Short Takes

September 9, 2020 | UHCL Staff

Beth Lewis named UHCL Pearland campus chief operations officer

Elizabeth U. Lewis will join University of Houston-Clear Lake’s leadership team as the first-ever interim associate vice president and chief operations officer for UH-Clear Lake at Pearland. Lewis has worked in public higher education for over 33 years, with the last 30 years in community colleges and universities in Texas. She will begin in her new role on Sept. 1.

“The most exciting part of being the first one in this role is that I love to start and build things, and it’s a big part of why I wanted this job,” Lewis said.

Lewis will be responsible for the implementation of the strategic plan, administration and management of all academics, continuing education, strategic enrollment management and public service program development.

“Dr. Lewis brings a passion for student success, community involvement and visibility through an open communication style that will advance the presence and impact of UHCL at Pearland throughout the community and region,” said UHCL President Ira K. Blake.

Visit UHCL Pearland's website for more information.

UHCL’s Miralles and author of ‘Latinas in Aviation’ to give presentation

Hawks are known for soaring, and a passion for aerospace has led to a unique University of Houston-Clear Lake connection to a barrier-breaking new book, “Latinas in Aviation.” Evelyn Miralles, UH-Clear Lake’s associate vice president for Strategic Information Initiatives and Technology and a former NASA engineer, authored the foreword of the book at the request of author Jacqueline Camacho Ruiz. Miralles and Ruiz will be speaking with aircraft mechanic and accident investigator author Amanda Grace Colon Nunez and flight instructor Yasmine Abu Arab about their unique passion for aviation. Together, they hope the book will inspire young Latinas toward a career path in aviation.

“I’m a pilot, and I have always known there was a strong connection between aerospace and aviation,” Ruiz said. “The pathway to becoming an astronaut is to be a pilot first. Forget about propellers—we need to talk about rocket fuel and jet engines! There is no one better for that than Evelyn, so I am very honored she accepted my invitation to write the foreword.”

The 'Latinas in Aviation' Zoom webinar will take place Sept. 24 at 11:30 a.m.

Friday Morning Continuing Ed: Reducing social distance

Friday Morning Continuing Education at University of Houston-Clear Lake kicks off its Fall 2020 lineup with Professor of Criminology Everette Penn. The presentation, to take place virtually on Oct. 2 at 9:30 a.m., is entitled “Police and Youth: Working to Reduce the Social Distance.” His discussion will explore social distance as a sociological term defining the closeness police officers, youth and adults feels toward each other and the application and outcomes today in light of the tension between police and the communities they protect.

Register for Friday Morning Continuing Education online. In order to receive login information on time, please enroll and register by Thursday, Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. All are welcome, regardless of age, residency or previous academic background.