ROARING IN FUN

UHV offers plenty of activities, programs and learning experiences outside of the classroom so that students have fun and thrive during their college experience. These activities take place both on campus, off campus and virtually.

In 2019-2020, more than 65 students learned leadership skills at the sixth annual ROAR Leadership Conference. Several students also earned certifications in the ROAR Certified Leader program, which encourages students to think critically about their leadership skills and how those skills could impact their future careers.

Students gave back by participating in several local service projects during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. These included volunteering in Victoria at Christ’s Kitchen, with the Victoria Long Term Recovery Group and at the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent. Students also took part in a beach cleanup by picking up trash on Mustang Island near Port Aransas.

• Career Services assisted more than 450 students with job searches and career coaching through individual sessions. The office also hosted 23 career-related programs and job fairs, including the new Career Readiness Days and Coffee and Career Chats, and presented more than 20 in-class workshops on topics related to resume writing, career planning and personal branding.
• In response to COVID-19, JP’s Market, a free food pantry and career closet open to UHV and Victoria College students, had another successful year thanks to support from the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent. The initiative served 487 students and provided 14,591 pounds of food. In response to COVID-19, JP’s Market increased the days it was open while implementing social distancing protocols and creating an online ordering system.
• UHV hosted its fifth annual Family Weekend. Collaborating with university departments, student organizations and the City of Victoria, more than 450 students, their families, and university faculty and staff enjoyed two days of activities that included a campus open house, welcome reception, performance by Crescent Circus, the President’s Picnic and Bootfest in downtown Victoria.
• The Jaguar Activities Board hosted a virtual talent show after cancellation of the university’s fifth annual Homecoming Week because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Homecoming theme “Peace, Love and Jaguars” is expected to be used in 2021.
• UHV had its highest number of teams ever participate in intramural sports during the fall semester. Although the annual Cross Campus Challenge: Battle for the Cup with Victoria College had to be canceled, it hopefully will continue in the future.
• The Student Government Association worked with university administration to create custom UHV regalia for students to wear at commencement. The regalia was unveiled at the December 2019 commencement ceremony.
• Student Life provided more than 130 in-person activities for students, including more than 15 multicultural events, and hosted 20 virtual events and social media challenges after the university closed because of COVID-19. This included the first virtual Wonderful Women of UHV event during Women’s History Month to honor women who work at the university.
• The Counseling Center continued to see an increase in student appointments from the prior academic year and hosted more than 60 programs related to substance abuse, and mental, physical and sexual health.
• The Counseling Center purchased a new software system called TAO, or Therapy Assistance Online, to provide students with a self-help tool for mental health. TAO is an online library of interactive programs to help people learn life skills and bounce back from disappointments and stumbling blocks.
• The seventh annual Student Organization and Leadership awards were announced virtually for the first time. UHV continues to see new student organizations form with more than 10 new interest groups registering during the academic year.
• Disability Services continued to see a rise in students receiving academic accommodations and support services. More than 160 students registered with the office, ensuring they received equal access to participate in and benefit from academic programs and activities.
• Shuttle Services provided transportation to more than 25,000 individual riders during the academic year. Additionally, the office accommodated more than 50 special services trips outside of normal operations and acquired three new shuttles – all of which were accessible.
• Testing Services served 860 unique visitors during the academic year in both Victoria and Katy. Services include coordinating exams with departments at UHV, education companies and government agencies.