Rai Kathuria

Led the implementation of the 'Elevate '28' strategic plan, establishing 5 new colleges and reorganizing the Student Success division to enhance retention and graduation outcomes.

Secured $2.9 million in new grants and contracts, increasing the institutional portfolio by 28.5% and expanding faculty access to external funding.

Oversaw the creation and advancement of 14 new academic programs aligned with high-demand labor market needs, including B.S. in Information Technology and a 2+2 Nursing Program.

Launched campus-wide Artificial Intelligence (AI) Toolkit and AI Bootcamp initiatives, and led the integration of AI into the Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) process, enabling undergraduates to earn an average of 19 prior learning credit hours.

Increased experiential learning opportunities for over 425 students and hosted 9 job fairs with 215 employers, fostering robust community and industry partnerships.

Recruited 24 tenure-track faculty, 5 inaugural deans, and 2 Assistant Vice Presidents/Associate Provosts, strengthening academic leadership and institutional capacity.

Strengthened strategic resource utilization across 10 key departments including Academic Affairs, Digital Learning, and Enrollment Management, optimizing operations for 65,000+ students.

Spearheaded the creation of a system-wide Transfer Council and launched the CSCU System Transfer Engagement Plan (STEP), streamlining vertical transfer processes for students.

Secured over $50 million in institutional grants, including a $35 million CT Health Horizon ARPA Grant and an $8 million US Department of Labor grant, to expand workforce development and academic initiatives.

Developed and implemented a system-wide Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) policy and framework for online education innovation, attracting adult learners.

Led the creation of the CSCU Student Support Services portal, centralizing 49 support services for system-wide student access and success.

Managed the Board of Regents Academic and Student Affairs committee, overseeing approval of new academic programs and launching the Connecticut Automatic Admission Process (CAAP) for top 30% of high school students.

Managed a $10.6 million budget for online education, overseeing growth to 225+ online programs and an enrollment of over 8,350 students by Fall 2022, marking a 12% increase since 2020.

Developed over 50 new undergraduate and graduate online and hybrid programs, including B.S. in Data Science and M.A.T. in Biology, expanding offerings for adult and continuing learners.

Served as IU's liaison to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE), ensuring compliance and securing program approvals.

Secured over $30 million in grants as PI/Co-PI, including a $25.8 million US Department of Education grant and a $450K National Science Foundation grant, supporting scientific research and education.

Established a scalable, system-wide assessment and program review process, enhancing academic quality and accountability across all campuses.

Initiated and organized a Board of Advisors for the School of Natural Science and Mathematics, recruiting prominent members to review new projects and internship opportunities.

Developed and launched new on-campus B.S. programs in Biochemistry and Human Life Science, and a new minor in Neuroscience, expanding academic offerings and student pathways.

Mentored over 54 students since Fall 2008, with 39 successfully progressing to graduate schools, demonstrating a strong commitment to student excellence.

Managed the School budget and directed the procurement of lab equipment, including high-end instruments, while developing and maintaining new lab facilities.

Led school-wide academic program assessments and accreditation preparations, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement across all undergraduate degree programs.

Developed and taught online courses, including a two-semester sequence in Hormones and Human Health I and II, which significantly increased school revenue upon its initial offering.

Advised tenure-track faculty in NSM, assisting them in developing teaching, research, and service commitments, and preparing their dossiers for promotion and tenure.

Performed advanced biochemical research, contributing to scientific understanding and potential publications.

Designed and executed experiments, analyzing complex data to advance research objectives within the department.

Conducted specialized research in cancer biology, advancing knowledge in the field through experimental design and data analysis.

Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to contribute to ongoing research projects in a high-intensity academic environment.

Provided mentorship and guidance to high school and college students through a community mental health coalition in Wayne County, IN.

Supported educational activities at Charles Elementary and Hibberd Intermediate School for 4 hours/week, contributing to student development.

Received a nomination for the Service Award from Richmond Community Schools, recognizing dedicated community contributions.

Contributed to animal welfare by volunteering approximately 2 hours every Saturday at a local animal shelter for five years.