University of Houston System Chancellor Renu Khator has appointed Bill Flores, former president of University of Houston-Downtown (UHD), as a Research Fellow in the Institute for Educational Policy Research and Evaluation (IEPRE) in the College of Education at the University of Houston.
In this capacity, Flores will undertake research with an emphasis in his areas of expertise, specifically promoting equity, access and affordability in higher education. His research will, in turn, inform and shape System-wide policy initiatives.
Flores grew UHD both in size and reputation. He led efforts to successfully move the university from an open admissions institution to one with freshmen and transfer admission standards, while maintaining a student profile that reflects Houston's city population. He also established new undergraduate and graduate degrees, including the MBA and the master's of nonprofit management. Flores developed strong partnerships with community colleges, industry, and the community and launched a successful citywide branding campaign.
Also under Flores' leadership, UHD developed a vision, strategic plan and a focus on experiential and engaged learning, won the Coordinating Board's STAR Award for partnership with the Lone Star College System, received the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, and was one of only five institutions in Texas to receive Carnegie Classification as an Engaged University in 2015. Flores also led efforts that resulted in state legislative funding for a new Science and Technology building to house the university's rapidly growing STEM majors and to begin offering new degrees.
“We’re very fortunate to have someone of Dr. Flores’ caliber take on this challenging new task,” said Dr. Catherine Horn, the Executive Director of IEPRE. “Given his background and successes at the UHD, he brings a wealth of experience to this position.”
Flores, who has been president of UHD since 2009, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment. "I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to the national dialogue on access, equity, and affordability and to helping the UH System address these critical issues which are important to the future of Houston and the country."
Flores received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in social theory and public policy and a master's degree in political science from Stanford. He graduated cum laude from the University of California at Los Angeles with a bachelor's degree in political science.
For more information, contact Richie Hunter, vice chancellor of marketing, communication and media relations for the University of Houston System, at 713-743-8335.