President Blake discusses UHCL’s future at the State of the University address

As the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) enters its 45th year of education, service and impact, President Ira K. Blake shared updates for the university and delivered her vision for the impact of the school’s future at the State of the University Address held Oct. 8.  

“What we’re ready for is the next era,” Blake said. “The wonderful thing about UHCL is that it is 45 years young. It is an absolutely extraordinary place to study. An extraordinary place to build relationships, to become the next version, hopefully better, of oneself.”

Prior to starting her address, Blake shared a video with the audience highlighting the legacy of being a Hawk and how this legacy will not only impact the UHCL community but the next era of UHCL. 

Student Government Association President Mohamed AbdelGilil, biology major, appeared in the video and said he is excited to see what the future of UHCL will bring. 

“I can’t wait to see more buildings that are going to be built on this campus, the increase in student population, the more student organizations that are going to be created, and the more opportunities that there will be offered to those students that are going to be coming here,” AbdelGilil said.

Learning Opportunities

President Blake, who said she is excited and passionate about UHCL’s next era, started her address with a slideshow playing behind the lectern showing the stats of UHCL from the 2020 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges Rankings. UHCL is ranked 18 in top public schools, 25 best value schools, 43 in best regional universities in the west and is the highest-ranked university in Texas.

The slideshow stated that these stats show that faculty are working hard to ensure that students are getting the education that is needed to get them where they should be. With new opportunities that support future employment, career development and advanced study, UHCL is paving a way to invite Hawks returning for grad school and for future Hawks to become Hawks. 

As of this past fall semester, Blake said, “faculty and staff are challenging 9,145 students and counting to become critical thinkers.” 

Over the next year, Blake is anticipating increased learning opportunities. 

“While we know that there are reasons that some students are unable to complete their education, my intention is to make that as difficult as possible, which is why during our next era we will be identifying more effective ways to support each and every student hopefully to completion,” Blake said.

High-Quality Instruction

Blake said a priority for the university is facilitating the school with high-quality instruction for undergraduate and graduate students, “programs are designed to help students thrive in both school and in the workplace.” 

“Professors are engaged in proactive and modernized learning experiences,” Blake said. “With modern and updated computers students and staff have resources readily available.” 

She anticipates that learning opportunities at UH-Clear Lake will facilitate “increased curiosity, better problem solving and decision making, as well as prized innovation.” 

One of the goals for UHCL is setting students up for educational, career and personal success. Blake said that with a school that focuses on activities shaped and designed for students that bring leadership and teamwork skills, as well as service and care, she and faculty are excited for the future of current and prospective Hawks.  

“UHCL has a legacy of dedicated faculty to help students succeed in school and prepare them for after graduation,” Blake said. “Teacher scholars who provide excellent student-centered undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for the workplace and to make significant contributions within communities.” 

UHCL provides hands on advanced learning in the lab and applies real world situations in the classroom through Applied Critical Thinking (ACT) and life long adaptability programs. ACT is a program that is designed for undergrads to use deductive problem solving and is available to all undergrads. Over summer breaks, whole departments practice ways that support critical thinking in various academic programs. 

“The goal is to help build a better tomorrow for students,” Blake said. “With providing academic spaces that push forward the ability as a public university in delivering high-quality learning facilities with cutting edge equipment and being able to take the classroom outside to the outdoor learning labs.”

Blake also recognized faculty efforts beyond the classroom including recruitment efforts, shared governance committees, orientation activities, and serving as advisors for various student organizations. 

“Faculty help set students up for success by leading student-shaped activities and through leadership, teamwork, service and care for each student,” Blake said.

Vision for the Future

Blake said the future of UHCL is to focus on what to learn, how to learn, unlearn, and relearn as positive change demands it. 

Blake identified six visionary goals the university will address when planning for the future: transformation in education; creating a caring, healthier, more prosperous interconnected society; building community support; aligning resources for access opportunities; enriching educational experiences; and creating world citizen-leaders. 

“With this, building UHCL, providing students and staff with current resources and material, providing a safe haven for everyone on campus, and going above and beyond, the new era of UHCL can begin,” Blake said 

President Blake ended her message with a quote from Alvin Toffler, American Writer and associate editor of Fortune Magazine, which is, “‘Society needs people who know how to be compassionate and honest. Society needs all kinds of skills that are not just cognitive; they’re  emotional, they’re affectional.’”