Advancing Community Engagement and Service Institute - University of Houston
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ACES Institute

Partnering to Enhance Student Learning

Advancing Community Engagement and Service Institute

The ACES Institute at the University of Houston strives to improve the quality of life in the Houston region through academic-based service learning that supports student success and meets the needs of the community. We partner with schools and organizations to give real-world learning experiences to college students and to advance K-12 academic performance through evidence-based programming.

child being tutored

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

Our Academic Impact Cougar Tutors program allows UH students to work with elementary, middle and high school students, helping prepare them for success in higher education. Participants serve as tutors in various subjects and guide students toward academic growth and personal excellence.

Learn more about applying to be a Cougar Tutor!

Sangeetha Ranadeeve

TUTOR SPOTLIGHT

Alumna Sangeetha Ranadeeve served as a Cougar Tutor at Sterling High School in the Houston Independent School District for three years and said the impact of the tutors’ work was profound. 

“You see kids who feel like they’ve been bashing their head against the wall, and the moment they understand something and make progress, it’s like joy comes over them,” Ranadeeve told the Houston Chronicle. “I absolutely think this kind of work will make a difference.” 

FEATURES

  • President's Circle Award awarded to Dr. Anne McClellan.

    Dr. Anne McClellan and the ACES Institute Receive the President’s Circle Award

    Our Executive Director, Dr. Anne McClellan, and the team at the ACES Institute received the President's Circle Award. This award celebrates UH faculty who have published books and high-impact journal articles, received national recognition and were awarded major grants and U.S. patents. For more details, check out the full article from the UH Newsroom here.
  • Student using a 3D printer

    Career Test Drive

    Students from three partner schools visited the Judy Cook Building to take part in BridgeYear's Career Test Drive®. Students interacted with multiple careers at this exciting interactive experience.
  • Picture of a group of students for day of discovery

    Day of Discovery

    As part of the Middle School Postsecondary Project, middle school students from three of our partner schools visited the University of Houston campus. Students engaged in various science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities and explored the UH campus. 

  • Cougar Tutor with student

    Third Ward Literacy

    Our Cougar Tutors were featured in a video (see minute 5:40) during the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s 29th annual “A Celebration of Reading: Family, Faith, and Friends.” The foundation supports our Third Ward Literacy program.
  • centerpoint group picture with check

    Emergent Bilingual Students

    Thanks to the support of CenterPoint Energy, our Cougar Tutors are also making an impact to help emergent bilingual students develop literacy skills. The tutors work with elementary school students to make sure they are prepared for middle and high school.

Our Impact (2024-2025)

  • 40,000Tutoring hours provided
  • 100Cougar Tutors provided
  • 22Schools served
Aces Institute Building

Contact Us

We welcome your input, questions and interest in partnerships! 

UH ACES Institute
Judy Cook Building 
3922 Leek St. 
Houston, TX 77004 

Contact Executive Director Anne McClellan at amcclellan@uh.edu to learn how you can support our mission. 

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