In light of her recent accomplishments, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators will award Chancellor and President Renu Khator the NASPA President’s Award.
Khator will accept the honor during NASPA’s 96th annual conference in Baltimore, which ends today.
“Since Student Success is our top priority at UH, I am especially gratified to be recognized by an illustrious organization made up of Student Affairs professionals,” she said. “This award is really a tribute to the dedication and hard work of our faculty and staff, who help our students shape their future and achieve their goals. The NASPA honor is another wonderful reminder of that.”
According to the NASPA website, the President’s Award “is a special recognition given to a college or university President/Chancellor who has advanced the quality of student life on campus by supporting student affairs staff and programs over a sustained period of time.”
A NASPA Board of Directors approves nominees for the reward, as designated by any NASPA member.
“President Renu Khator has introduced more than 4,000 students to on-campus housing,” NASPA said in a promotional video. “She has championed an $80 million University Center to enhance the residential environment. She not only supports living and learning communities but has found ways to engage faculty in residential life with her faculty-in-residence program.”
NASPA did not choose Khator on residential life successes alone, however. Her efforts in finances were lauded as well.
“Her goal was to elevate the University of Houston to a Tier One university,” NASPA said. “She met that goal five years ahead of projections. Colleagues say she listens to the faculty and students, supporting changes to the financial aid office to improve customer service, enhanced web access and allows the University to better attract students.”
Finally, another criterion was based on personal interaction.
“She has monthly meetings with the student government leaders and speaks to more than 9,000 new students in their classes each semester,” NASPA said. “She has more than 11,000 Twitter followers, mostly students. They call her approachable and passionate — and a rock star. We agree.”
