Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

This year, we are honored to celebrate and welcome 251 MSW graduates and 6 PhD recipients into the ranks of our incredible alumni. Commencement speaker, former Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter, and Spirit of Social Work Honoree, Representative Garnet F. Coleman, inspired graduates as they prepare to join the more than 6,000 alumni of the Graduate College of Social Work.

View the GCSW 2025 Commencement Photos here! 

Commencement Speaker

Drawing inspiration from the lyrics and teachings of Beyoncé’s seminal album Lemonade, Former Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter encouraged GCSW graduates to embody strength and perseverance—transforming the inevitable “lemons” of their social work journey into powerful acts of resilience. “Resilience is not passive,” she reminded them. “It is not quiet suffering. It is the radical act of surviving and transforming the systems that were never built with you—or the people you may help—in mind.” She closed with a powerful and poignant charge to the graduating class of 2025: You are not just graduates today. You are healers. You are advocates. You are agitators. You will not be silenced.

Congresswoman Lee Carter is a dedicated advocate for children and community empowerment, inspired by her late mother, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. With extensive experience across federal, state, and local government, as well as the non-profit sector, Congresswoman Lee Carter has consistently focused on effecting positive change through impactful policy-making. After the passing of her mother, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, in July 2024, the Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter was elected to serve Texas's 18th Congressional District in a special election. She assumed office on November 12, 2024 becoming the first daughter to immediately succeed a mother in the United States Congress. She served until January 3, 2025, completing her mother's term in the 118th Congressional term. During her tenure, the Congresswoman was sworn into the Congressional Black Caucus and became the 95th member of the Democratic Women's Caucus,  voted on 61 bills including the trillion dollar budget, hosted a community federal job fair, co-lead legislation to combat human trafficking in school zones, and secured extended federal deadlines and resources to address environmental justice issues in Houston's Fifth Ward.

A Special Moment

The GCSW was proud to celebrate a special milestone with MSW students Lourdes Ocasio and Fiama Villagrana-Ocasio—a mother-daughter duo graduating together. When asked who her social work hero is, Fiama simply said, “It’s my mom.” Congratulations, Lourdes and Fiama! Read the full story, A Legacy in the Making: Pursuing Purpose Together.

2025 GCSW Award Winners 

This year the college invited hybrid students, Johanna Nimmons and Richard Tran, to the podium to announce the recipients of this year’s Graduate College of Social Work student awards.

Every year the Graduate College of Social Work honors students, staff, faculty and community who exemplify the GCSW’s beliefs, values and actions of an exceptional character. The awardees were recognized at this year’s GCSW Commencement and were voted on by the student body. Congratulations to all the winners!   

Barbara Jordan Integrity Award: Alirma Davis

Jane Addams Unity Award:  Ron Youngblut

Malala Yousafzai Peace Award:  Ashley Evans

Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award: Candace Tavares

Dolores Huerta Service Award: Ana Maria Bohorquez Salinas

Outstanding Staff Award: Tan Tidwell

Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award: Stephanie Eisenbaum

Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award: Steven Parks

Outstanding Tenured or Tenure Track Faculty Award: Jessica Bagneris

Spirit of Social Work Award

This year we renewed an award for the college, the Spirit of Social Work Award. This award goes to an outstanding community member who has shown dedication and commitment to both the GCSW and our students over the years. For this award, nominations are invited from the GCSW community, and the award recipient is voted on by a committee of faculty and staff.

We are proudly to honored the Honorable Garnet F. Coleman with this year’s Spirit of Social Work Award. Honorable Coleman is also receiving the inaugural UH Alumni Association Foundation’s “Honorary Alumnus” award given to a person who is not a graduate or former student of UH but, through their loyalty, service, support, and commitment to UH, has earned this recognition and honor. Recipients of this award embody UH’s Core Values: Innovation, Collaboration, and Resilience.

Commencement Reception 

After commencement, over 300 graduates, families, and staff celebrated with laughter, heavy hor d'oeuvres, and champagne toast at the GCSW Jewel Box during our annual reception. Congratulations to you all!