Seventh school officially launches at UTHealth Houston

UTHealth Houston marked a transformative milestone in its commitment to mental health with the official launch of the School of Behavioral Health Sciences, celebrated through a ribbon-cutting ceremony and symbolic time capsule event held on campus.

The event commemorated the beginning of the school’s inaugural academic year and the unveiling of its monument sign, a lasting symbol of UTHealth Houston’s dedication to advancing behavioral health education, research, and workforce development. Students, faculty, university leadership, and community partners gathered to honor the occasion and reflect on the urgent need to strengthen the behavioral health workforce.

Opening the ceremony with a message of purpose and vision was Jair C. Soares, MD, PhD, the university’s vice president for Behavioral Sciences and Pat R. Rutherford, Jr. Chair in Psychiatry at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, as well as founding dean of the School of Behavioral Health Sciences and executive director of the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center at UTHealth Houston.

“This moment is more than ceremonial, it’s a declaration of purpose,” he said. “We are here to build a school that will shape the future of behavioral health care through education, research, and service.”

Soares went on to emphasize the school’s mission to train professionals who will meet the growing mental health needs of communities with skill, compassion, and innovation.

LaTanya J. Love, MD, UTHealth Houston interim president, Alkek-Williams Distinguished Chair, and dean of Education at McGovern Medical School followed with remarks that underscored the university’s leadership in addressing the behavioral health shortage.

“This new school will stand as a cornerstone of our university’s commitment to behavioral health and workforce development,” Love said. She praised the collaborative efforts that brought the school to life and highlighted the importance of expanding access to care through education.

The ceremony concluded with a time capsule event led by Scott Lane, PhD, associate dean for Academic Affairs. Students placed symbolic items into the capsule that reflected their personal journeys and the collective story of the school’s founding.

Among the contributions were handwritten reflections, tokens of inspiration, and photos captured during the pivotal moment when the school was officially approved. Each item represented the vision, effort, and collaboration that brought the School of Behavioral Health Sciences to life.

“The capsule is a message to the future for our students, faculty, and community,” Lane said. “Each item placed inside represents who we are and what we represent.”

In closing remarks, Soares reflected on the deeper meaning behind the day’s events. “It is a symbol of our promise to elevate behavioral health, to expand access, and to empower those who serve,” he said.

With the ribbon officially cut, the time capsule sealed, and the first class of students now enrolled, UTHealth Houston has taken a bold and necessary step toward transforming behavioral health care. The launch of the school represents a powerful investment in the future — one that will expand access to care, elevate the field through research and education, and empower the professionals who serve our communities.

Recruitment is now open for fall 2026 across six graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, cognitive and behavioral sciences, and clinical social work. Prospective students are invited to become part of this movement and help shape the future of behavioral health.