If you are worried about what to give that special someone, do not be, the various off-campus vendors along with campus organizations will be available during the event to provide several gift and service options, making the UC your one-stop-shop for Valentine's Day.  

Do not forget to visit Creation Station's booth, where you can purchase balloons, buttons, and bouquets.  Furthermore, during this event, SPB will host its third annual Stuff-A-Bear booth in the lower level of the UC Arbor, Shasta's Cones & More will be giving out free mini ice cream cones and the UC Student Staff will have a philanthropy station where students can create and sign Valentine's cards for the children at Texas Children's Hospital and Houston Hospice. For more information about the Matters of the Heart: Gift Mart, please contact Xavier Livingston at (713) 743-8516 or xlivingsl@central.uh.edu.

The Center for Leadership and Fraternity & Sorority Life (CLFSL) announced the creation of the Cougar Leadership Institute, scheduled for February 11-13, 2011. The Cougar Leadership Institute (CLI) is an in-depth, 3-day learning experience for new and emerging leaders at the University of Houston. At CLI, students will gain a foundational understanding of how to use leadership to affect positive change within organizations and communities, how to promote ethical decision-making as a campus leader, and how to identify their own personal style of leadership. Through guided learning experiences in both large group and small group, students will leave with new relationships comprised of a community of leaders and the ability to articulate their own personal philosophy of leadership.Students who attend the institute will learn the following:

Define leadership within the context of positive, transformative change.

1. Identify and examine core personal values that guide the process of transformative leadership.
2. Analyze individual leadership values in the context of group roles within organizations.
3. Investigate the role of ethical decision-making in promoting authentic leadership.
4. Articulate a personal philosophy of leadership based upon previously-identified leadership values. 

The Cougar Leadership Institute is a great opportunity for the University of Houston's new and emerging leaders. Students gain an understanding of leadership as a values-based process and are encouraged to become comfortable and adapt to change.

Students participating in CLI will travel and stay at Camp Holy Wild in New Caney, TX, which is about 45 minute from Houston.  This program is free to all UH students.

Interested students can apply on online by clicking here. Please contact Krystle Richard, Instructional Assistant for Leadership, at kdrichard@uh.edu for more information about the Cougar Leadership Institute. 

 
 

Staff Member: Lily Morales
 

Lily Morales

Lily Morales is the Lead Teacher for the Infant Room at the Children's Learning Center at the University of Houston. Born and raised in Houston, Lily's passion for child education drives her hard work in a relatively sensitive field. "I really love to work with the babies," says Lily, "I love to see them develop to the different stages. From sitting and crawling to walking and so on." Lily's hobbies include photography, playing the flute, and traveling.

 Student Staff Member: Nita Udhwani 

Nita Udhwani

Nita Udhwani is a Graphic Designer for Creation Station at the University Center. Born in Edison, New Jersey, Nita moved to Houston, Texas and graduated from Hightower High School before coming to the University of Houston. "I wanted to stay in Houston and The University of Houston's Art Program is amazing." Nita is expected to graduate in Spring 2013 with her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Graphic Design with a minor in Sociology and would like to pursue a career in the social change industry. Nita will be studying abroad this semester in Morocco, focusing on Sociology and Arabic studies.

Student Leader: Amanda Sigurdson
 

Amanda Sigurdson is the Director of Development for the Frontier Fiesta Association. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Amanda has lived in
 

several places before living in Houston, including London and Plano. After graduating from Cinco Ranch High School, Amanda decided to attend the University of Houston after an internship with Brock Thomas; a well-known criminal defense lawyer. She has been a very active student since the beginning of her college career, pledging Zeta Tau Alpha in Fall 2006 and serving as an SGA Class Senator and the Director of Development for Frontier Fiesta. "I loved doing the Frontier Fiesta shows for my sorority and year after year I wanted to get more involved," Amanda said, "so I applied and here I am."

Staff Member: Larry Flowers
 

Larry Flowers has been working in the University Center for the past 17 years.  He has worked as a locksmith, painter, carpenter and various other potions during his tenure. He has been involved with various aspects of the construction business since he was 4 years old. He decided to make a career out of it because he just happens to be good at it and he likes doing it.  
 

Larry Flowers

He enjoys the variety of his job and the fact that he really doesn't have a  daily routine.  Larry enjoys good music, some of his genres he listens to are classical, which is often playing in his workshop, pop, jazz, rock & roll, R&B, country, blues, and he occasionally likes hip hop.

 
Some of the craziest things Larry has done in is life were working offshore in the Middle East because of love, down hill skiing, and racing motorcycles.  
 

