Cougar Champion of the Month

The Cougar Parent and Family Engagement Center (CPFEC) believes that student success is strengthened by the people who support, encourage, and uplift students throughout their educational journey.

The Cougar Champion of the Month program was created to recognize the student parents, families, caregivers, chosen family, and support systems whose care, resilience, and commitment help Cougars thrive at the University of Houston.

Whether it is a student parent balancing coursework and family responsibilities, a parent cheering from the sidelines, a grandparent providing encouragement, or a trusted support system helping a student navigate challenges, Cougar Champions play an important role in student success, well-being, and belonging.

Every Cougar Has a Village

Student success does not happen in isolation.

For some students, their village includes parents, guardians, siblings, grandparents, spouses, mentors, caregivers, and chosen family who provide encouragement and support throughout their college journey.

For student parents, their village may include their children, family members, and support systems who inspire them to persist while balancing educational and caregiving responsibilities.

The Cougar Champion of the Month program celebrates the people who help make student success possible and recognizes the many forms a Cougar's village can take.

Who Can Be Recognized?

Cougar Champions may include:

• Student Parents
  • UH students who are actively raising or caring for children while pursuing their educational goals.
• Families and Supporters of UH Students
  • Parents, guardians, grandparents, siblings, extended family members, caregivers, chosen family, mentors, and support systems who contribute to a student's success, well-being, and college experience through encouragement, care, advocacy, and support.

If they are part of a Cougar's village, we want to celebrate them.

Monthly Selection & Recognition

Each month, the Cougar Parent and Family Engagement Center (CPFEC) selects and recognizes Cougar Champions of the Month in two categories:

• Student Parent of the Month
• Family or Support System of the Month

Selected honorees will receive a plaque and will be featured through CPFEC communications, including the CPFEC website, The Cougar Family Connect, social media, and other university platforms (with consent).

These monthly recognitions highlight the diverse ways student parents and support systems contribute to student success, well-being, and belonging at the University of Houston.

Selection Timeline

The Cougar Champion of the Month program follows a consistent monthly cycle so that nominations are reviewed fairly and recognized in a timely way.

• Nominations Open: First two weeks of each month
• Review Period: Third week of each month
• Selection & Notification: By the third Friday of each month
• Recognition: First week of the following month

For example, nominations submitted in August will be reviewed during August, and selected Cougar Champions will be recognized in September.

Ready to Make a Nomination?

Do you know someone who is part of a Cougar's village?

Help us recognize the student parents, families, caregivers, and support systems whose support helps Cougars succeed.

For any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at parents@central.uh.edu."