Reginald DesRoches, a historic figure, has been named as the eighth president of Rice University, making him the first Black and foreign-born president of the prestigious institution. Born in Haiti and raised in New York, DesRoches has a remarkable background in engineering and earthquake resilience.
DesRoches’ career path was influenced by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in San Francisco, leading him to become a nationally recognized expert in earthquake resilience. His work in response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake earned him numerous awards and accolades in the field.
Prior to his presidency at Rice, DesRoches oversaw significant growth and development at Georgia Tech, where he served as the chair of the civil and environmental engineering school. At Rice, he expanded the engineering school and led efforts to strengthen collaborations and initiatives.
As president, DesRoches aims to continue the expansion of the undergraduate student body and faculty at Rice. He has also prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on campus, despite challenges in the national and state political environment.
DesRoches’ leadership has been instrumental in addressing Rice’s racial history and navigating social movements on campus. Additionally, he is known for his commitment to health awareness, having raised awareness for prostate cancer screenings in 2022.
DesRoches’ personal life includes his marriage to Paula DesRoches, a nurse practitioner, and their three children. His dedication to education, engineering, and diversity make him a significant figure in the academic world and at Rice University.