Cougar Doll Turned Distinguished Alumna Gives Back in Style

Before she was an award-winning businesswoman and University of Houston alumna, Cindy Lewis (’93) was a Cougar Doll. Although two decades have passed since she graduated from the University and left the sports dance team, her fondness for the Dolls remains just as strong.

“My first semester as a Cougar Doll was when Andre Ware won the Heisman Trophy, and we were dancing in the dome. It was such an exciting time to be on the team! Now I focus on sharing my experiences with other Dolls and do what I can to make their time as a Cougar Doll a memorable one.”

Cindy Lewis (far right) during her Cougar Doll days

Lewis serves as a sponsor for the Cougar Dolls. In this role, she works to elevate their presence both in and out of athletic events.

The Cougar Dolls are part of the Cougar Marching Band, performing dance and drill routines on the field during home football and basketball halftime shows. With 23 roster positions and over 110 girls planning to try out this spring, the Dolls’ popularity has never been stronger. The current team is fresh off performing at the NCAA National Championship Final in San Antonio. This spring, they’ll also do appearances at UH baseball games.

“We held a trial run, dancing on the dugout,” Lewis said. “We did the fight song, and it was a huge success.”

“If I could say one thing to our alumni, it would be to give back to UH — financially or with your time. Just figure out how you can be a part of the University."

- Cindy Lewis -

As a Dolls sponsor, Lewis models the UH spirit of leadership and community involvement daily as she acts as part role model and part big sister to help however she can; some days she assists with uniforms, others she provides dinner or serves as a judge for the team. One of her favorite interactions is hosting the Doll Alumni mixers.

“If I could say one thing to our alumni, it would be to give back to UH — financially or with your time,” Lewis shares. “Just figure out how you can be a part of the University. It means so much to the students. Seeing that someone outside their family cares about them means a lot. It helps your connection to UH stay strong and empowers the students to reach their goals.”

Besides providing emotional support, Lewis also involves the Dolls in life at Lewis Jewelers. The Dolls appear in the store’s annual magazine, modeling a variety of merchandise with an emphasis on the UH spirit jewelry line.

There is a personal reason Lewis is so committed to involving Cougar Dolls in life at her jewelry store — she’s paying it forward.

While attending UH, Lewis worked as a part-time employee at the Lewis Jewelers, a Cougar 100 recognized business. Now that she’s a co-owner, married to Slade Lewis, son of the original founders, Cindy makes a point of supporting UH as much as she can. Aaliyah Brown ('25) is interning at the store. Christiane Davis ('91), another Cougar alumna, works with Lewis Jewelers in the finance department.

“It’s fun being around young people,” Lewis says. “My husband and I particularly love athletics and admire the drive in the competitors. I’m so impressed at how smart and focused these girls are, and it’s a gift to me to be able to spend time mentoring and supporting them.”

Lewis’s and her husband’s enthusiasm for supporting UH inspired them to join the Life Member program in 2017.

“The Life Member experience is a wonderful way to stay connected to the university. It’s always a pleasure to reconnect with old friends and meet new people who share the same passion for UH.”

Lewis’s generosity and enthusiasm as an alumna has not gone unnoticed. This year, she is an honored guest at the 2025 UHAA Alumni Awards Gala where she’ll receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.