By Marisa Ramierez
The story of the University of Houston (UH) at Sugar Land has two parts: its history as a University of Houston System (UHS) campus and its history as a University of Houston instructional site. Woven through its history, like the winding Brazos River, are partnerships with other higher education entities, city and county officials, as well as foundations, donors, and other supporters.
“Like everything we do, it starts with community – what does it need, what can we do and how can we be part of each other’s success,” said Jay Neal, associate vice president of academic affairs and chief operating officer since 2017.
UH expanded to Fort Bend County, which lacked a four-year university, when UH-Victoria (UHV) began offering classes in Sugar Land at the CentraPlex on Julie Rivers Road in 1994. By the next year, as enrollment grew, then-UH Systems (UHS) Chancellor William P. Hobby recognized a need to expand higher ed opportunities. All UHS institutions began offering classes at the CentraPlex, nearby Clements High School, and Wharton County Junior College.
In 1996 the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved a partnership with Wharton County Junior College, Houston Community College, and the UH System to build a higher education presence in Fort Bend County. By 1998, the halls were bursting at the seams. The Texas Department of Transportation transferred nearly 250 acres of land near the Brazos River for construction of a permanent facility.
Later in 1998, the City of Sugar Land and The George Foundation joined a construction campaign started by UHS Board of Regents with approval for an $11 million building. That effort led to the opening of The Albert & Mamie George Building in 2002.
By 2006, the UHS signed a long-term land lease that provided initial construction funds for a second building (and an adjacent festival site). Construction on Brazos Hall, at left, began the following year and it opened in 2008.
In 2011, an innovated three-way partnership with Fort Bend County, Wharton County Junior College, and the University of Houston led to the construction and opening of the University Branch Library, open to students, faculty, staff, and the community.
Check out the UH Sugarland anniversary page on the University of Houston Website!
Click here to check out the 30 year anniversary book of UH Sugarland!
Follow