Interim Spotlight: Vic Morgan, PH.D.

Interim President of the University of Houston Victoria

Could you tell us what your assignment is and where you are serving?

I am currently serving as President (Interim President) of the University Of Houston-Victoria (UHV). With the permission of the System’s Office and myself I have actually been extended a number of times. I have been in this role since April 2014, and will be here through August of this year. The second time they extended the contract the ‘Interim” was dropped from my title to provide more permanence for purposes of my work at UHV. 

Did the campus respond to your leadership differently after you were extended?

Perhaps some did when it became apparent that they could not wait for a more permanent president, and consequently would be evaluated on their performance now. Most of the campus and community were accepting of the changes and the relationship as it was developing was positive.

What would identify as the most personally rewarding aspect of this interim presidency?

It was the bringing together of the campus, the community, and the System. As can be the case within large state systems, those smaller campuses that are not the flagship can feel neglected at times. There was a sense on this campus when I arrived that we were not receiving our fair share of attention and resources from the System.

Another rewarding aspect of this assignment was building relationships with the community college whose immediate proximity and presence we share. A new president arrived two years ago, and we have worked hard to bring the two institutions into a cooperative relationship for the benefit of both campuses.

What experiences developed earlier in your career have you been able to leverage in this role to be successful?

For twenty years I served as the President of Sul Ross State University, a small rural university with three off campus centers and a limited number of administrators. In addition to that, I have also served as a Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Science and taught for several years at this same institution, which has given me exposure to nearly all areas of academia and administration.

I attended small private institutions, a large public institution, and taught at a private institution before going to Sul Ross. In most of these positions I wore many hats, and handled many responsibilities that administrators in larger institutions have only seen at a distance.

What is the “hidden gem” of Victoria, Texas that you think other Registry members should know about?

Victoria is one of the oldest cities in Texas and has many beautiful old homes and buildings. There are many older families that reside in the city and area and they bring a rich history and tradition to the city. It is in an area called the Crossroads and is just 2 hours from Houston, Austin, and San Antonio; an hour and a half from Corpus Christi; and one hour from the Gulf of Mexico coast.

For a small city (about 65,000) it has a symphony, a classical music festival, regular theater performances, ballet, and a variety of other cultural events. People are great and welcoming and no place in the city is more than 15 minutes from any other place. The leadership in the city, county, and area has a keen sense of the importance of having a comprehensive university for both the quality of life and economic impact it brings. The quality of the cultural events is outstanding for a city this size.