University of Houston Students Shine in Amazon Prime’s “The College Tour”

The University of Houston will be streaming into homes and on devices across America this fall. UH is featured in a 30-minute episode of the acclaimed Amazon Prime Video series “The College Tour.” The series showcases what life is truly like on college campuses and tells the story of an institution through the lens of its students.

The University of Houston episode was filmed over several days in April. Ten students provide personal perspective on everything from academics, housing, athletics, career preparation, campus life, Houston’s vibrant culture and more.

“The show offers a glimpse into what makes the University of Houston a unique and special place,” said Lisa Holdeman, UH vice president for marketing and communications. “It’s exciting to see the talents of our students on full display. We are grateful they were willing to share unique perspectives about their experiences at UH.”

In an online exclusive segment “Coffee with the President,” UH President Renu Khator sat down with series creator and host Alex Boylan, a previous winner of CBS’s Amazing Race, to talk about the endless possibilities that Houston presents and how the University of Houston provides a pathway for social mobility.

“Everything is possible in Houston. It’s incredible. The way their lives get transformed, that’s how I define success here at the University of Houston,” said Khator.

Meet the Coogs on “The College Tour”

UH student hosted segments detailing why there is something for everyone at UH.

Academic Excellence:  “I came from a family where we didn’t have a roadmap for success in higher education,” said Jonathan Gaucin, an electrical engineering major and first-generation student from Houston.

Gaucin discusses the transformative academic opportunities he’s found in the Honors College and his experiences with undergraduate research projects on robotics and AI.

Why UH?:  Alexa Emmons, a senior from New Braunfels majoring in human nutrition and foods, hosts a segment featuring the expansive opportunities available to students and the positive impact she has made working at the Cougar Cupboard, UH’s food pantry.

Whose House? Coogs’ House!:  Maithili Padhye a sophomore double major in management information systems and marketing from Katy, shares her experiences as a Cougar fan.

“I love the balance between hard work and play here. Our student-athletes and fans are supportive and compassionate and together it’s a culture that I have learned to love,” Padhye said.

St udent Life:  Natalie Linde, a freshman majoring in biomedical engineering, got involved in student life right away – attending social events, joining student organizations and making a close group of friends to set herself up for future success. She gives a tour of campus life.  

Campus Life:  Alexander Mizerik, a senior history major from Sugar Land shows viewers what it’s like to live on campus. UH is home to one of Texas' largest resident communities, where 8,000 students live in nine residence halls on campus.

Hands-on Experience:  Sydney Commerford is a senior journalism major who chose UH, in part, for the training it offers outside the classroom. “UH helps open doors to the future with access to internships, research opportunities and learning abroad programs. I ultimately chose the University of Houston to reach my dreams,” she said.

Different Paths to a Degree:  Veronica Nwanna, a recent graduate of the journalism program and future law schools student, discusses the flexible degree options that allowed her to graduate early.

Community and Support at UH:  Omar Castanon, a junior strategic communications major explains how UH is helping students not just succeed academically but also take care of themselves outside the classroom.

“UH has equipped me with the essential tools for success and support through the emotions that come with being a first-generation student,” he said. “The University of Houston has afforded me numerous support systems to pursue higher education, a dream I once thought unattainable.”

Houston, Space City:  Natalia Marinero, a senior public relations major from Conroe, talks about the world-class opportunities that the city of Houston provides students.

“When I was looking at colleges, I knew that I wanted to have the opportunity to live in a city that gave me world-renown experiences. Whether it would be to live in one of the most diverse cities or professional advancement, I knew that living in Houston and attending UH was the best decision that I could have made for myself,” Marinero said.

UH Traditions:  From the exhilarating rush of Frontier Fiesta to the jubilant celebration of Homecoming, traditions at UH carry a unique story, Sophomore Psychology major Lalaine Ramos reflects on UH’s shared history and collective pride .