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December 2022

December 21, 2022
Thomas F. Freeman Honors College Dean Dr. Dianne Jemison Pollard Retiring from TSU after 44 Years of Service
The end of the fall semester marks the end of an era. Dr. Dianne Jemison Pollard, Dean of the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College and Professor of Theatre, is retiring from Texas Southern University after 44 years of distinguished service. Dr. Jemison Pollard led the theatre program for many years, was chair of the Department of Fine Arts (Art, Music, and Theatre) for more than 10 years, and served as Associate Dean and Dean of the Honors College for more than nine years.

As an accomplished university stage director, she directed inaugural productions for the following TSU presidents: Dr. Leonard H.O. Spearman, Dr. William Harris, Dr. James Douglass, Dr. Priscilla Slade and Dr. John Rudley. Her ability to teach students the fundamentals of directing as they shaped every aspect of “being” the character garnered her several first place directing awards on the national level at the National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts (NADSA). In all, she’s directed more than 50 plays.

As the Dean of the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College, she implemented several initiatives including: the Research and Recruitment Trip, the Biannual Honors College Research Conference; The Freeman Honors Research Journal, which is an open access digital journal that houses the senior thesis and honors newsletters. She also implemented the gold medallion on the graduation stole Freeman Scholars receive at graduation and branded the name Freeman Scholars.

During a retirement celebration paying homage to her 44 years of service, Mayor Sylvester Turner declared Tuesday December 14 “Dr. Dianne Jemison Pollard Day” In the City of Houston.
She and her family commissioned artist and TSU alum, Jesse Sifuentes, to produce a bust of Dr. Freeman, founding dean of the college, as her gift to TSU. The bronze bust was unveiled outside the Honors Suite in the Library Learning Center on December 8. Also, she arranged for the Freeman Archives to be in room 303, next to the Honors College, so that all people can see not only artifacts, papers, books important to Dr. Freeman, but his original desk from the Debate office, which has been refurbished, can be viewed.

Dr. Jemison Pollard has worked hard and will be missed by students, colleagues, and alumni.
Dr. Dianne Jemison Pollard (middle) pictured with Debate Team Coach Dr. Gloria Roberts-Batiste (left), and educator and wife of the late Dr. Thomas F. Freeman Dr. Clarice Freeman (right).
Dr. Dianne Jemison Pollard (r) and the newly-retired Distinguished Professor Dr. Merline Pitre (l).
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner Announces Two Major Initiatives Between the City of Houston and Texas Southern University During Commencement Address
During a keynote commencement speech to nearly 700 graduates, and thousands more guests, faculty and members of the Texas Southern University Board of Regents, Houston mayor Sylvester Turner announced two new initiatives that will strengthen the partnership between the City of Houston and Texas Southern University.

The first is a proposed plan to have Texas Southern University as one of the primary educational leaders at the new Houston Spaceport at Ellington Airport. The new facility for Texas Southern University’s Aviation Science Management program at Ellington Airport will include a 30,000 square foot educational building with state-of-the-art classrooms and labs, a new 30,000 square foot hangar that would house 15 new TSU training aircraft, a 10,000 square foot hangar to be used for drone and vertical takeoff and landing education, research, and more.

Mario Diaz, Director of the Houston Airport System and TSU President Lesia Crumpton-Young are working on a proposal that would take the TSU aviation program to new heights.

“We all know there’s a shortage of pilots not just in this state, but across the globe,” Mayor Turner said. “The need for qualified pilots and other aviation professionals has reached a critical level. Texas Southern University students majoring in aviation professions are needed now more than ever before. This proposed plan would place TSU on the forefront of aviation facilities not just in the state of Texas but in the entire United States of America. We look forward to partnering with Texas Southern University.”

Mayor Turner also announced that the City of Houston is contributing $1 million in seed money to create the new TSU/Houston Center for Transformative Health

The new TSU/Houston Center for Transformative Health, a collaborative partnership between TSU and the Houston Health Department, will address health disparities and inequities among the city’s underserved population by supporting critical areas through expertise, capacity building, training service, research and more. This initiative also aligns with the Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities and complements the City’s efforts through the Health Equity Resource (HER) Task Force to support these targeted neighborhoods.

“I grew up in this city, and I grew up in a time when parents didn’t have any private health insurance,” Mayor Turner said. “There are many neighborhoods in our city where there are huge health disparities. If there’s any institution that should focus on those disparities in our communities of color, it should be Texas Southern.”
Following his inspirational address, TSU awarded Mayor Turner an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters in recognition of the extraordinary contributions he has made in the area of community service.

