University of Houston Downtown hosted its President’s Lecture, “Upskill Yourself: The Future of Work Starts Now,” on Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the Shea Street Building’s B-200 auditorium. The event brought together regional leaders to discuss reskilling, economic mobility, and the future of the Houston workforce. A complimentary lunch was provided for attendees.
Wendy Burns-Ardolino, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, moderated the conversation, which featured three expert panelists:
- Dr. Flávio Cunha, Ervin K. Zingler Chair of Economics at Rice University and Director of the Center for Economic Mobility at the Kinder Institute for Urban Research
- Jacquie Young-Hall, Workforce Development Program Manager at Port Houston
- Juliet Stipeche, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board and Director of Human Services at the Houston-Galveston Area Council
Stipeche’s extensive background in education, law, and public service set the tone for the discussion. With experience spanning the Houston Independent School District Board of Education, Rice University’s Tapia Center, and the Mayor’s Office of Education, she emphasized the importance of expanding access to high-demand career pathways and strengthening regional collaboration.
Her current leadership of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board and Human Services at H-GAC provided attendees with a clear picture of the workforce trends and challenges shaping the Gulf Coast region.
Themes from the Discussion
Panelists addressed strategies to support economic mobility, equitable career access, and lifelong learning, echoing UHD’s Quality Enhancement Plan, “Beyond the Bayou: Transferable Skills for the 21st Century.” Students and community members heard perspectives from research, industry, and workforce policy on how Houstonians, especially future graduates, can prepare for a rapidly evolving job market.
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