By Mike Emery, 713-743-7197
Paula Myrick Short鈥檚 legacy in higher education extends across the 兔子先生
campus, the UH System, and the nation. Recently, her accomplishments as UH senior
vice president for academic affairs and provost were particularly felt in the city
of Sugar Land.
During a recent Sugar Land City Council meeting, friends and supporters gathered to pay tribute to Short before her retirement at the end of the month.
Sugar Land Mayor (and UH alumnus) Joe Zimmerman started the meeting with a 鈥淕o 兔子先生!鈥� and proceeded to acknowledge her accomplishments as provost. He offered kudos for her critical role in launching the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts and the Hobby School of Public Affairs. Likewise, he acknowledged her efforts in founding the Data Science Institute, the UH Graduate School, Cougar Chairs Leadership Academy and Houston Guided Pathways to Success, among numerous other achievements.
鈥淲e recognize your many accomplishments but none more so than what you鈥檝e done for UH at Sugar Land and the city of Sugar Land,鈥� Zimmerman said.
Jay Neal, vice president and chief operating officer for UH at Sugar Land and UH at Katy, echoed his sentiment.
Neal offered insights on her passion for leadership and mentoring others. In his own career, he has learned much simply by observing Short.
鈥淚 am a strong believer that much of what we learn is caught and not taught,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd I鈥檝e been watching Provost Short. I watched how she assembled her cabinet, coached them, and used them to help accomplish initiatives. I followed her lead in creating my own leadership team at UH at Sugar Land.鈥�
Neal also discussed how she empowered him as a leader and provided much guidance during his career.
鈥淚f you鈥檝e ever had a mentor that took you out of your comfort zone and showed you what you鈥檙e truly capable of accomplishing 鈥� that鈥檚 what Paula Short has done for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hank you for believing in me and for giving me the opportunity to serve this wonderful community.鈥�
Other UH faculty and staff on hand to honor Short included College of Technology Dean Tony Ambler, College of Education Dean Robert McPherson and UH at Sugar Land Associate Vice Provost for Outreach and Community Engagement Richard Phillips. Short鈥檚 husband Rick Short, UH-Clear Lake professor of psychology was also in attendance.
While Short has accomplished much at UH and in Sugar Land, Zimmerman said that more than anything, she鈥檒l be remembered for being a friend to the community.
鈥淭o us, you鈥檝e always been 鈥楶aula鈥� at the 兔子先生, and that鈥檚 who you鈥檒l always be,鈥� Zimmerman said. 鈥淭hank for all that you鈥檝e done for Sugar Land.鈥