As Houston and Texas move toward a pivotal 2026 election cycle, education leadership across the region is being tested not just by policy shifts but by public trust and institutional survival. From state takeovers and funding scrutiny to national fights over academic freedom and equity, the decisions made by education leaders in the next year will shape classrooms and communities beyond the school and university doors.
The following leaders sit at the center of that reckoning. Whether steering universities through heightened state oversight, advocating for Black educators amid systemic upheaval, or governing the state-controlled Houston ISD, each will be closely watched in 2026.
James Walter Crawford III: President of Texas Southern University (TSU)
James Walter Crawford III became president of Texas Southern University in June 2024, taking the helm of one of Texas’ most prominent HBCUs after a period of leadership turnover. A retired U.S. Navy vice admiral and a former university president, Crawford has emphasized student achievement, achieving increases in four-year graduation rates and introducing new initiatives, including the Tiger Promise tuition guarantee, internship pipelines, and co-curricular job simulations through the T-CLAW platform. His presidency coincides with heightened scrutiny of public university funding and governance across the state. In November, state officials ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate TSU after a state audit revealed evidence of financial mismanagement and delays in submitting financial reports. In 2026, Crawford’s leadership will be closely watched as TSU continues to navigate state funding dynamics and its role as an economic anchor in Houston’s Third Ward. How effectively he strengthens institutional credibility and fundraising capacity will shape TSU’s trajectory well beyond his early tenure.
Dr. Brenda Dearmon: President of Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators (HAABSE)
Dr. Brenda Dearmon leads the Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators (HAABSE), a key regional organization advocating for Black educators and educational equity. HAABSE plays a visible role in scholarship support and professional development across the Houston area. Dearmon’s leadership comes at a moment of significant changes in public education, particularly in Houston ISD, amid the ongoing state takeover under the Texas Education Agency. As teacher retention and school climate remain central concerns, organizations like HAABSE can advocate for students and support gaps left by policy shifts. In 2026, Dearmon’s influence will be measured by how effectively HAABSE sustains community-based leadership.
Dr. Melanye Price: Endowed Professor and Director of Ruth J. Simmons Center for Race and Justice at Prairie View A&M University
Dr. Melanye Price is an endowed professor of political science at Prairie View A&M University and the inaugural director of the Ruth J. Simmons Center for Race and Justice, which investigates race and justice through oral histories and public scholarship. A PVAMU alumna, Price leads research that focuses on race and democracy. The center was established to advance scholarship and dialogue at a time when curricula related to race and academic freedom are increasingly contested. In 2026, Price’s work will be especially relevant as universities face increasing pressure from political stakeholders over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Her leadership places PVAMU at the center of national conversations about the future of Black studies.
Angela Lemond Flowers: Member and Vice-President of the Houston ISD Board of Managers (TEA-appointed)
Angela Lemond Flowers serves on the TEA-appointed Board of Managers governing Houston ISD during the state takeover, which is scheduled to continue through at least 2027. A longtime educator with over two decades of experience in classroom and nonprofit settings, Flowers holds decision-making authority over district policy, superintendent oversight, the HISD budget, and campus interventions affecting roughly 180,000 students. In 2026, her role will remain critical as HISD approaches a pivotal period of assessing academic outcomes under state control and determining benchmarks for a potential return to local governance.
Reginald DesRoches: President of Rice University
Reginald DesRoches has served as president of Rice University since July 2022, leading one of Texas’ most influential private research institutions. A civil engineer and former provost, DesRoches is the CEO of the university and its 8,600 students, eight schools, and more than 900 faculty members. DesRoches aims to turn Rice’s top-rated undergraduate programs into graduate programs, while maintaining its “commitment” to DEI, per his profile on the university website. Under DesRoches’ leadership, new courses, such as the undergraduate business major, were launched. Rice’s decisions increasingly shape regional conversations around talent pipelines and university-community partnerships. In 2026, DesRoches will be watched for how the university positions itself amid shifting federal research priorities, debates over access and affordability, and his leadership choices that will signal how private institutions balance equity and civic responsibility in a changing higher-education landscape.
