2010-2013

In 2011, UH joined the ranks of top research universities in the nation when the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching announced that it had placed UH in its top category of research universities -- the equivalent of "Tier One."

Mirroring Houston's diversity, UH ranked as the second most diverse university in the country, boasting students from around the world representing different races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations. In 2012, the federal government designated UH a Hispanic Serving Institution, one of only three Tier One public universities to be so named, and an Asian-American Serving Institution. Both designations qualify the university for grants to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the recruitment of, minority students.

2012-2014

Phase I of the new University Center opened in 2013, including a two-story Barnes & Noble bookstore, theatre, food court, and expanded spaces for student organizations such as the Student Government Association and, for the first time, a dedicated Student Senate Chamber.

In late January to early February 2012, nearly 75 percent of the university's students approved a fee increase to begin construction on a new football stadium. The student body voter turnout was the largest in the school's history. The new stadium opened in August 2014.