UHD : UHD Center For Diversity & Inclusion Hosted ‘Ukrainian Crisis Speak Out'

Press release from the University of Houston-Downtown:

March 09, 2022

UHD’s Center for Diversity & Inclusion hosted “Ukrainian Crisis Speak Out” event on March 4.

The virtual event, led by Dr. John Hudson, Director of the Center for Diversity & Inclusion, offered UHD students, faculty and staff a way to express their concerns, fears and anxieties about the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Several students, including two who grew up in Ukraine, expressed feelings of sadness and disappointment and say the war has made balancing life even more challenging while also trying to navigate life during a pandemic.

“I spoke to my family in Ukraine and I asked if they were preparing for the invasion, and they told me they didn't think a war was going to happen,” one Ukrainian student said. “They didn't believe anything was going to happen, and now it's really heartbreaking for everybody. I talk to my family every day, but the situation is very unstable … every day it's difficult to watch the news.”

The Center for Diversity & Inclusion hopes to have more discussions in the future to help students, faculty and staff discuss the war in Ukraine and offer ways to cope.

Student Counseling Services is available, by appointment, to UHD students in person, phone or video conference, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

To schedule a one-hour session, contact [email protected] or call 713-221-8121.

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The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD)—the second largest university in Houston—has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974.

As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates more than 15,000 students; boasts more than 60,000 alumni and offers 45 bachelor’s, nine master’s degree programs and 16 fully online programs within five colleges (Marilyn Davies College of Business; Humanities & Social Sciences; Public Service; Sciences & Technology; and University College).

For the fourth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranks UHD among universities across the nation for Best Online Criminal Justice Programs (No. 27 and No. 15 for Veterans) and Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.

UHD has the most affordable tuition among four-year universities in Houston and one of the lowest in Texas. U.S. News ranked the University among Top Performers on Social Mobility and a No. 1 ranking as the most diverse institution of higher education in the southern region of the U.S. The University is noted nationally as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, Minority-Serving Institution and Military Friendly School. For more on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit www.uhd.edu.

This press release was produced by the University of Houston-Downtown. The views expressed here are the author’s own.