Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman Appointed Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
March 19, 2026
Dear Faculty and Staff:
I am pleased to announce, conditional upon approval of the University of Houston System
Board of Regents, the appointment of Dr. Mohamed Abdelrahman as the University of
Houston-Clear Lake's next Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost,
effective July 1, 2026.
Dr. Abdelrahman currently serves as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University–San Antonio, where he oversees the university's academic colleges, library, research and health sciences, institutional research, institutional effectiveness, and student success and retention initiatives. In this role, he has led efforts to strengthen student success, expand academic programs, and enhance research and academic innovation across the university, managing an academic affairs and research portfolio exceeding $50 million.
During his tenure, Dr. Abdelrahman has supported the launch of multiple new undergraduate and graduate programs, advanced initiatives to improve advising and retention, and helped establish new structures to support graduate education and research development. He has also fostered partnerships with regional school districts, community colleges, and industry partners to expand academic pathways and better align academic programs with workforce needs.
He brings nearly 30 years of experience in higher education as a faculty member, researcher, and senior academic leader. Prior to his current role, Dr. Abdelrahman served as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Colorado State University Pueblo, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Arkansas Tech University, and Associate Vice President for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies at Texas A&M University–Kingsville.
Among his leadership accomplishments, Dr. Abdelrahman has helped secure more than $25 million in federal, state, and private funding to strengthen academic programs and student success initiatives and has led the development of new academic programs and interdisciplinary academic structures designed to enhance collaboration and respond to evolving workforce and regional needs.
Dr. Abdelrahman previously served as a tenured full professor at Tennessee Technological University and was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Qatar. His research focuses on industrial sensing and control systems, engineering education, and experiential learning. He has authored or co-authored more than 100 publications and technical reports and holds three patents.
Dr. Abdelrahman holds a Ph.D. in Nuclear Science and Engineering and a Master of Science in Measurements and Controls Engineering from Idaho State University, as well as a Master of Science in Engineering Physics and Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from Cairo University.
As Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Dr. Abdelrahman will serve as the university's chief academic officer, providing leadership for UHCL's academic programs, faculty affairs, research and scholarly activity, and initiatives that support student success and institutional effectiveness.
I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to the search committee for their thoughtful work and dedication throughout this process. In particular, I would like to thank the committee's co-chairs, Stephen Cotten, Ph.D., Presiding Officer of the Faculty Council and Professor of Economics in the College of Business, and Joe Staley, Vice President for University Advancement.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Abdelrahman to the UHCL community.
Sincerely,
Richard Walker, Ed.D.
President