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Education

A biomedical engineer by training, the chancellor earned his bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, and a doctorate from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.

Career

The chancellor began his career as an executive in the automotive industry before transitioning to higher education, where he has made a distinguished career as a researcher, educator and university leader. In addition to bringing his leadership skills to º£½ÇÂÛ̳, the chancellor held a series of academic and administrative leadership roles at the University of Texas at San Antonio, including interim provost, vice president for research and dean of engineering.

An inventor with more than 30 patents, the chancellor is an entrepreneur who helped launch three biomedical startups. His research in orthopedic and cardiovascular biomaterials and implants has led to more than 300 publications and two books, including a widely used textbook on biomaterials. His innovations have been licensed to multiple biomedical companies, reflecting his lifelong focus on real-world impact and innovation.

º£½ÇÂÛ̳ milestones

Starting in 2018, Chancellor Agrawal has led º£½ÇÂÛ̳ through a period of significant transformation. During his time here, º£½ÇÂÛ̳ attained the prestigious Carnegie Research 1 status, launched major capital projects, such as the Healthcare Delivery and Innovation Building, and expanded student support services.

He has championed nationally recognized programs such as First Gen Roos and the Men of Character Academy, helping build a university culture grounded in excellence, equity and opportunity.

Philosophy of empowerment

The chancellor believes effective leadership starts with empowering others. "I don’t do any of this alone," he says. "My job is to assemble the right people and give them the freedom and support to lead well.”

His approach is informed by both his engineering mindset and his belief in continuous improvement. “I take a systems approach and try to see the bigger picture — how people, structures and ideas connect and interact,” he says. “When you understand how the components fit together, you can chart a better path toward the goal.”

His guiding principle is simple: what we do today, we should do better tomorrow. That mindset — paired with a clear vision and a team of dedicated people — is how to build excellence that lasts. Not just dreams of perfection, but continuous progress. Not complacency, but momentum.

Lifelong curiosity

Born and raised in India, the chancellor has long been driven by curiosity – about science, space exploration and the human experience. He’s a lifelong reader with a special fondness for The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, a book he returns to for perspective and reflection. Outside of work, he finds calm in painting, poetry and spending time outdoors.

His wife, Sue Agrawal, is an engineer who is an energetic and engaged partner and a familiar presence at º£½ÇÂÛ̳ and community events. Together, they are the proud parents of two adult children — who followed their parents example and also became engineers.

A Legacy of Distinguished Leadership

Previous chancellors and presidents of the university:

• 2008-17: Leo Morton
• 2006-08: Guy Bailey
• 2000-05: Martha Gilliland
• 1992-99: Eleanor Schwartz
• 1977-92: George A. Russell
• 1968-76: James C. Olson
• 1965-67: Randall M. Whaley
• 1961-65: Charleton F. Scofield
• 1956-61: Richard M. Drake
• 1953-56: Earl J. McGrath
• 1938-53: Clarence Decker
• 1936-38: John Duncan Spaeth
• 1933-36: E.H. Newcomb