University of Houston-Clear Lake to begin search for new president

A national search for a new president of University of Houston-Clear Lake will begin this month after the departure of Ira Blake in October, according to an Oct. 11 media release.

Blake accepted an invitation to serve as special assistant to University of Houston System Chancellor Renu Khator, per the release. In this role, she will develop student success initiatives across the University of Houston System’s four institutions.

She left UHCL on Oct. 8 after four years of helping the college grow its student body; UHCL data shows more than 9,100 students were enrolled in fall 2019, which according to the release is a new record. Richard Walker, vice chancellor and vice president for student affairs and enrollment services at UH System and UH, has served as interim president since Oct. 9.

Blake also helped expand UHCL's footprint with the opening of four new buildings and led the university's strategic plan, Impact 2025 and Beyond, per the release. The plan focuses on opening doors to accessible education and was launched in spring 2020.

“This is not a decision she had made lightly,” Khator said of Blake in the release. “Since being named UHCL’s fifth president in 2017, she has forged many lasting relationships on campus and off while leading the university to gains in enrollment, increased diversity and inclusion and expanded civic and corporate partnerships.”

Walker has nearly four decades of experience in higher education at public and private institutions as both an administrator and educator, per the release.

"I am confident he will provide a steady hand at UHCL and continue the growth and progress the university has been enjoying," Khator said in the release. “I want to offer my deep appreciation to President Blake for the energy and dedication she brought to UHCL, and I look forward to working with her as she undertakes this new assignment."