Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of Houston System
Vice President for Student Affairs, University of Houston
After two years in Phillips Academy in Massachusetts, Elwyn C. Lee entered Yale College, where he graduated magna cum laude. He later graduated from Yale Law School, and practiced law in Washington, D.C., for three years before embarking on a career as a law professor in 1978 at the University of Houston Law Center, where he taught employment law, personal injury law, administrative law, and ethics. Lee also served with distinction as chair of several state and local Bar committees. He became the first African American professor to receive tenure at the UH Law Center in 1984.
In 1989, he became the interim director for the UH African American Studies Program. His leadership for a year and a half is largely credited with resurrecting that program. He was named interim vice president for student affairs in 1991, later assuming the role on a permanent basis. As vice president, he has full program, budget and operating responsibility for the Division of Student Affairs. The division includes the Dean of Students, the University Center, Residential Life and Housing, the UH Health Center, and student services such as University Career Services, University Testing Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, and the Wellness Program. In 1995, after a four-year decline in enrollment, Enrollment Services was transferred to student affairs where, under Lee’s leadership, enrollment has increased steadily. In 1997, the Recreation Department was transferred to student affairs following which Lee spearheaded the successful effort to garner students and legislative approval for a $40 million Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.
In September 1998, Lee assumed a dual appointment of University of Houston System vice chancellor for student affairs and University of Houston vice president for student affairs. As a part of his new responsibilities, Lee leads the UH System Student Affairs Council; serves as chief student affairs officer for the UH System; and is a member of the chancellor’s System Executive Group. Over the years, Lee has served on the Riverside General Hospital Board (president/vice president); the Houston Lawyers Association (president); the Contemporary Arts Museum Board; and the Third Ward Redevelopment Council Board (secretary).
