Bob McPherson

Bob McPherson is a Professor of Counseling Psychology in the College of Education at the University of Houston and an Associated Faculty member at the Hobby School of Public Affairs. He currently serves as Special Assistant to the UH System Chancellor and President Renu Khator, co-leading university-wide task forces on mental health and suicide prevention. He previously held high-level leadership roles including Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the UH System and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost for UH (2022–2023), and served as Dean of the College of Education from 2011 to 2022.

His educational background includes a B.S. from Texas Tech University, an M.A. from The University of Texas Permian Basin, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Houston in 1987.

McPherson's research and professional interests center on counseling psychology, mental health in academic settings, teacher education reform, and academic leadership. His work emphasizes student well-being, equity in education, and the integration of psychological services in higher education. He has been instrumental in launching new Ph.D. programs and increasing research funding within the College of Education.

His recent focus has been on systemic approaches to mental health promotion and suicide prevention across the UH community, reflecting his dual expertise in psychology and institutional leadership.

• Fellow of the American Educational Research Association
• Fellow of the American Psychological Association
• Member of the National Academies of Practice
• 2018 Robert B. Howsam Award (Texas Association of Colleges for Teacher Education)
• 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award (Texas Psychological Association)
• Recipient of APA’s Karl F. Heiser Award for Advocacy

McPherson has advised graduate students and led the Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology. He has held numerous administrative roles, including Interim Associate Provost for UH campuses at Sugar Land and Katy, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Dean of Students, Coordinator of Learning Support Services, and Staff Psychologist at Counseling and Psychological Services. He also held the Elizabeth D. Rockwell Chair during his deanship. While currently not listed as leading a formal research lab, his leadership in task forces on mental health indicates ongoing engagement with interdisciplinary teams focused on student wellness and institutional policy.