UHS Chancellor Dr. Renu Khator

Dear UHD Community,

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Loren J. Blanchard is the sole finalist to become the seventh president of the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD).

Currently, he serves as executive vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at California State University, the largest and most diverse higher education system in the United States.

Dr. Blanchard comes to us as a proven leader, an accomplished administrator and a talented scholar. Throughout his admirable academic career, he has consistently demonstrated a passionate commitment to student success. Since UHD plays such an important role in Houston, we are fortunate to have an educator of his caliber to lead this institution. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Xavier University (of Louisiana), a master’s degree in education from McNeese State University and a Ph.D. in education psychology from the University of Georgia. In addition to his affiliation with CSU, he has also held senior leadership positions with Xavier University and LSU.

His selection comes after a comprehensive national search during the past six months to find a visionary, forward-thinking leader. The search was chaired by Robert Glenn, UH-Victoria president, and aided by a search committee made up of faculty, staff, students, administrators and alumni. I thank them for their diligence. I also wish to thank Antonio D. Tillis, who has served so ably as Interim President during this search.

Now that Dr. Blanchard has been named sole finalist, state law requires that 21 days must pass before final action can be taken by the Board of Regents on his official appointment. At that time, I look forward to enthusiastically introducing Dr. Blanchard as the seventh president of UHD. He is scheduled to take office March 15.

For more information, please see the UH System news release.

With warm regards,

Renu Khator