List of presidents of the University of Houston

The office of the President of the University of Houston, currently held by Renu Khator, was created with the founding of the University of Houston (then known as Houston Junior College) in 1927 as the chief executive officer of the school. From 1927 until 1945 when UH separated from Houston Independent School District, the university's president also held the position of superintendent of schools of that school district. In 1956, the duties of president were divided into two positions. The position of chancellor was created to fulfill past presidential duties regarding external affairs, while the president remained responsible for internal affairs of the university. This leadership structure lasted until 1961, when the university became a state-run, public institution. The duties of the chancellor and president became re-consolidated back into the sole position of president.

Since 1997, the president of the University of Houston has also held the position of chancellor of the University of Houston System, thus making it a dual-office. Note: The defunct chancellor of the University of Houston position should not be confused with the current position of chancellor of the University of Houston System. While one position refers to a leader of the single flagship institution of the University of Houston System, the latter refers to the leader of the entire University of Houston System consisting of several other universities besides the flagship institution.

The following persons have served as president of the University of Houston:

No. Image Name Term start Term end Ref.
1 Edison E. Oberholtzer 1927 1950
interim Walter William Kemmerer 1950 1950
2 1950 1953
interim Charles Flemming McElhinney 1953 1954
3 A.D. Bruce 1954 1956
4 Clanton Ware Williams 1956 1961
5 Philip Guthrie Hoffman 1961 1977
6 Barry Munitz 1977 1982
interim Hugh Walker 1982 1983
7 Richard L. Van Horn 1983 July 12, 1989
interim George W. Magner July 12, 1989 August 31, 1990
8 Marguerite Ross Barnett September 1, 1990 February 26, 1992
acting James H. Pickering January 28, 1992 April 22, 1992
interim April 22, 1992 April 19, 1993
9 April 19, 1993 July 31, 1995
10 Glenn Allan Goerke August 1, 1995 March 31, 1997
11 Arthur K. Smith April 1, 1997 August 31, 2003
12 Jay Gogue September 1, 2003 May 31, 2007
interim John M. Rudley June 1, 2007 January 14, 2008
13 Renu Khator January 15, 2008 present

Table notes: