Dr. Reginald DesRoches, the president of Rice University, is set to discuss “A Vision for the Future of Higher Education” as part of Valdosta State University’s 2023-2024 College of Science and Mathematics Seminar Series. DesRoches, who became Rice University’s eighth president over a year ago, will share his experiences in overcoming challenges in higher education and outline his vision for the future.

As a leader at a premier research university with over 7,500 students, eight schools, and more than 700 faculty, DesRoches has a unique perspective on the challenges facing higher education in the United States. Despite these challenges, Rice University continues to thrive and exceed expectations under his leadership. DesRoches, born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and raised in Queens, New York, has a strong academic background, earning his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Structural Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

Before serving as president, he joined Rice University as the William and Stephanie Sick dean of engineering in 2017 and later became the Howard Hughes provost, where he prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion and launched new programs. Now as the president, DesRoches aims to elevate Rice University to a new level of distinction nationally and internationally for impactful research, award-winning scholarship, and creative work.

He also has plans to build graduate programs of the same distinction as the university’s top-rated undergraduate programs. The seminar provides an opportunity for the broader community to gain insights into the challenges and future directions of higher education from a leader actively shaping the vision of a prominent research institution.