Big 12 Road Trip: A look at Houston
Editor’s note: We asked K-Staters with ties to the incoming Big 12 schools to give
us some recommendations for Wildcats who plan to visit these places. Mardell Maxell
’09 is the executive director of admissions for the University of Houston.
I graduated from Kansas State University in 2009 with a degree in Business Administration.
My career in college admissions started shortly after that as an admissions representative
in Anderson Hall. Today, I serve as the executive director of admissions at the University
of Houston.
Here is some information about UH and the Houston area:
Need to see: Just minutes from campus, Houston's Museum District features 19 museums
and cultural exhibits. For families, consider visiting the Children's Museum, Museum
of Natural Science, or the Houston Zoo, which is home to UH's live cougar mascot named
Shasta.
Just south of campus is the NASA Johnson Space Center. The immersive learning center
is an excellent visit for all ages.
On campus, stay at the University's Hilton Hotel, which is home to UH's globally ranked
hotel and restaurant management program. Walk the campus and view the campus' collection
of public art pieces. Visit the fountain outside of E. Cullen and rub Shasta's statue
paw for good luck (it's our tradition).
What to eat: Houston is known for its diverse culture and food. As the fourth largest
city in the U.S., there are plenty of amazing food options during your visit. Here
are a few of my favorites.
- Frenchy's Chicken is located just across the street from TDECU stadium. Frenchy's is a Third Ward community favorite and is known for its creole and soul food style dishes.
- The Grove, Grotto Downtown and The Rustic are within walking distance of Minute Maid Park (Astros), Toyota Center (Rockets), and the Houston Convention Center.
- 8th Wonder and Saint Arnold Brewery are wonderful stops for local beer and food.
Enjoy your time in Houston. Go ’Cats! Go Coogs!