Challenger Program
Who We Are
Welcome to the Challenger Program! Challenger is designed to assist students in every way possible to complete post-secondary education at the University of Houston.
The Challenger Program is a formally federally funded “Student Support Services” TRIO Project funded by the Department of Education. The Challenger Program is now funded under Student Success Services. Established at the University of Houston in 1987, this program was designed to assist students who are primarily low-income and/or first-generation college students to complete their education at the University of Houston. Student participants come from an array of backgrounds that cut across all ethnic/racial, gender, and socio-economic boundaries.
- 732023-2024 Challenger Graduates
- 1323Challenger Alumni
- 300+Active Challenger Students
Challenger Program Services
Academic Monitoring & Support
The Challenger Program will monitor your academic status to ensure you are on the path to success.Financial Aid Assistance & Advocacy
Applying for financial aid can be a struggle for some students. The Challenger Program staff will help ensure that participants have the financial information they need so that they may continue their post-secondary education. Whether you're using the FAFSA or TASFA applications, visit us for information about deadlines, disbursement dates, types of financial aid available, and more.
Degree Mapping
Do you have questions about your degree plan, and your academic advisor has not appointments available? Challenger can help!Priority Registration
Active students in the Challenger Program are eligible for Priority Registration! This means they are able to enroll in classes before other groups of students, when enrollment begin for each semester.
Meet the Challenger Peer Assistants
Challenger Student Spotlights
Jonathan Tran Becomes Peer Assistant Leader (PAL)
Congratulations to Challenger Student Jonathan Tran who was selected to work as a Peer Assistant Leader (PAL) in the Retention and Graduation Office. Challenger is proud of his efforts in regards to helping plan and launch an instagram page for PALs. This Monday Jonathan launched their first post as an instagram reel which introduces Jonathan and the other PALs.
I am sharing this information with you all in hopes that you will support your fellow Challenger Student by reviewing and liking his post. This program is a great resource to guide and support students through college by connecting them with invaluable campus resources, and in reaching and assisting more students.
Fall 2023 Graduating Challenger Students
Student Spotlight: Dulce Otero
The Challenger Program is consistently thrilled about our students and their achievements, whether they involve participation in campus organizations and clubs, internships, scholarships, or studying abroad. We are committed to acknowledging and celebrating every accomplishment of our first-generation students.
Today, we'd like to highlight Dulce Otera, a Public Affairs Major with a minor in Sociology, who aspires to attend law school. She is an active member of Lambda Theta Alpha. If you're a student interested in learning more about Lambda Theta Alpha or in joining this organization, please don't hesitate to reach out to Dulce for more information.
Spring 2024 Graduating Challenger Students
Challenger Alumni Spotlights
Porshe Randall ('09) and Eduardo Arzate ('20) recently appeared as guest speakers at the 2024 Annual Challenger Program Banquet
Welcome to the Family!
Requirements for Admission to the Challenger Program
Interested applicants must:
- Be currently enrolled at the University of Houston campus.
- Come from a home where neither parent has earned a four-year college degree.
- Be willing to attend a scheduled orientation prior to registration.
- Have a sincere desire to complete a degree program at the University of Houston.
Challenger Alumni
Alumni Profile
We'd like to keep up with you after you graduate from UH! Please help us develop our alumni database by completing your alumni contact profile.
Donations
As Challenger Alumni and supporters, we would like to continue your involvement in the Challenger Program and allow you the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students who will be the first in their family to graduate college. There are many ways that you may help!
Contact Us
We are eager to help you!
In Person
The Challenger office is located on the 3rd floor of the Student Service Center 1, room 319, located at UH Entrance 6, between the University of Houston Health Center and the Ezekiel W. Cullen Building. The closest student parking lot (9C) is located on Wheeler Street. There is also metered parking along Entrance 6.
By phone
(713) 743-5420
By email
Monica Floyd, Program Director
mfloyd2@uh.edu
Connect with us!
