University of Houston Athletics
Houston Administrator DeJuena Chizer Announces Retirement
2/27/2026 9:00:00 AM | General
Longtime Houston administrator set to retire at the end of March following 30 years at UH
HOUSTON – Following 30 years of faithful service at the University of Houston, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development and SWA DeJuena Chizer will retire at the end of March.
"Every chapter of my time as a Cougar, whether I was lacing up my shoes as a student athlete or breaking down film as a coach and working behind the scenes as an administrator was defined by relationships ". "The student athletes who pour their hearts into representing this university, the colleagues who show up every day with passion and purpose and the community that rallies around us with unwavering pride… that's what makes this place special. There's a unique spirit here, a sense of belonging that you don't just experience you carry it with you. Being a part of that experience for nearly 30 years has been the greatest privilege of my career."
Following her career as a student-athlete, Chizer coached high school basketball in her hometown of Port Arthur, Texas before returning to her alma mater in 2000 as an assistant coach. She helped coach the Cougars to two NCAA Tournaments, including the programs highest seed (3 seed) in 2004 and won the program's lone NCAA Tournament game that year.
Following eight seasons as an assistant coach, Chizer transitioned down the hall to be an administrator (Senior Woman Administrator). Chizer continued her journey by being promoted to Associate Athletics Director and from there to the position as Senior Associate AD and now in her current and final role as Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development and Senior Woman Administrator.
Chizer provided administrative oversight to several sports programs during her post-coaching career and was responsible for the overall welfare and development of Houston student-athletes.
She spearheaded Houston's efforts to add a Student-Athlete Development department and Cougars' Mental Health Services that has helped hundreds of student-athletes with overall health and wellness.
She had direct departmental oversight of the Academic Center for Excellence, Student-Athlete Welfare and Development, Sports Medicine, Sports Nutrition, Career Development, Counseling Services and served as a Sport Administrator for several sports. Chizer also serves as the athletic department's liaison to Title IX and the Dean of Students Offices.
"For more than 30 years, DeJuena has embodied what it means to be a Cougar," Vice President for Athletics Eddie Nuñez said. As a former student-athlete, coach and administrator, she dedicated her career to elevating the student-athlete experience for all Coogs. I am thankful for having had the opportunity to have worked alongside DeJuena for the last year and want to say thank you to her, Derrick and their entire family on behalf of everyone here at the University of Houston."
In addition to her role as SWA and overseeing Student-Athlete Development services, Chizer served a five-year appointment to the NCAA Women's Basketball Committee. In her role as part of the committee, she was responsible for the NCAA Women's Basketball tournament selections, seeding, and bracketing.
Chizer and her husband Derrick have two daughters, Kasei (currently a physician) and the late Kaila (formerly Director of Basketball Operations for the Houston's Women's Basketball program) who along with Chizer are proud Houston graduates.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of University of Houston Athletics by providing NIL opportunities and by joining Cougar Pride which provides financial support for student-athlete scholarships and priority needs of the Athletics Department.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougars on X, formerly Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at HoustonAthletics or on the team's Instagram page at houstoncougars.
"Every chapter of my time as a Cougar, whether I was lacing up my shoes as a student athlete or breaking down film as a coach and working behind the scenes as an administrator was defined by relationships ". "The student athletes who pour their hearts into representing this university, the colleagues who show up every day with passion and purpose and the community that rallies around us with unwavering pride… that's what makes this place special. There's a unique spirit here, a sense of belonging that you don't just experience you carry it with you. Being a part of that experience for nearly 30 years has been the greatest privilege of my career."
Following her career as a student-athlete, Chizer coached high school basketball in her hometown of Port Arthur, Texas before returning to her alma mater in 2000 as an assistant coach. She helped coach the Cougars to two NCAA Tournaments, including the programs highest seed (3 seed) in 2004 and won the program's lone NCAA Tournament game that year.
Following eight seasons as an assistant coach, Chizer transitioned down the hall to be an administrator (Senior Woman Administrator). Chizer continued her journey by being promoted to Associate Athletics Director and from there to the position as Senior Associate AD and now in her current and final role as Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development and Senior Woman Administrator.
Chizer provided administrative oversight to several sports programs during her post-coaching career and was responsible for the overall welfare and development of Houston student-athletes.
She spearheaded Houston's efforts to add a Student-Athlete Development department and Cougars' Mental Health Services that has helped hundreds of student-athletes with overall health and wellness.
She had direct departmental oversight of the Academic Center for Excellence, Student-Athlete Welfare and Development, Sports Medicine, Sports Nutrition, Career Development, Counseling Services and served as a Sport Administrator for several sports. Chizer also serves as the athletic department's liaison to Title IX and the Dean of Students Offices.
"For more than 30 years, DeJuena has embodied what it means to be a Cougar," Vice President for Athletics Eddie Nuñez said. As a former student-athlete, coach and administrator, she dedicated her career to elevating the student-athlete experience for all Coogs. I am thankful for having had the opportunity to have worked alongside DeJuena for the last year and want to say thank you to her, Derrick and their entire family on behalf of everyone here at the University of Houston."
In addition to her role as SWA and overseeing Student-Athlete Development services, Chizer served a five-year appointment to the NCAA Women's Basketball Committee. In her role as part of the committee, she was responsible for the NCAA Women's Basketball tournament selections, seeding, and bracketing.
Chizer and her husband Derrick have two daughters, Kasei (currently a physician) and the late Kaila (formerly Director of Basketball Operations for the Houston's Women's Basketball program) who along with Chizer are proud Houston graduates.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of University of Houston Athletics by providing NIL opportunities and by joining Cougar Pride which provides financial support for student-athlete scholarships and priority needs of the Athletics Department.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougars on X, formerly Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at HoustonAthletics or on the team's Instagram page at houstoncougars.
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