Jay Neal, who served as assistant provost of Academic Affairs and Operations at the University of Houston-Sugar Land since May 2016, has been named associate vice president and chief operating officer for UH-Sugar Land and UH-Katy, effective Jan. 1, 2018.

“It is my great privilege to lead the faculty, students, and staff at UH Sugar Land,” Neal said in a release. “I look forward to continuing the great work of connecting with our Fort Bend County community, business and government leaders that began with Bob McPherson’s great vision and collaborative spirit.”

McPherson was appointed interim associate provost of Academic Affairs and Operations in 2015, while continuing to serve as dean of the UH College of Education. He will return to that post, according to the release.

Neal will be charged with academic and administrative leadership of both UH-Sugar Land and UH-Katy, including outreach to community agencies, government entities, school districts and community colleges.

Previously, Neal taught as an associate professor at the UH-Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management for more than 15 years.

UH-Sugar Land became an institute of the University of Houston in fall 2016. It is home to the UH College of Nursing, as well as programs from the Colleges of Technology, Education, Social Work, and Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

In the past year, enrollment has increased from 1,645 to 2,365 students while the campus has 10 undergraduate and 11 graduate programs. This includes programs unique to UH-Sugar Land.

Additionally, a groundbreaking is expected soon for a new 100,000-square-foot facility, according to the release.

In Katy, the UH System purchased 46 acres of land in 2016 and will break ground on the facility in spring 2018. It will house programs in nursing and engineering, as well as programs from UH-Victoria, according to system officials.