“Texas Southern University was honored to feature Mayor Sylvester Turner as the Fall 2022 inspirational commencement speaker,” said President Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young. “Just as TSU is committed to transforming the lives of its students, Mayor Turner has demonstrated his commitment to transforming the lives of the citizens of Houston, as well as those in Texas, and throughout the nation. The new ways in which the city is partnering with TSU demonstrate that commitment in a way that we know will benefit our communities for years to come. It was our pleasure to recognize his outstanding achievements during commencement by bestowing upon him the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters Degree.”

The degree was presented by former U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Rod Paige.

To watch the full commencement ceremony, visit: www.tsu.edu/commencement.
Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. on the Tiger Walk
Students from the College of Science Engineering and Technology were all smiles as the ceremony got started
Miracle Broussard (l) and Micquille Craver (r) preparing to march into ceremony
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(l to r) Softball student-athletes Haley Castro, Naomi Reyes, and Julia Bilbao
Debra Lewis receives doctorate degree in Education
Graduate students moments after crossing the stage
Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. during commencement ceremony
TSUNAA President Corrie Williams administers the Alumni Pledge
Football student-athlete Dominic Franklin receives degree from President Lesia L. Crumpton-Young
Summer Salutatorian Preparing for Life of Service
Ryan R. Davis, a native of Little Rock, Ark., graduated in the summer of 2022 as the salutatorian with a 3.75 GPA. While a student in the School of Communication, the broadcast journalism major spent time reporting on high profile local stories such as interviewing victims of the Travis Scott Astroworld incident and the family of George Floyd during the football stadium dedication at Jack Yates High School where Floyd graduated.

When Davis arrived at TSU as a freshman, she did not know anyone but quickly joined organizations as a means to get to know people who shared the same mindset of work first and party later.

Davis’ experiences helped to further develop her work ethic which have her the drive to excel and the confidence to become a dynamic public speaker.

“TSU taught me to step out of my comfort zone,” Davis said. “TSU taught me how to believe in myself and gave me the courage to do something I’ve ever done before.”

Since graduating, Davis has returned to her hometown to complete an internship at THV11 and teach 5th grade all while preparing to enroll at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service to pursue a master’s degree.

Davis shared that she does not plan to stay in one lane but will continue to work as a journalist, teach and help others through public service.
TSU Professor Featured on Dr. Phil
Professor and Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Ingrid Haynes was featured on Dr. Phil and the Phil in the Blanks Podcast. 

Dr. Haynes weighed in on the state of education in America. In one segment, she says the literacy statistics of children and adults in the United States are alarming. 

"We’re right now at 130 million adults not reading on grade level, reading below grade level, or do not have the basic reading skills,” Dr. Haynes said during the taping. “Basic skills of doing life, many of our Americans are struggling because of their literacy rate.”

She and Dr. Phil also discussed what needs to be done to fix America's education system as the nationwide teacher shortage continues and statistics show the country is falling behind other developed nations. 

Dr. Haynes tells InsideTSU she’s been doing clips online talking about literacy and giving parents and teachers tips in addition to speaking and presenting about literacy and language acquisition at conferences around the country. 

“At TSU, we produce exemplary teachers,” she said. “I’m just excited there’s a focus on literacy and there’s a focus on educators. Through COVID, now people realize how difficult it is to teach. You hear people now say ‘thank you for your service.’ That hadn’t been done in a while. I’ve been in education for almost 30 years and for there to be this focus on literacy and education, I’m excited.” 

Dr. Haynes is also the Director of the National Literacy Institute. 
Aviation Student Credits United Airlines Partnership with Helping Earn Commercial Pilot License
TSU senior Katherine Cabrera always had interest in aviation, but says she was never exposed to it.

“I just kind of researched on my own,” Cabrera told InsideTSU. “I didn’t have any guidance. I just researched how to get into piloting. I took a discovery fight. They call it the flying bug. I got bit and it’s kind of an addiction now. I just want to keep getting better and better. I want to be good enough to fly a jet one day.”

The Aviation Science Management major from Houston got her private pilot license before enrolling at TSU, but says she got stuck because of funding.
“My money was going toward my college tuition so there wasn’t a lot of money left over to fly,” she said.

Then came the partnership between TSU and United Airlines.

“I was offered a United Airlines scholarship from TSU in order to keep flying and it completely changed everything,” she said.

She earned her instrument rating, and she closed out the fall semester by getting her commercial pilot license.

Director of Aviation Dr. Terence Fontaine says students like Katherine reach their goals is why he came to TSU. This kind of success, he says, is meaningful.

