Indo-US Renu Khator named head of US education body

Indian-American Renu Khator has been elected chair of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education (ACE), the major coordinating body for US colleges and universities.

Uttar Pradesh born Khator, University of Houston President and System Chancellor since 2008, became board chair during ACE’s 97th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC Monday.

Earning a bachelor’s degree at the University of Kanpur, she received her master’s and PhD in political science from Purdue University, Indiana.

She succeeds James H. Mullen, Jr., president of Allegheny College, Pennsylvania, and will serve for one year. Before becoming ACE Board chair, Khator served as vice chair.

“It will be a privilege to serve as chair of the American Council on Education during a period of major challenges and enormous opportunities for higher education,” Khator said.

Prior to her appointment, she was provost and senior vice president at the University of South Florida, capping a 22-year career at that institution.