Welcome to InsideTSU, the newsletter of Texas Southern University!

June 26, 2023
Board of Regents Names Mary Sias Interim President
Members of the Texas Southern University Board of Regents have unanimously appointed Mary Evans Sias, Ph.D. to assume the role of interim president. Dr. Sias, a member of the TSU Board of Regents and appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in October 2020, has resigned from her board role during this interim period. The role will become effective June 30th. The Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Dakota Doman, will remain in place until the beginning of the interim presidency term.

Nationally recognized as a higher education thought leader, longtime university president and administrator, Dr. Sias most recently served as the director of the Millennium Leadership Institute (MLI), the premier professional development program for senior higher education leaders who desire to become university presidents and chancellors. Additionally, she served as assistant to the president for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

Prior to her appointment to the TSU Board of Regents, Dr. Sias spent more than three decades serving respectively as president of Kentucky State University (2004 – 2014), senior vice president for student affairs and external relations at the University of Texas Dallas (1995 – 2004) and chief executive officer of the YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas (1984 – 1995). During her career in academia, Dr. Sias has been an associate provost, associate professor and assistant professor at both Grambling State University and Southern Methodist University.

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Governor Abbott Appoints new Student Regent for Texas Southern University
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed seven student regents to their respective universities, including Texas Southern University, for terms set to expire on May 31, 2024.

Dylan Getwood of Port Arthur, who is pursuing a bachelor’s in health information management, was appointed by Gov. Abbott. Getwood has served as an active student leader at TSU through the Student Government Association, Residential Life & Housing, the Royal Court, Campus P.A.L.S, and the Student Life Advisory Council.

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Former U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Roderick Paige Uses Birthday to Support Students at Texas Southern University
Retirement is not slowing Roderick (Rod) R. Paige, Ed.D., former U.S. Secretary of Education, in continuing his vision and mission to affect change in addressing many of the challenges presently faced by teachers and administrator in urban school settings.

Dr. Paige’s wife, Texas Southern University Regent Stephanie Nellons-Paige, hosted the surprise birthday celebration and appeal event along with a brunch on June 17 to raise funding for an endowment scholarship for students majoring in education at TSU.

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Tigers Join Regent Pamela Medina on Historic Probate Court Journey
Harris County Probate Court #2 is making history. Judge Pamela Medina, who serves on TSU's Board of Regents, is the first minority to serve as a Harris County probate judge.

Fran Watson is a staff attorney and Thurgood Marshall School of Law (TMSL) graduate, student interns Markiesa Jackson and Jaquenya Calhoun are both rising 2L students in TMSL, and student volunteer Angelina Shen is from Awty International.

Jackson and Calhoun were selected to intern through a competitive process through the Houston Bar Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion summer internship program. 
Texas Southern University EMPA Program and League of Women Voters-Houston Enter Agreement to Support Civic Engagement Programs Aimed at Young Voters
Texas Southern University’s Executive Master of Public Administration Program and the League of Women Voters-Houston have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish cooperative initiatives to support civic engagement programs and events for their respective institutions.

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TSU and Partners Lead to Houston Region Being Named Semi-Finalist for National Science Foundation Engines Grant
The Greater Houston Partnership and the Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), in partnership with five regional universities, including Texas Southern University, the University of Houston, University of Texas, Austin, Rice University and Texas A&M University, was recently named a semifinalist for the National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine (NSF Engines) program, and was invited to the Virtual Site Visit (VSV) stage.

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Texas Southern University Led the Way for Juneteenth 2023 Commemorations Across Houston
The Texas Southern University community honored Juneteenth at several events both on campus and in the greater Houston region.

Most of the activities, throughout the holiday weekend, paid homage to enslaved persons in Galveston, Texas, who were notified of their freedom due to the destruction of enslavement on June 19, 1865, by General Gordon Granger.

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Kroger and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Announce Gift to Assist TSU's Sustainability Programs and Student Food Insecurity Efforts
During Juneteenth celebrations, Kroger and Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages announced a generous donation of $40,000 to Texas Southern University to assist with sustainability programs and student food security efforts. Both companies united for their “Carry Freedom Forward” initiative, commemorating Juneteenth and focusing on educating and empowering associates, customers, and the community.

