities for its students.

According to Natalie Pecknold, the executive director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships, Wellby Financial’s gift to the university will propel students toward new horizons and greater success for many years.

“The Office of Strategic Partnerships is thrilled to offer intern scholarships through this new partnership with Wellby Financial,” said Pecknold.

“Through this endowment, students do not have to be deterred from pursuing their passions and building their resumes while completing their degree programs. We are grateful for the generosity of Wellby Financial.”

UHCL encourages all businesses and business leaders to consider supporting this joint effort to strengthen the student experience and the workforce.

To learn more or apply for intern scholarships offered by UHCL, visit www.uhcl.edu/strategic-partnerships/ or call the Office of Strategic Partnerships at 281-283-2076.

To learn more about Wellby Financial’s dedication to helping people prosper throughout our community and how Wellby Financial can support your financial prosperity, visit wellbyfinancial.com.

University of Houston-Clear Lake’s (UHCL) Occupational Safety and Health program, formerly part of the Environmental Science department, prepares students for careers as environmental scientists, industrial hygienists, and safety professionals. Alumnus Tyler Tanniehill was one such student. In May 2019, he earned his B.S. in Environmental Science (now called the Occupational Safety and Health B.S.) with a dual focus in industrial hygiene and safety. Today, he works as an environmental health and safety program manager at Celanese, a global technology leader in producing differentiated chemistry solutions. 

His decision to pursue this field at UH-Clear Lake stemmed from his time working as an industrial hygiene technician at Johnson Space Center.

“It’s an interesting field where you have to be interested in continuous learning and familiar with an extremely wide range of careers and the potential hazards,” Tanniehill said. “Getting a bachelor’s in this field from an ABET-accredited college program was convenient.”

Being accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) demonstrates that UHCL’s Occupational Safety and Health program meets the quality standards of the profession for which it prepares graduates.

Tanniehill describes the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) field as “very broad.” In UHCL’s program, he took courses that delved into all three elements of the field, which he said helped equip him well for his career at Celanese.

“Before I came to Celanese, I sat for and passed two certification exams: Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and Certified Safety Professional (CSP),” he said. “Some people struggle to earn these certifications because they don’t have the base knowledge in these areas sufficiently to pass the exams. UHCL helped prepare me to pass the exams, and for that, I am very grateful.”

He also expressed gratitude for the faculty involved in the program, including one with whom he still stays in contact and considers a lifelong mentor, Dr. Robert Phalen.

“I hope that someday I will be able to work as a teacher and show the same patience and gratitude that Dr. Phalen did in breaking down complex math into simpler steps,” he said. “He made sure we actually learned the material instead of just knowing how to go through the steps.” 

Tanniehill mentioned the convenient campus location and evening course times as other factors which contributed to his positive UHCL experience. His involvement in the university’s Society of Industrial Hygiene and Safety Professionals (SIHSP) also played a role; as the student chapter president of SIHSP, he had the rewarding opportunity to help with UHCL’s annual Chili Cook-Off and to spend a weekend at Washington, D.C., for a leadership seminar.

In addition to these opportunities, UHCL students are qualified to apply for various scholarships to help them achieve their goals. Tanniehill applied for and received several of them, including those awarded by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).

He landed a position in Bishop, Texas, in December of 2019 as an industrial hygiene program manager at Celanese. He later transferred to the Evansville, Ind., facility, where he currently works as an environmental health and safety (EHS) program manager.

“When I expanded my role to be an EHS manager, I was able to rely on my knowledge in health and safety and knew what areas I needed to study more to provide adequate support to my site for environmental concerns,” he said. “One of the biggest things I took away from school was that you don’t have to know everything all the time, but you build up a database of resources so that you can provide the best information available to your fellow employees. "

Learn more about the Occupational Safety and Health program at UHCL, including application requirements and fees, by visiting www.uhcl.edu/science-engineering/departments/physical-applied-sciences/occupational-safety-health/.

“Internships are part of many degree requirements at University of Houston-Clear Lake,” said Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships Natalie Pecknold. “But not every internship provider is able to offer students pay. In order to alleviate the financial burden students might take by accepting an unpaid internship, we are now able to offer students $1,300 paid scholarships for their internships.”

Pecknold said the inaugural cohort of UH-Clear Lake fall 2023 Intern Scholarship recipients are Dominique Bell, interning at Psychology Works; Kariana Ellingsen, interning at Malaty Therapy; Millicent Hendrix, interning at the Montrose Center; Nancy Izaguirre, interning at Pasadena Independent School District on the Social Work Crisis team; Liliana Longoria, placed in Galveston I.S.D.; and Trent MacArthur, placed in Deer Park I.S.D.

