A new era began July 1 at South Texas College of Law Houston as Reynaldo “Rey” Anaya Valencia officially became the 101-year-old law school’s 13th president and dean.
Valencia, the first Hispanic and person of color to lead the law school, was selected earlier this year after a nationwide search. He succeeds Jeff Rensberger, who served as interim dean after the departure of Michael F. Barry last year.
“I am absolutely overwhelmed by the warm welcome and generosity of everyone at South Texas College of Law Houston,” Valencia said in a statement issued by the law school on Monday.
“Students, staff, administrators and faculty have truly rolled out the red carpet and embraced me in my new role. I am honored and humbled to join this institution with its rich history and look forward to continuing the legacy of service and education of those who came before us.”
Valencia will be honored at a formal investiture ceremony on Oct. 10 at the law school.
Prior to his appointment at South Texas College of Law Houston, Valencia served as dean of Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio.
His other previous roles in academia include associate dean for finance and administration at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law and tenured professor at St. Mary’s University School of Law.
Valencia, the first person in his family to attend college, received his law degree from Harvard University and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University.
He began his legal career at Jones Day in Dallas where his practice focused on bankruptcy and corporate law. While in private practice, Valencia taught as an adjunct professor at Texas Tech University School of Law, where at age 25 he became the youngest faculty member in the law school’s history.
Valencia also served as a White House Fellow in the Office of the Chief of Staff from 1999 to 2000, where he worked on race, civil rights, immigration and Hispanic education.