Can’t Stop Houston.
Can’t Stop Us.
University of Houston President Renu Khator Delivers 16th State of the University Address
Can’t Stop Houston.
Can’t Stop Us.
University of Houston President Renu Khator Delivers 16th State of the University Address
University of Houston President Renu Khator held her 16th annual State of the University address on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024 inside Moores Opera House.
University of Houston President Renu Khator held her 16th annual State of the University address on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024 inside Moores Opera House.
UH has steadily improved its student success metrics over the past decade.
UH has steadily improved its student success metrics over the past decade.
Highlighting a surge of success, University of Houston President Renu Khator held her 16th annual State of the University address on Wednesday, Oct. 9, inside Moores Opera House.
“Each year, I see so many wonderful achievements by our faculty, staff and students. It is important to take time, appreciate and even celebrate those achievements. It is this sense of collective excellence that recreates the energy we need for our future endeavors,” said Khator.
As the third largest public university in the state of Texas, UH has marked a record-breaking year in enrollment, welcoming nearly 48,000 students to campus, including the largest freshman class in UH history.
“As we look to the future, we know the possibilities are endless.”
“We must build on our momentum and continue the journey of excellence into the next chapter of the University’s story,” said Khator. “Our commitment to transfer students remains strong; however, with the rising reputation of the university and increasing financial aid to freshmen, students seem more inclined to join us straight from high school,” said Khator.
Rankings
The University of Houston reached a milestone in the Forbes top colleges list by ranking No. 46 among public universities, and in Texas, behind only the two permanent university fund institutions.
“The Forbes ranking is relevant because it is based entirely on measures of student success like return-on-investment, average student debt, graduation outcomes, retention rates and students’ salary after graduation,” Khator said. “Indeed, it is a great milestone to cross … we can pat ourselves on the back, but we cannot stop here.”
“It is not enough to think of what we could do — the question is what we must do. Because we are the University of Houston, and being in Houston, we can do things that others can’t,”
President Khator noted the vision is to become a top 50 public university as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. The University of Houston is once again ranked among the nation’s top 75 public universities in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Top Public School rankings, landing at No. 74.
“Despite a slight shift from last year’s rank of No. 70, UH has continued to make significant strides in key student success metrics, which remain central to the University’s mission of improving educational outcomes,” Khator said.
Khator noted that UH’s six-year graduation rate stands at 65%, higher than the national and state averages, and UH’s commitment to students from underserved communities stands strong. The University of Houston grants the largest number of graduate degrees to students from economically disadvantaged communities compared to all other research and emerging research universities in the Texas. Additionally, UH has seen a 56% increase in graduate degrees awarded to minority students in the last 10 years.
UH continues to rank high on the scale of social mobility, measuring 36th in the nation, moving more students up the economic ladder. Social mobility is defined by the U.S. News & World Report as a university’s ability to help students from economically disadvantaged categories to persist and graduate. UH is not only a leader among Texas’ Tier One universities, but it is also No. 1, tied with UCF, among Big 12 conference peers.
Lowering Costs
Khator highlighted the University’s commitment to reducing financial barriers for its students, enabling them to graduate with minimal debt and a brighter financial future. The average student loan for UH students at the time of graduation is the lowest among all of UH’s peers in Texas. Tuition rates have remained unchanged for the past five years, and the Cougar Promise program provides free tuition to students from families earning $65,000 or less annually, with significant discounts available to those with family incomes under $125,000.
UH has also optimized its advising and course offerings, enabling students to complete degrees more efficiently. Since 2011, the average credit hours of graduating students have dropped from 153 credit hours to 134, resulting in savings of approximately $13,000 per graduate. To further reduce student expenses, Khator pointed to the award-winning Cougar Textbook Access Program that allows students to pay a fixed price for all required semester textbooks. This program has collectively saved students $20 million since last fall and recently received the STAR award from the state.
Research & Notable Awards
UH continues to make significant strides in research and innovation, securing over $100 million in recent federal grants. Faculty are pioneering research in critical areas, including cancer detection, sustainable energy and superconductivity.
Notable projects include:
- UH is part of multiple national consortia that together have over a billion dollars in federal funding to advance the energy transition, including a $63 million grant consortium to tackle battery challenges.
