Dr. Abel Antonio Chávez joined Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) as its 10th president in July 2022. After only eight months at OLLU, he has led efforts to secure more than $22 million in donations and grants and raised the profile of the university through more than 300 visits with local, state and national leaders.

A first-generation, first in family, son of immigrants, and bilingual administrator and academic, Dr. Chávez is an integrative leader and learner. He has served in multiple roles in and beyond higher education, allowing him holistic institutional oversight and understanding of the university operation. He has a track record of, and is committed to, conceiving, building, enhancing, and positioning programs in relevant fields, that enhance quality, access, affordability, and completion, while serving the needs of students, families, economies, and campus.

A global leader in community-based energy, material, and greenhouse gas emissions accounting, he has served as lead author on multiple global assessments, has several peer-reviewed works, and has partnered with various local governments and institutions of higher education across the world. His global trajectory includes stops in Asia (India, China, Philippines, Kazakhstan), Europe (Germany, Spain), and Mexico.