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"TSU in the News" snapshot:
Texas Southern among HBCUs to receive mental health services grants after last year's bomb threats (May 31)
U.S. Department of Education Announces Additional Project SERV Grants to HBCUs (June 5)
Texas Southern University Places $450,000 Order with Knightscope
Another University Invests in Emergency Communication Capabilities to Elevate Student Safety (June 5)
Houston commits to cleaning up after illegal dumpers under agreement with Department of Justice (June 7)
Houston photo studio Provost Studios celebrates 75th anniversary with no plans to slow down (June 11)
Houston non-profit hopes to win federal tech hub funding (June 19)
New Student Orientation Kicks into High Gear
Hundreds of incoming TSU students have gotten their first taste of the TSU experience during new student orientation sessions. Families have come from around the country to take the next step to becoming Tigers.
Texas Southern University Hosts Camp to Introduce Girls to Opportunities in STEM
Texas Southern University hosted 40 rising seventh through ninth grade girls for the GEMS Camp. GEMS, which stands for Girls interested in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science, is a 501(c)3 based out of Dallas.

The GEMS Camp was founded in 2010 by STEM educator Saki Milton to close the gender and racial gap in STEM studies and careers. Since its founding, 90 percent of participants have come from Title 1 schools, 96 percent are Black and Latina, and 60 percent are English Second Language students. Funding for the camp at TSU is provided by TSU’s Division of Research and Innovation and the TSU Foundation’s CenterPoint Energy FEM STEM grant. This is TSU’s first year hosting.

During this residential camp, the 40 scholars, who are primarily from the Greater Houston area, utilized a five karat system in the areas of academics, leadership, service, career, and creativity. They participated in math and science coursework and working with mentors to learn about self-confidence and conflict resolution, among other leadership traits. They also heard from women in STEM who shared their stories of thriving in the field.

Read more about GEMS Camp at TSU here.
Texas Southern University Alumnus to Lead the World’s Largest Organization of Airport Executives
Texas Southern University graduate, Dr. Perry J. Miller, has been selected as chair of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) for 2023-24. Founded in 1928, AAAE is the world’s largest professional organization representing people who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports.
"I owe a debt to my alma mater, Texas Southern University," said Dr. Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer at Richmond International Airport (RIA). "It not only prepared me for a career. It prepared me for leadership. Not to mention, I met my bride Tanya Fisher-Miller, there; who inspires me to continue to press toward excellence in achievement."

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TSU Alumnus Shows Optimism in His Daily Journey
Fredric A. Navarre is a man wearing many hats. As an educator, entrepreneur and energy executive, Navarre can be almost anywhere across Houston at any time engaging and leaving a positive impact within the community. Challenging traditional values with innovative solutions and impactful initiatives, Navarre is building meaningful connections while contributing to the greater good in a personal way.
 
Presently, Navarre is vice president of marketing, communication and client engagement with Ally Energy, an energy workforce development company. His role encompasses strategic planning, creative execution, stakeholder management and building client relationships. His contributions play a pivotal role in driving company growth while improving brand image and guaranteeing client satisfaction and long-term success for ALLY Energy clients.
 
Prior to his current position, Navarre served as deputy assistant director for the Houston Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities where he was responsible for communications and external affairs. 
 
According to Navarre, Texas Southern University has equipped him for ongoing success by offering a strong academic foundation, supportive learning environment, practical experience opportunities and professional development possibilities by providing access to alumni and professionals for networking. "I have come to realize my purpose in life is to make a positive and lasting impact on the world around me, to inspire and uplift others, and to continually grow and evolve as a person," Navarre said. "Continuous personal growth and self-improvement are integral parts of my mission and journey."
 
Navarre holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Southern University, an MBA in energy finance from Texas Southern University, a master’s degree in education from The University of Texas at Arlington and an education finance certification from Georgetown University. He was recently announced as a 2023 Houston Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree.
TSU Football Announces Game Times
Start times for all 2023 football games have been released. The season kicks off with the Labor Day Classic against Prairie View A&M at Shell Energy Stadium. The home slate includes three more games at Shell Energy Stadium, in addition to the Homecoming game against Lincoln University (California) on campus at Durley Stadium.

To purchase season tickets, click here.
TSU Track & Field Standout Earns All-America Honors
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences