UHD Presidential Search
Announcing Our Search
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is seeking out qualified presidential candidates who are interested in advancing our university’s mission of nurturing talent, generating, knowledge, and driving socioeconomic mobility for a just and sustainable future.
UHD is in an exciting phase of growth. To maintain the momentum, the next president is responsible for:
- effectively managing the institution and sustaining and enhancing the UHD’s mission and overall operations while fostering and building upon the existing traditions, distinctiveness, and strengths of the university;
- building, maintaining, and promoting collaborative and productive relationships across campus, the local community, and the region;
- cultivating every ingredient needed for success as an integral part of the University of Houston System (UHS); and
- creatively and proactively working as a change agent to better the university, the community, and the region.
The President reports directly to the UH System chancellor and has the autonomy to bring the best ideas to advance the mission, vision, brand, and efficacy of UHD in an open and supportive environment. This position requires a visionary and strategic thinker who provides strong and capable leadership in addressing the academic, operational, and strategic issues facing the university.
Presidential Profile
About the University of Houston-Downtown
UHD is a comprehensive four-year university that offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs aimed at career preparation. UHD has served the educational needs of Houston, the fourth-largest city in the U.S., for more than 50 years. Located in the heart of downtown Houston, one of the nation’s most culturally diverse metropolitan areas, UHD offers one of the lowest public university tuition rates in the city and ranks No. 27 among Top Performers on Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report (2023-24).
Serving more than 13,000 students, UHD is one of three distinct universities within the University of Houston System and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Search Committee
The Search Committee will be assisted by Anthem Executive and will complete its work during the summer and fall semesters, with the hope of filling the position by next spring. I thank the committee members for undertaking this very important task. The full list of committee members is below.
Chairs:
- Jack B. Moore, Chairman, UH System Board of Regents
- Dona Cornell, Vice Chancellor tor Legal Affairs and General counsel, UH System
UH System Regent Report
- Alonzo Cantu, Regent, UH System Board of Regents
Committee Members:
- Jason Smith
Vice Chancellor of Government and Community Relations, UH System - Richard Walker
President, UH-Clear Lake - Kimberly Lambert-Thomas
Vice President of Administration and Finance, UHD - Jonathan Davis
Interim Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, UHD - Travis Crone
Professor of Psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, UHD - Ashley Blackburn
Professor and Interim Chair of Criminal Justice and Social Work, College of Public Service, UHD
- Maria Benavides
Professor of Chemistry, College of Sciences and Technology; Faculty Council Member, UHD - Whitney Botsford Morgan
Professor of Management, Marilyn Davies College of Business, UHD - Ashleigh Petts
Assistant Professor of English, College of Humanities and Social Sciences; 2026-27 Faculty Council Presiding Officer, UHD - Yesenia Sanchez
2025-26 Staff Council President, UHD - Kemberley Osorto
2026-27 Student Government Association President, UHD - Zamaiah Robertson
2026-27 Graduate and Professional Student Association President, UHD - Paula Mendoza
UHD Community Member