- In partnership with Baylor College of Medicine, UH is establishing a Regional Hub for Translational Research, backed by a $44 million NIH grant, advancing UH's translational research capacity and enabling further groundbreaking projects in Houston.
- Research innovations include a 98% accurate blood test for cancer detection and innovative algae research for climate change mitigation, a new heart failure treatment, and advances in superconductivity.
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Khator recognized the University’s major award winners, including Professor Cristina Rivera Garza, winner of a 2024 Pulitzer Prize; alumnus Jericho Brown, who won a 2024 MacArthur Fellowship; Omolola Adepoju, UH clinical associate professor and winner of a Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship; and the five faculty who were awarded Fulbright Scholar Awards.
Facilities
UH has undertaken significant campus improvements, with $100 million dedicated to updating core buildings. Khator showcased new additions to the campus, including the 41,000-square-foot Retail Auxiliary and Dining Center, which offers diverse dining options, and the groundbreaking of a new 75,000-square-foot building for the Cullen College of Engineering at UH at Sugar Land. The highly anticipated Innovation Hub and a new residence hall are among upcoming projects designed to enhance UH’s academic and student life infrastructure.
Khator recognized the six Cougar athletes who competed in the Paris Olympics and celebrated the Men's Basketball team winning the Big 12 Championship. She was optimistic about UH Football, noting it reclaimed the Bayou Bucket and is showing promise under new head coach Willie Fritz. She recognized new athletic director Eddie Nuñez and acknowledged the challenges ahead among all collegiate athletics amid shifts in NIL rules, the uncertainty of national judicial impacts from lawsuits and conference realignments.
New $1 Billion Centennial Campaign
Philanthropy continues to play a vital role in UH’s growth. Khator announced a $1 billion centennial campaign and a plan to raise:
- $100 million for student impact scholarships
- 100 new graduate and professional program scholarships, including medical programs
- $100 million for academic and research programs, from the arts and humanities to sciences and engineering
- 100% increase in support for student-athletes
- 100 centennial innovation awards for staff to reward cost-saving, efficiency-focused initiatives
- 100 gifts for campus transformation
“We must build on our momentum and continue the journey of excellence into the next chapter of the University’s story.”
“It is not enough to think of what we could do — the question is what we must do. Because we are the University of Houston, and being in Houston, we can do things that others can’t,” said Khator.
Khator said as UH approaches its centennial in 2027, the university is evolving to meet the future needs of its community. A $40 million campus transformation project, including new gathering spaces and improved pedestrian access, sets the stage for the next 100 years of excellence. UH is planning a year-long celebration that will feature conferences, symposiums and community engagement initiatives, honoring the University’s legacy and future impact on Houston and beyond.
“As we look to the future, we know the possibilities are endless. Together, we will continue the journey of excellence, driving forward with ambition, vision, and an unwavering belief in what UH can achieve. Leaning into the university’s new marketing campaign, she ended her speech with a determined spirit: “Can’t Stop Houston. Can’t stop us.”
Interior view of new 41,000-square-foot Retail Auxiliary and Dining Center located on campus at UH.
Interior view of new 41,000-square-foot Retail Auxiliary and Dining Center located on campus at UH.
Aerial view of new 75,000-square-foot building for the Cullen College of Engineering at UH at Sugar Land.
Aerial view of new 75,000-square-foot building for the Cullen College of Engineering at UH at Sugar Land.
As UH approaches its centennial in 2027, the university is evolving to meet the future needs of its community with a $40 million campus transformation project that will including new gathering spaces and improved pedestrian access.
As UH approaches its centennial in 2027, the university is evolving to meet the future needs of its community with a $40 million campus transformation project that will including new gathering spaces and improved pedestrian access.
Interior view of TDECU Stadium during game against Iowa State on Sept. 28, 2024. Shows new Memorial Hermann Football Operations Center. In recognition of a $10 million gift from Michael and Rebecca Cemo Family Foundation, the west-end scoreboard will be named in the Cemo family’s honor.
Interior view of TDECU Stadium during game against Iowa State on Sept. 28, 2024. Shows new Memorial Hermann Football Operations Center. In recognition of a $10 million gift from Michael and Rebecca Cemo Family Foundation, the west-end scoreboard will be named in the Cemo family’s honor.
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