Longoria, who transferred to UHCL to pursue her bachelor’s degree in education, plans to graduate in December 2023. She said her goal to become a teacher came from her own childhood experience as an undocumented student.

“I came to the U.S. from Mexico at the age of four, and I’m a DACA student,” she said. “I decided to become a teacher because when my family came here, everything was new. The only place I felt safe besides at home was in my bilingual classroom.”

She remembered feeling welcome and supported in that classroom, and she grew up knowing she wanted to help other children like her to feel the same. “That’s why I know the best place for me is to go back into education,” she said.

“When I got the news that I was receiving this scholarship, I teared up. Prior to receiving it, I thought about how much everything would cost, and I didn’t know how I was going to do it,” she continued. “Receiving this scholarship meant I didn’t have to worry about that; I can fully dedicate myself to becoming a better future educator.”

For Bell, who is working toward his Master of Arts in Family Therapy, the intern scholarship has made it possible for him to complete this requirement for his degree.

“I’m interning at Psychology Works in Lake Jackson, where I live,” he said. “I am blind and I’m not able to drive. I have to have someone take me wherever I’m going, and gas and food are expensive. Sometimes I’m in the office all day, and once I’m there, I can’t leave. This scholarship makes a big difference in my situation.”

He added that since he has to be driven about a half hour to get to and from his internship, the scholarship enables him to focus on completing his internship. “I am definitely going to get what I need to become a therapist when I am done,” he said. “I was very surprised and very grateful to receive the scholarship.”

Longoria said she is working with the dual-language teacher at Weis Middle School in Galveston Independent School District, her own home school district. “I’m working with the newcomer teacher, handling new, non-English speaking students,” she said. “I already have a job lined up in Weis Middle School in January of 2024. I know first hand what it’s like to be new, and I want my students to know that achieving a higher education is possible for them.”

To connect with resources that can help you find an internship, visit www.uhcl.edu/strategic-partnerships/

When you enter a university and decide on a degree plan, you know you will have a number of course requirements that must be fulfilled. However, there are certain courses you might not have considered taking that could be both professionally and personally valuable.

University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Director of Career Services Chuck Crocker, and Lecturer in Marketing Lynn Place offer students guidance and support they need to leverage all their interests and find internships and opportunities that can launch careers. Both say that if a student has an opening in their schedule for an extra course, it might be worthwhile to consider a class that helps develop some skills that position you as the kind of well-rounded candidate that employers across all industry seek.  

Tip 1: Learn to work productively in groups. “Take a class in which you have to work and communicate with others on a team,” Place said. “Writing, public speaking, communication and making presentations are so important.  Learning to express an opinion adds to the value that you bring to any job, as well as helping you communicate and express yourself in other areas of your life.”

Tip 2: Expand your knowledge of people who aren’t like you. Social and cultural science classes are engaging and current, promote understanding and empathy, and can help shape your view of the world, which is beneficial in all areas of life. “A sociology or anthropology class brings you together with international communities or with cultures different from yours, and you learn that not everyone thinks the same way,” Crocker said. “That’s helpful and employers appreciate people who have understanding of other perspectives.”

Tip 3: Mental health issues have significant implications in the workplace and in life.  Emotional or mental issues that are left unaddressed can affect your work and your overall well-being and quality of life. “It’s important to understand mental health issues, for others and for your own self-care,” Crocker said. “Taking a class in psychology or in something related to human behavior shows you want to be aware of signs and symptoms of problems in this area. This will benefit you as an employee and as a person.”

Tip 4: Consider adding a minor to your degree plan. “This can make a big impact,” Place said. “For example, if you’re a business or technology major, consider minoring in communication. That is critical to technology and business; skills in communicating and relationship building can help you get the job. It means you’re a problem solver and you have critical thinking skills in another area than your major.”

Tip 5: Travel abroad. With resources and assistance available at UHCL’s Education Abroad and Scholar Services, studying internationally is more accessible than you think. Traveling and living in another culture can add immeasurable value, both on your resume and in your life. “This kind of experience demonstrates your willingness to learn about others, and that applies to anything,” Crocker said. “It offers a breadth of understanding that you can’t get in the classroom. Especially if you don’t have much work or internship experience, studying abroad shows you bring an additional element to your major that you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.”

Consider college as a catalyst to advance your personal growth as well as your academic and professional development. For more information about how to find internships and other resources to help you showcase your main skills as well as your other interests on your job search, visit Career Services at www.uhcl.edu/career-services.