On May 8, the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design celebrated the Class of 2025 – 195 graduates whose academic experience is defined by resilience and adaptability. Many of these students started their academic journeys under unexpected circumstances at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging stronger and more prepared to tackle the demands of their future professional careers. As they close this transformative chapter, several graduates reflect on their unique experiences, offering insight and inspiration to those who follow in their footsteps.

The University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design continues to shape the future of the Gulf Coast through its investigative Gulf Futures studios, supported by a major grant from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). Awarded to advance community resilience and adaptation strategies along the Gulf Coast, the grant has catalyzed groundbreaking work by faculty and students, focusing on climate-responsive design, environmental justice, and sustainable infrastructure.

At the Hines College, resilience is a defining trait of who we are. This past year, our community demonstrated that spirit firsthand, adapting and working collaboratively through limited space and ongoing repairs to our building following Hurricane Beryl. Even amid challenges, our students and faculty continued to lead with purpose, designing solutions that strengthen, uplift, and prepare vulnerable communities for an uncertain future. Explore this issue of DIMENSION to see just how resilient the Hines College truly is.