MAGESH T. RAJAN
Vice President for Research & Innovation
Prairie View A&M University | Texas A&M University System
Houston, Texas
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Senior university executive leading research, innovation, and economic development at Prairie View A&M University, a Carnegie R2 doctoral institution within the Texas A&M University System. Oversees enterprise-wide strategy advancing discovery, strengthening partnerships, and aligning student success with workforce and economic outcomes.
Experience includes cabinet-level leadership, board engagement, federal and state relations, fundraising, and institutional strategy. Known for building systems that increase research capacity, align resources with institutional priorities, and position institutions for sustained growth and national competitiveness.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Prairie View A&M University (Texas A&M University System)
Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Development | 2019–Present Serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet with responsibility for leading the university’s research, innovation, and economic development enterprise.
Scope of Leadership
Oversee research advancement, sponsored programs, compliance, undergraduate research, commercialization, and strategic partnerships
Lead federal and state relations, legislative strategy, and external engagement
Provide strategic counsel and reporting to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents
Advance cross-divisional alignment across academic affairs, student success, and external partners
Institutional Growth and Impact
Advanced Prairie View A&M University to Carnegie R2 status ahead of schedule with successful reaffirmation
Expanded external funding to $250M+, including $175M in research funding; secured $50M+ in federal funding and increased state appropriations by 9.7% annually
Increased proposal activity from $100M to $230M annually and oversaw $70M+ in research and academic infrastructure investments
Established the first HBCU-led $40M National Transportation Center and expanded innovation portfolio to 45 intellectual properties and 20 startup agreements
Partnerships, Economic Development, and Innovation
Raised $10M+ in corporate and philanthropic support through partnerships with Shell, Apple, Intel, Ford, and Accenture
Contributed to $766M in regional economic impact and 5,300 jobs through strategic partnerships
Built collaborations with federal laboratories, industry leaders, and peer institutions; advanced commercialization and entrepreneurship initiatives
Student Success and Workforce Alignment
Launched the Student RISE program ($3M), increasing participation from 30 to ~120 students annually
Expanded undergraduate research and experiential learning impacting 600+ students
Strengthened alignment between academic programs and workforce needs
Governance and State Leadership
Appointed by the Texas Governor to the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium
Lead initiatives aligned with CHIPS Act priorities and national workforce development strategies
Established shared governance structures in partnership with faculty and staff
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Department Head (Dean-Level Responsibilities), Endowed Chair, Professor | 2017–2019
Led strategy, budget, enrollment, faculty development, and accreditation across a 100- year-old department
Increased graduate enrollment by 50% and improved retention through student success initiatives
Achieved 98% job placement rates through strengthened industry alignment and career pipelines
Raised $2.3M in development funding and expanded partnerships with industry and alumni
Secured new academic programs, including a PhD in Electrical Engineering
Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
Executive Director, Plasma Engineering | Associate Professor | 2009–2017
Increased enrollment from 75 to 400 students (433% growth)
Secured $4M+ in research funding across 20+ projects
Built partnerships with industry, government, and K–12 systems
Led strategic planning and program development
ENTREPRENEURIAL AND INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
Founder & CEO, Glasram Technologies Inc. — SBIR/STTR funding; ISS technology deployment
Co-Founder, Plasma Devices LLC — commercialization of plasma technologies
Lead Engineer, General Electric — advanced energy and defense projects
EDUCATION
PhD, Electrical Engineering — University of Wisconsin–Madison
MS, Electrical Engineering — University of Tennessee
MBA, Strategic Management — Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
BE (Honors), Electrical Engineering — University of Madras
EXECUTIVE AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
AASCU Millennium Leadership Initiative; Texas Governor’s Executive Leadership Development Program; Harvard Institute for Educational Management; AGB Institute for Leadership and Governance; Harvard leadership and finance programs
BOARD, GOVERNANCE, AND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Executive Board Member, APLU; Board Member, NASA Texas Space Grant Consortium; Appointed Member, Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium; Advisory roles across national initiatives
CREDENTIALS AND PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Licensed Professional Engineer (Texas); ABET Program Evaluator; Six Sigma Green Belt; Senior Member, IEEE
SCHOLARSHIP (SELECTED)
100+ peer-reviewed publications; $85M+ in competitive external funding