Security executive John Presley, far left, and UHD's new President Bill Flores
The University of Houston-Downtown will graduate its first class of students earning a master’s degree in security management for executives on Saturday, Aug. 8. UHD’s program prepares students to lead security programs for corporations, industries and public agencies in an era where terrorism, corporate espionage and other threats are daily concerns.
Ceremonies are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 8, in the Wilhelmina Cullen Robertson Auditorium in the Academic Building on campus.
UHD’s New President Bill Flores will confer the degrees. Flores, who officially took office Aug. 1, came to UHD after serving as deputy secretary for the New Mexico Higher Education Department. John Presley, who will earn his degree Saturday, will also speak at the small ceremony.
Beth Pelz, dean of UHD’s College of Public Service, says the University is holding the small graduation ceremony at the end of summer school to accommodate the professionals in the program who travel widely during the week, and then return to Houston for weekend classes.
“We are proud of the 11 individuals who make up our inaugural class,” Pelz Said. “We have prepared them to meet the challenges of global and domestic security environments.”
UHD developed the master’s degree in collaboration with national leaders in security management. Students study topics in crisis management, risk analysis and abatement, computer forensics, human resources, managerial decision-making, leadership, motivation, communication and current legal and global issues in security management.
Students conclude the program with a professional presentation to the program’s board of directors, using the cumulative experience and knowledge they have gained.
The MSME program combines faculty expertise from two of UHD’s colleges – The College of Public Service and the College of Business.
UHD schedules classes in the two-year program for every other Saturday, to allow students to attend classes while working full time.
Candidates can apply at http://www.uhd.edu/admissions/graduate.html or request more information from the UHD Office of Admissions – Graduate Admissions, One Main Street, Suite 325-North, Houston, Texas, 77002-1001, 713-221-8522. Deadline for admission to the next class of students is Aug. 10.
