Advancing Community Engagement and Service Institute

The ACES Institute at the University of Houston strives to improve the quality of life in the Houston region through academic-based service learning that supports student success and meets the needs of the community. We partner with schools and organizations to give real-world learning experiences to college students and to advance K-12 academic performance through evidence-based programming.

About the Institute

JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

Our Academic Impact Cougar Tutors program allows UH students to work with elementary, middle and high school students, helping prepare them for success in higher education. Participants serve as tutors in various subjects and guide students toward academic growth and personal excellence.

Learn more about applying to be a Cougar Tutor!

TUTOR SPOTLIGHT

Alumna Sangeetha Ranadeeve served as a Cougar Tutor at Sterling High School in the Houston Independent School District for three years and said the impact of the tutors’ work was profound.

“You see kids who feel like they’ve been bashing their head against the wall, and the moment they understand something and make progress, it’s like joy comes over them,” Ranadeeve told the Houston Chronicle. “I absolutely think this kind of work will make a difference.”

Program Spotlight

Career Test Drive
Students from three partner schools visited the Judy Cook Building to take part in BridgeYear's Career Test Drive^®. Students interacted with multiple careers at this exciting interactive experience.
Day of Discovery
As part of the Middle School Postsecondary Project, middle school students from three of our partner schools visited the University of Houston campus. Students engaged in various science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities and explored the UH campus.
Third Ward Literacy
Our Cougar Tutors were featured in a video (see minute 5:40) during the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s 29thannual “A Celebration of Reading: Family, Faith, and Friends.” The foundation supports our Third Ward Literacy program.
Emergent Bilingual Students
Thanks to the support of CenterPoint Energy, our Cougar Tutors are also making an impact to help emergent bilingual students develop literacy skills. The tutors work with elementary school students to make sure they are prepared for middle and high school.