Dr. Kahla will begin the new role on April 1 after serving as the interim VP of Instruction for the last three and a half months. He replaces Dr. Kathy Cecil-Sanchez, who retired in December.
"I am honored and humbled to be promoted to the position of Vice President of Instruction, and I am excited to continue serving our students and faculty in this new capacity," said Dr. Kahla. "I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to advance our mission of providing excellent educational opportunities for all."
As the campus' Chief Academic Officer (CAO), Dr. Kahla will oversee the academic programs, faculty, and student services related to instruction, including curriculum development; faculty recruitment, development, and evaluation; and duties related to the college's continuing assessment, accreditation, and strategic planning processes.
Dr. Kahla brings a wealth of experience to the position. He began his career in education as a high school teacher in Abilene, TX, before moving into the corporate sector and working for companies such as Apple Computers, The Toro Company, and Friendly Robotics. Dr. Kahla’s higher education experience includes teaching developmental math and organizational leadership courses. He has also served in various administrative roles including, Associate Dean, Academic Dean, and Executive Dean, with experience at both Brookhaven College and Aims Community College. Dr. Kahla joined Lone Star College in 2015 as the Dean of Instruction for Business, Engineering, and Computer Technology.
"Dr. Kahla is an invaluable addition to our administrative team," said Dr. Seelpa Keshvala, Executive Vice Chancellor of Lone Star College and LSC-University Park acting President. "He is dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality education to our students. His collaborative approach, experience, and expertise are an asset, and we look forward to the contributions he will continue to bring to our learning community."
Dr. Kahla was selected as a finalist by a seven-member search committee. He holds a B.S. in Secondary Education from Abilene Christian University, an M.B.A. from Auburn University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Capella.
Dr. Kahla is a Houston native. He has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for 33 years, and they are the proud parents of four sons.
Established in 2012, Lone Star College-University Park has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative higher education institutions in the country. The college is devoted to impacting the community's prosperity and upward mobility through student success. LSC-University Park’s competent and compassionate faculty and staff provide students with holistic and immersive education and training in disciplines and industries that meet current and future workforce needs.
Located on the grounds of the former Compaq Computer Corporation and Hewlett Packard's world headquarters, LSC-University Park's facilities include the Center for Science & Innovation, the Energy & Manufacturing Institute, Learning Innovation Labs, and the Geology Rock Wall. It is also home to the University of Houston-NW Downtown, Lone Star Corporate College, iSchool, and YMCA Children's Academy. For information on taking classes at LSC-University Park, visit LoneStar.edu/StartUP, call 281.290.2600 or email UPAdvising@LoneStar.edu. Academic advisers are available to assist students with questions about course selection, degree plans or the registration process.
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2022 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education and recognized by Fortune Magazine and Great Place To Work® as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Texas™. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.