vitalalumni Speaker Series
In keeping with the purpose and intent of our vitalvoices series that brings professionals in the fields of Criminal justice, Social Work and Urban Education to campus to share the relevance of their professional experience and current work, The Center for Public Service and Community Research created vitalalumni.
URBAN EDUCATION
vitalalumni bring CPS graduates back to campus to share their professional as well as personal experience of life pre UHD, at UHD and post UHD. Our alumni share their life stories: the good, the bad, the difficult, the highs, the lows, the challenges and the victories. Through candid conversation, stories are shared with the purpose of encouraging students to complete their studies; to know there is light at the end of the tunnel! Alumni will discuss their careers, including previous positions that led them to their current employment and what may be next on the horizon. Current students will experience first-hand how others who have gone before them succeeded under similar and sometimes even more difficult circumstances than their own. It is our hope the sharing of these stories will challenge current students to cross the finish line, believing that they too can achieve their dreams and aspirations. Our alumni like to say, "If I can do it, so can you!"
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Commerce Street Building in room C-100 and Via Zoom
Panel Speakers
Maricela Barron, 2014, MAT 2020
Maricela Barrón graduated with a BA and MAT degree from UHD, “the best decision I’ve ever made! Go GATORS!” Mari is in her 12th year of teaching at Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. For the past few years, she’s been given the opportunity to work in many different positions within the district which has helped her become a better person, teacher and leader. She is currently the PK/Kindergarten ECSE Transitional teacher and loves everything about her position and the challenges of learning something new. She hopes to continue to grow and learn how to become a better educator in order to help her students learn and succeed!
Sara Bracamontes, 2021
Sarah Bracamontes is in her fourth year of teaching, with most of her experience in Pre-K and a brief period in kindergarten. She grew up not knowing what she wanted to do and admits, “I was not someone who had many dreams.” However, once she went back to college the second time, she felt ready to explore and learn with a different mindset. After a year, she chose to teach because kids don't have much to choose from. They don't pick their family, who they are or what they look like. They don't pick their teacher or their class. Sara wants each student to be happy with the choice given to them. Her teaching style focuses on helping students feel safe, valued, and confident, so they can discover just how amazing and resilient they are and understand they each have a special place in this world.
Noe Denova, 2015
Noé Denova is a first-generation graduate student and product of HISD, that grew up in the southwest side of Houston. Shaped and influenced by passionate educators of public education schools, Noé graduated from Madison HS (Houston ISD). Not knowing what the future held, Noé joined UH-D where with help of counselors and servant professors, he majored in Early Childhood education. Being able to go back to teach, coach, and lead at schools across HISD where he once went as a student was very rewarding. Wanting to grow professionally and expand his impact, Mr. Denova earned his master’s in education administration (Principalship) and is currently the Principal of Rucker Elementary School in Houston ISD. His current goal is to grow the capacity of passionate educators and together impact the community and next generation of leaders, our students.
Ghida Hijazi, 2016
Ghida Hijazi is a proud product of the Houston Independent School District. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston–Downtown with an EC–6 teaching certification and taught third and fifth grade Reading/Language Arts. She later received her master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Houston, along with her principal certification. She has served as a Reading/Language Arts specialist and transitioned into the role of Assistant Principal in HISD, with a strong focus on RLA instruction and teacher development. She is excited and honored to be joining the University of Houston–Downtown this semester as an Adjunct Professor in Literacy.
Parris Patrick, 2024
Parris Patrick is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Houston–Downtown,
holding certifications in both General Education and Special Education. He brings
not only professional training to the classroom, but also a lifetime of lived experience
as the proud parent of a son with special needs. His son, Daniel, recently turned
24 and has been one of Parris’s greatest teachers.
Outside the classroom, Parris believes strongly in balance. When it’s time to recharge,
you can often find him at the beach—at least once a month—journaling and reading on
the pier. On a daily basis, he enjoys exercising, reading his Bible while journaling,
and spending quality time with his wife. His faith plays a central role in his life,
and he also serves as a pastor at a church in Houston.
Teaching has always been the goal. Parris originally began college with plans to become
an educator more than two decades ago, but as life sometimes does, it took him on
a different path for a season. Twenty-five years later, he’s proud to say he finished
what he started—and brings every lesson learned along the way into his work with students.
For further information contact Steven Villano, director of the Center for Public Service and Community Research at villanos@uhd.edu.