“I also think about their futures and I think about where they’re going to be in the next 20 to 25 years, all the great things they’re going to accomplish as a result of being here at Texas southern university, and the partnerships we’ve been able to acquire between United Airlines and Southwest Airlines and what they mean,” Fontaine said.

“I’m really grateful for United and TSU for connecting me all the time and believing in me because it really helps a lot with my future and my dreams,” added Cabrera.

Her ultimate goal is to be an airline pilot. 
"TSU in the News" snapshot:
TSU Center for Justice Research to Launch HBCU Hub with Grant from Walmart Foundation (Dec. 13)









TSU to host 2023 HBCU All-Stars Basketball Game (Dec. 9)

Mayor Sylvester Turner announces two major initiatives between City of Houston and TSU during Commencement Address (Dec. 14)
End of Year Giving Campaign in Full Swing
Texas Southern University's End of Year Campaign is happening right now. Your gift to the Campaign begins and continues the transformative journey of young TSU Tigers. Your gift demonstrates the power of TSU Tigers working together to move students from admission to graduation. It is much more than a tax-deductible contribution. 2022 was a phenomenal year for Texas Southern.

The University is accomplishing unprecedented success at an accelerated pace. You are with us on this journey and make transformation possible.

Your commitment to giving encourages and energizes our students and the entire Tiger community. “Level up” and make an impactful gift. Your continued support is appreciated. Give today to make your end-of-year gift count! Together – we transform lives.

In addition to the End of Year Campaign, the Faculty Staff Giving Campaign is extended into 2023.
EMPA Program renews partnership with George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management
The Executive Master of Public Administration Program in the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs is renewing its partnership with George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM).

The partnership was piloted last year, and after a successful first experience, TSU has agreed to renew the contract for another three years. 

“The George Washington University is the largest and most direct pipeline of graduate educated staffers on Capitol Hill, and one of the most progressive and prolific institutions dedicated to political advancement and education in the nation," said EMPA Program Director Dr. Michael O. Adams. "This is just the beginning of our partnership with GW to bring opportunities to our students.”


This partnership offers TSU students the opportunity to explore career pathways in the fields of politics and public affairs. As part of the partnership, eMPA students participated in an immersive five-day program in March, bringing them face-to-face with the people and processes that define American politics. 
Graduate School Alum Named one of Wisconsin's 52 Most Influential Leaders
Texas Southern University salutes alumnus, Jakeim Jackson. Jackson currently serves as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outreach Manager for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, and was recently named one of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black Leaders.

The Dallas native graduated from TSU’s Jesse H. Jones School of Business in 2017 with his MBA, with a concentration in healthcare administration. While at TSU, he worked full-time at a Houston private school, which gave him his first full-time human resources (HR) experience. He was also a graduate assistant at the Campus Rec Center. After graduating from TSU, Jackson worked for American Airlines, he worked in HR for the Atlanta Hawks, moved back to Texas to be part of the global HR transformation at Samsung Electronics, and he worked for Parkland Hospital during the peak of COVID. He says being able to support our healthcare heroes was a great experience.

In 2021 the Bucks hired him to lead their newly established DEI efforts. Jackson says he enjoys being able to use his platform to help people who may not normally get opportunities in sports and entertainment – and to do his part to ensure the front office better reflects who’s on the basketball court.

He says TSU holds a special place in his heart – and he wouldn’t be where he is without TSU. One thing that stood out during his two years was the mentorship. Even to this day, his TSU professors are providing tools and resources to be successful. He says he’s grateful for the opportunities he had to work on projects he was passionate about, and that the experience and exposure he received led to several opportunities in his career so far.
TSU Men's Basketball uses team effort to finish HBCU Challenge in Las Vegas on a high note
The TSU men's basketball team competed in the Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The two-day double header took place December 17-18, featuring three other Historically Black Colleges and or Universities (HBCUs) – Norfolk State University, Hampton University, and North Carolina A&T State University.

The team dropped the first game in overtime against North Carolina A&T on Saturday by a 67-66 score. Karl Nicholas had a double-double with 21 points and 18 rebounds. The team regrouped for the second game, beating Hampton 82-77. Four Tigers scored in double figures.


Twelve-time NBA All-Star, current Phoenix Suns point guard and longtime HBCU advocate Chris Paul hosted the event in Las Vegas. Paul, an active philanthropist and entrepreneur, has actively supported HBCUs for years. Teaming up with Boost Mobile, whose mission is to bring affordable wireless service to all communities, was a natural fit for Paul. He was recently appointed to President Joe Biden’s advisory board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The Tigers return to action Thursday night (12/22) at Wichita State. The Lady Tigers also return to action Thursday night (12/22) at home against Tulsa.
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