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UHCL Administrative Leadership

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Leadership at UHCL

Leaders at University of Houston-Clear Lake take to heart its mission of offering high-quality instruction and nationally accredited academic programs so students can develop vital critical thinking, creative, quantitative, leadership and communication skills. The administration and academic leaders have developed cooperative and mutually beneficial relationships, thanks to a shared vision for excellence and sustained growth. UHCL strives to fulfill its commitment to create a campus that makes the needs, interests and success of its students its top priorities.

UHCL Administration

Administrative and academic leadership of UHCL comprises four primary units:

  • Office of the President – The public face of the university, while providing the necessary leadership for all activities, goals and directives
  • Academic Affairs and Provost – The leading voice for the faculty and students in all academic matters and concerns
  • Administration and Finance – The driver for day-to-day operations related to budget, human resources, campus safety and more
  • Student Affairs – The anchor for campus life, student engagement and support services
  • Strategic Enrollment Management – The office aimed at helping the university achieve and maintain optimal recruitment, retention and graduation rates
  • University Advancement – The division that elevates the university through engagement, promotion, and fundraising
Office of the President

Dr. Ira Kincade Blake became University of Houston-Clear Lake’s fifth president in August 2017 following an extensive nationwide search.

Blake joined UH-Clear Lake after serving as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs since 2009 at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, one of 14 regional institutions in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. She established a strong reputation as a leader through her many accomplishments. 

Direct report offices include:

Academic Affairs and Provost

Dr. Steven J. Berberich became the new senior vice president for Academic Affairs and provost in July 2018. He previously served as the associate provost for faculty and staff affairs, and professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, for five years.

Dr. Berberich now presides over key functions at UHCL, including providing leadership for the deans of all four colleges. 

Direct report offices include:

Administration and Finance

In 2018, Mark Denney became the vice president for Administration and Finance. Prior to joining the team, he served in various leadership roles, including his time as the chief business officer at Salida Union in northern California. He also served 13 years on active duty and 12 years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 2005.

His primary responsibilities include organization of all matters financial and operational for the campus.

Direct report offices include:

Student Affairs

Dr. Aaron J. Hart joined the UHCL leadership team as the vice president for Student Affairs in July 2019. Previously, he served as the associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he assisted in the strategic planning process for the Division of Student Affairs.

In his new role, Dr. Hart oversees offices that help students get better acquainted with the university, get involved, and meet their career and health needs.

Direct report offices include:

Strategic Enrollment Management

Dr. Lee Young became the vice president of Strategic Enrollment Management in February 2021, bringing 20 years of experience in higher education. He previously served as the associate vice president for Urban and Academic Initiatives at Texas A&M-Commerce. 

Dr. Young is dedicated to a culture that fosters student success, emotional support, diversity and inclusion, personal growth, and risk taking. Under his leadership, campus-wide enrollment, admissions, and credit-hour reports were added to UHCL.

Direct report offices include:

  • Recruitment and Admissions Executive Director
  • Financial Aid Executive Director
  • Academic Records Registrar
  • Integrated Enrollment Services Director
  • Financial Lead Student Admin Systems
  • Functional Analyst II
  • Enrollment Communications Associate Director
  • Student Enrollment Services Director
University Advancement

Mr. Staley became UHCL's University Advancement vice president in July 2019, after previously serving as the vice chancellor for Resource Development at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. He has spent nearly his entire career in fundraising for higher education.

In his new position, he works toward bringing bench strength and leadership to his team while helping to make UHCL a philanthropic priority. 

Direct report offices include:

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