'Outstanding choice': Rice University promotes provost DesRoches to presidency

Reginald DesRoches, the present provost of Rice University, has been selected to be the next president of the university as per the announcement made on Nov. 11.

"Reginald DesRoches has been named the next president of Rice University. He is currently serving as the university's provost and will step into his new role July 1, 2022," Rice University tweeted.

A six-month-long nationwide search was done for the next president.

"I am deeply honored to be named the next president of Rice University. The past four and a half years at Rice have been among the most rewarding in my professional career and I look forward to building on the tradition of excellence established by President Leebron and those who served before him," DesRoches said.

The former president, David Leebron, had made his announcement of stepping down from the post back in the month of May. After Leebron, DesRoches is going to be the eighth president of the educational institution.

"Reggie DesRoches is an outstanding choice as Rice's next president," Leebron said. "I have had the privilege of working closely with Reggie over the last four and a half years, first in his capacity of dean of engineering and then as provost, and observed firsthand his extraordinary leadership, values, thoughtfulness and ambition for Rice. I am confident he will fully achieve the aspirations of our' Be Bold' campaign, and take Rice to new heights of achievement and impact."

Leebron intends to vacate the office next summer after the current school year.

An internationally recognized structural engineer and earthquake resilience expert by profession, DesRoches has been Rice University's chief academic officer since last year.

Born in Haiti, DesRoches immigrated to New York City in his younger years. He holds master's and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California, Berkeley.