Renu Khator will be inaugurated as the University of Houston’s 13th president and the UH System’s eighth chancellor at 2 p.m. today in the Cullen Performance Hall.
After being delayed because of Hurricane Ike, Khator’s investiture ceremony will mark 10 months since her January confirmationa as president.
As chancellor of the UH System, Khator oversees UH, UH-Downtown, UH-Clear Lake, UH-Victoria and teaching centers at Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch.
She also serves under and receives her authority from the UH System Board of Regents.
Born in Uttar Pradesh, India, Khator received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kanpur and her master’s degree and Ph.D. in political science from Purdue University.
She spent 22 years serving as provost, Hindi professor and senior vice president at the University of South Florida, one of the nation’s top research institutions.
With Building our Future: The First 100 Days, a report of the results of her first 100 Days Survey of more than 5,000 people with more than 11,000 suggestions, Khator outlined her agenda as UH president.
"I have read suggestions ranging from strengthening our on-campus community and improving graduation rates to attracting nationally prominent faculty and promoting stronger local research partnerships," said Khator in a letter to the UH community.
One of Khator’s main concerns is to make UH a premier research facility.
Khator said the University needs to recruit premier faculty members, strong facilities, good leadership and administrative support, increased funding and higher admission and academic standards to become a flagship research institution.
"Working together, we will strengthen the reputation of the University of Houston as a nationally premier research institution and continue to excel with student success as our fundamental mission," said Khator in a message to the UH community.
Khator also reported in the results of the survey that the University’s strengths are its location, diversity, faculty and curriculum, but the University must do a better job at promoting the University and advertising..
A line up of noted guests will attend the ceremony, including Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. Mayor Bill White and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.
Khator’s inauguration, a bonus to the Homecoming 2008 festivities, will kick off the Scholarship Reception for the UH community that will occur at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center following the investiture.