"I love my wife and her cooking and I often share her desserts with colleagues," Larry. Besides sharing his wife's desserts with the office, Larry enjoys the variety of his day and the since of satisfaction he receives for doing the job well. Larry is also a 2009 Staff Excellence Award recipient.
 

The Frontier Fiesta Association continues a long run of tradition as it prepares for Frontier Fiesta 2011. Frontier Fiesta will run from March 24th - 26th.

Every year this association prepares to collaborate on new ideas, and innovations for Frontier Fiesta. The association will transform our campus into a huge town known as Fiesta City.

Chancellor and President, Renu Khator, comments on this long going tradition stating, "Frontier Fiesta is student-run, student-led festival, and that makes me especially proud of its storied and celebrated history. Once featured in LIFE magazine as 'The Greatest College Show on Earth,' a strong case can be made that the festival is still worthy of that title today as it showcases the diverse talents of the University of Houston student body."

This tradition dates back to the 1940s when it was first established. It became one of the largest festivals in Houston, attracting numerous celebrities and people from all over. Aside from its fame Frontier Fiesta's final year was 1959.

In 1992, Frontier Fiesta was welcomed back to the University of Houston, as students worked together to continue this tradition. After eighteen years this student-based event has continued Cougar legacy, and it will continue it for another year.

Frontier Fiesta is a time where student bodies illustrate UH's talent and diversity. There is carnival booths, BBQ cook offs, variety shows, rides, historical exhibits, concerts, and much more. Majority of the attractions are hosted and set by student bodies and organizations.

One of the biggest accomplishments for Frontier Fiesta is the scholarships it rewards to current students. It has awarded over $58,000 in scholarships in the last years.

With all of this magnitude of work the Frontier Fiesta Association recruits students to become Assistant Directors, and literally make Frontier Fiesta happen. The association is fighting to keep this tradition alive, so future student experience this continuous event.   

Alumna Julia Desiderio answers about the importance of maintaining Frontier Fiesta alive. "The event is free to attend and invites people of all ages allowing the community to come together in a safe and fun environment. Since it's student-led, it gives many campus leaders an opportunity to get hands on by planning and organizing this grand event" says Desiderio.  

Frontier Fiesta seeks to maintain contact with alumni, so that they can share their memories and experiences with current students. It is currently asking alumni to email their fondest memories of Fiesta, so that other students become aware of this event.

It is the association's job to promote Frontier Fiesta to the student body, and showcase the importance of this event. Student Karina Lopez said, "I went to frontier fiesta last year and I had an awesome time! This is my senior year, so I am definitely going one last time. I'll probably end up going as an alumni too!" when asked about her experience at Frontier Fiesta. Lopez is a senior at UH graduating with a B.A. in Consumer Science.

Maintaining this tradition alive is not easy, and a lot of the support comes from fellow students. The Frontier Fiesta Association welcomes students of different majors to become part of the committee, and get an opportunity to continue establishing what this event is all about. Students receive the opportunity of learning about leadership, marketing tactics, fundraising, teamwork, and much more.
 

For more information visit Frontier Fiesta at

www.uh.edu/frontierfiesta,

call 713-743-518, or email at 

fiesta@uh.edu.

 Dance On
 

Dance On is the University of Houston student organization responsible for organizing Dance Marathon.  Dance Marathon is a charity program in which over 100 schools across America participate. Dancers participate in an 18 hour dance marathon in order to raise process for sick children.  All proceeds from the dance marathon go straight to Texas Children's Hospital and the families of sick children who are not able to pay treatment expenses.

During the event, Dance On will have musical guests, dance competitions (including a competition between fraternities and sororities) and speakers. Speakers include doctors, children, and the families of these children. The 4^th annual Dance Marathon will take place February 18-19, 2011 in the University Center Houston Room. In addition to the main event, Dance On will have a series of events and activities throughout February to continue to raise funds.

Dancers must be UH students and pay a registration fee of $5.  Register by visiting http://www.uh.edu/uhdm/ and following  the directions to become a dancer. Dancers are encouraged raise donations or encourage friends to become dancers themselves.

For more information email DanceOn@uh.edu or visit http://www.uh.edu/uhdm/

During the fall semester, the University Centers hosted a Poerty Slam where our Poetry slam Team was selected to represent the University of Houston in poetry competitions.  This semester, the University Center will host an open mic poetry night on Tuesday, February 8th in the UC Food Court at 7 PM where students can express themselves through poetry, art, and/or music. We will have a special host IN-Q who will also perform during the event. In order to share, students must register via email no later than Monday, February 7th by 5 PM.