CLASS ALL-STARS
AT A GLANCE
MARCH 2020 - AUGUST 2021
The last 16 months have been challenging, introducing a worldwide pandemic, bitter racial injustice, political unrest and catastrophic natural events, but the University of Houston College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) has not stood still. In fact, in that time of chaos and upheaval, a Pulitzer Prize was garnered, our youngest master’s graduate earned her degree, two ROTC cadets marched directly into the United States Space Force, the Fulbright Award was claimed and millions of dollars in coveted fellowships, grants and scholarships were taken home.
These months may be littered with trial and unforeseen circumstances, but CLASS has exuded strength, determination and grit, led by an interim dean and faculty, staff and students forging original paths in exploration for knowledge. Enjoy reviewing CLASS All-Stars, and continue to keep up with faculty, staff and student achievements on class.uh.edu. We look forward to the accolades and accomplishments of 2021-2022!
CLASS - Moving Up in National Rankings
March 2020
CLASS Helps UH Make History
April-May 2020
UH Alumnus Wins Pulitzer Prize
May 2020
CLASS Names Interim Dean
June 2020
$10 Million Dollar Man
July 2020
CLASS Rolls Out Race and
Social Justice Initiatives
August-September 2020
SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON RACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
The CLASS 2020-21 Lecture Series on Race and Social Justice consisted of various events over the 2020-21 academic year, beginning in September and culminating in April. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all events were live-streamed webinars, free and open to the public.
Ruha Benjamin - McGovern Lecture: "Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want" - September 17, 2020
Ruha Benjamin - McGovern Lecture: "Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want" - September 17, 2020
2nd CLASS Race and Social Justice Lecture featuring Martha S. Jones
2nd CLASS Race and Social Justice Lecture featuring Martha S. Jones
Panel Discussion: Race, Criminalization, and Policing - November 19, 2020
Panel Discussion: Race, Criminalization, and Policing - November 19, 2020
Panel Discussion: Race and Mass Incarceration - January 28, 2021
Panel Discussion: Race and Mass Incarceration - January 28, 2021
Essential but Illegal: COVID-19 and Reliance on Undocumented Labor
Essential but Illegal: COVID-19 and Reliance on Undocumented Labor
Race and Social Justice Lecture: Racial Capitalism
Race and Social Justice Lecture: Racial Capitalism
"GENIUS GRANT" WINNER
September - October 2020
November 2020
CLASS COVID Contributions
Rheeda Walker, Ph.D., Department of Psychology
Rheeda Walker, Ph.D., Department of Psychology
UH Psychology Professor Joins Stars on BET and Global Livestream to Prompt Pandemic Relief
Professor Rheeda Walker joined stars in a BET pandemic relief rally for communities impacted by COVID-19 and also speaks globally livestream in a “Call to Unite,” promoting hope and positive ways of coping.
UH Professor to Discuss Pandemic and Racial Tension on Good Morning America
Rheeda Walker, professor of psychology, went on ABC’s Good Morning America to discuss coping with life during the isolation of the pandemic, with a focus on racial tensions and George Floyd’s death.
Melissa Markofski, Ph.D., Department of Health and Human Performance
Melissa Markofski, Ph.D., Department of Health and Human Performance
Strengthen Your Immune System with Home Exercise
Melissa Markofski, assistant professor in the department of health and human performance, offers fitness ideas during confinement.
John P. Vincent, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Forensic Psychology, Department of Psychology
John P. Vincent, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Forensic Psychology, Department of Psychology
Minimizing Relationship Tension at Home During COVID-19 Crisis
Mandates to stay home during the COVID-19 crisis should prompt family bonding, but John P. Vincent, professor and director of the Center of Forensic Psychology shows it could have the opposite effect.
Elizabeth Gregory, Ph.D., Taylor Professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies Director, Women's Gender & Sexuality Studies & UH Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality
Elizabeth Gregory, Ph.D., Taylor Professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies Director, Women's Gender & Sexuality Studies & UH Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality
UH Survey Examines Challenges, Impact of COVID-19 on Harris County Residents
The University of Houston Institute for Research on Women, Gender and Sexuality is working to understand how residents are experiencing and coping with the pandemic through the COVID-19 Experience Survey.
Female Health Care Workers Torn Between Job and Home Duties
Another frightening outcome of the pandemic is that women and all essential workers may be forced to choose between their health and their jobs.
Carla Sharp, Ph.D., Director of the Developmental Psychopathology Lab, Department of Psychology
Carla Sharp, Ph.D., Director of the Developmental Psychopathology Lab, Department of Psychology
On the Menu: Free Mental Health Therapy Online for Restaurant Workers
Southern Smoke, Mental Health America of Greater Houston and the UH clinical psychology program collaborated to launch a free mental health care/practicum for psychology grad students.
Therese A. Kosten, Ph.D., Director of Developmental, Cognitive, & Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology
Therese A. Kosten, Ph.D., Director of Developmental, Cognitive, & Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Psychology
UH Researcher Joins Team Developing Opioid Vaccine
Therese Kosten, University of Houston professor of psychology, has joined a team of vaccine scientists developing an opioid vaccine targeting fentanyl.
Jack M. Fletcher, Ph.D., Associate Department Chair Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Chair, Department of Psychology
Jack M. Fletcher, Ph.D., Associate Department Chair Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Chair, Department of Psychology
$1M Anonymous Gift to Address Pandemic-Related Learning Loss, Vaccine Hesitancy
Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Chair Jack Fletcher is principal investigator in a health literacy research project funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
A communication by the CLASS Office of Communications.
Prepared by: Toni Mooney Smith
Creative Design: Bilal Trufant & Toni Mooney Smith
Contributors: Jillian Holden
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