President's Profile
Dr. Richard Walker
Email: president@uhcl.edu
Richard Walker joined University of Houston-Clear Lake as its sixth president on May
20, 2022, bringing over 40 years of leadership experience in higher education at both
public and private institutions.
Under his leadership, UHCL has experienced significant success. He led the implementation
of UHCL's strategic plan, 'Impact 2025 and Beyond: Transform, Translate, Transcend,'
which has been pivotal in transforming student lives through experiential learning
and workforce readiness. This period has seen record-breaking fundraising efforts,
with nearly $2.8 million raised, surpassing the goal by over a million dollars. Additionally,
the successful acquisition of 53 grants has yielded over $7.2 million in funding for
various educational and community projects in the 2022-2023 period.
Dr. Walker received his Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from the University of
Miami. He earned a Specialist in Education in Education Administration and Supervision
from Middle Tennessee State University, a Master of Education in Education Administration
and Supervision from Memphis State University and a Bachelor of Science in History
from Middle Tennessee State University. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Institutes
for Higher Education Management Development Program.
Under Walker’s leadership, UHCL has marked several notable achievements. During his
first year, UHCL graduated its largest class ever, with 2,427 students. Additionally,
Walker's tenure has significantly increased UHCL's economic impact on the local area,
contributing $1.1 billion, which equates to supporting 12,578 jobs in the university’s
service region.
Moreover, UHCL has made considerable strides in national and regional academic standings.
In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UHCL climbed 27 places to No. 304 nationally
and rose to No. 12 among public universities in Texas. It also advanced 66 spots to
No. 143 in the 'Top Performer for Social Mobility' category among national universities.
Walker’s impact extends beyond the campus as he actively contributes to regional and
national development. He is a member of the Board of Trustees for HCA Houston Healthcare
Clear Lake and the Board of Directors for Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership. He
also serves on the Executive Committee of the Council of Public University Presidents
& Chancellors (CPUPC). Strategic partnerships with major organizations like Boeing
and NASA have provided invaluable real-world experiences to UHCL students, further
enhancing their education and career readiness supporting community and workforce
development.
Recognized as a 2016 Pillar of the Profession by the NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators
in Higher Education - Foundation, Walker's dedication to higher education is evident
in his administrative achievements and active involvement in various professional
and honor societies. His vision for UHCL focuses on elevating the university among
the top public universities in Texas, enhancing the student experience, and anticipating
educational needs to ensure UHCL's relevance and influence in an evolving workforce
landscape.
Prior to his current role, Walker served as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services for the University of Houston System and Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services at the University of Houston. He also spent 24 years in significant leadership roles at the University of Miami.
Walker received his Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Miami. He earned a Specialist in Education in Education Administration and Supervision from Middle Tennessee State University, a Master of Education in Education Administration and Supervision from Memphis State University, and a Bachelor of Science in History from Middle Tennessee State University. He is also a graduate of the Harvard Institute for Higher Education Management Development Program.