Renu Khator
Encyclopedia
Renu Khator is the eighth chancellor of the University of Houston System
and the thirteenth president of the University of Houston
. She is the first foreign-born president of the university, and the second woman to hold the position. Khator is also the first Indian American
to lead a major research university in the United States, and is the second Indian American to lead an accredited university in the United States.
in 1973. Moving soon thereafter, she attended Purdue University
, and received Master of Arts in political science and a Doctor of Philosophy in political science and public administration in 1975 and 1985, respectively.
Beginning in 1985, Khator began a 22-year career affiliation with the University of South Florida
. She served in various positions, culminating in her position as provost and senior vice president of the university.
On October 15, 2007, Khator emerged as the sole-finalist for the vacant dual-position as chancellor of the University of Houston System
and president of the University of Houston
. On November 5, 2007, she was confirmed by the University of Houston System Board of Regents for the dual-position. Renu Khator officially took her position on January 15, 2008 and became the third person to hold a dual position of University of Houston System chancellor and University of Houston president.
On January 13, 2011, Khator was appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
board of directors, to serve out the remainder of an unexpired term ending December 31, 2011.
, Uttar Pradesh
(India
). Through a traditional arranged marriage, she married her husband, Suresh, in 1974. Suresh—another Purdue graduate—holds a doctorate in engineering, and is a professor and associate dean of the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering
. The Khators have two daughters, Pooja and Parul, who are both ophthalmologists. As chancellor of UH System and president of the University of Houston, she takes residence in the Wortham House provided for her and the family in the Southampton neighborhood of Houston.
University of Houston System
The University of Houston System is a state university system in Texas, encompassing four separate and distinct universities. It has two system centers, which operate as and distance learning course delivery sites for its universities...
and the thirteenth president of the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
. She is the first foreign-born president of the university, and the second woman to hold the position. Khator is also the first Indian American
Indian American
Indian Americans are Americans whose ancestral roots lie in India. The U.S. Census Bureau popularized the term Asian Indian to avoid confusion with Indigenous peoples of the Americas who are commonly referred to as American Indians.-The term: Indian:...
to lead a major research university in the United States, and is the second Indian American to lead an accredited university in the United States.
Career
Prior to moving to the United States, Khator earned a bachelor's degree from the Kanpur UniversityKanpur University
Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University , formerly Kanpur University, is a public university located in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is administered under the state legislature of the government of Uttar Pradesh. The university has more than 350 affiliated colleges spread over 15 districts of...
in 1973. Moving soon thereafter, she attended Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
, and received Master of Arts in political science and a Doctor of Philosophy in political science and public administration in 1975 and 1985, respectively.
Beginning in 1985, Khator began a 22-year career affiliation with the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
. She served in various positions, culminating in her position as provost and senior vice president of the university.
On October 15, 2007, Khator emerged as the sole-finalist for the vacant dual-position as chancellor of the University of Houston System
University of Houston System
The University of Houston System is a state university system in Texas, encompassing four separate and distinct universities. It has two system centers, which operate as and distance learning course delivery sites for its universities...
and president of the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
. On November 5, 2007, she was confirmed by the University of Houston System Board of Regents for the dual-position. Renu Khator officially took her position on January 15, 2008 and became the third person to hold a dual position of University of Houston System chancellor and University of Houston president.
On January 13, 2011, Khator was appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas covers the Eleventh Federal Reserve District, which includes Texas, northern Louisiana and southern New Mexico....
board of directors, to serve out the remainder of an unexpired term ending December 31, 2011.
Personal life
Khator was born in FarrukhabadFarrukhabad
Farrukhābād , is one of the important cities of Central Doab Region in the State of Uttar Pradesh in northern India. The city was founded in 1717 by Mohammed Bangash who named it after the Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar. Farrukhabad is situated on the bank of sacred river Ganges.-Demographics: India...
, Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh abbreviation U.P. , is a state located in the northern part of India. With a population of over 200 million people, it is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity...
(India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
). Through a traditional arranged marriage, she married her husband, Suresh, in 1974. Suresh—another Purdue graduate—holds a doctorate in engineering, and is a professor and associate dean of the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering
Cullen College of Engineering
The Cullen College of Engineering, one of twelve academic colleges at the University of Houston, was established in 1941 and is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. More than 3,250 students are enrolled in engineering courses—2,569 undergraduates, 710 masters and doctoral...
. The Khators have two daughters, Pooja and Parul, who are both ophthalmologists. As chancellor of UH System and president of the University of Houston, she takes residence in the Wortham House provided for her and the family in the Southampton neighborhood of Houston.
External links
- Office of the Chancellor and President, Renu Khator
- Interview on C-SPANC-SPANC-SPAN , an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels , one radio station and a group of websites that provide streaming...
program Q&A with host Brian LambBrian LambBrian Patrick Lamb is the founder and chief executive officer of C-SPAN, a television network dedicated to coverage of government proceedings and public affairs. Born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana, Lamb earned a degree from Purdue University before joining the United States Navy...