President C. Shane Reese has appointed Richard Houseman as international vice president at Brigham Young University. Houseman will replace Renata Forste, who will be retiring after 31 years of service to the university.Houseman’s appointment is effective immediately.
Photo by Abby Shelton/BYU
"Richard's career has taken him from the classroom and laboratory to Church service and university leadership around the world," Reese stated. "That breadth of experience, coupled with his love for BYU and its mission, will be a tremendous asset as our international vice president.""BYU has been richly blessed by Renata's leadership and service," Reese said. "For more than three decades, she has devoted her talents to our students and to the mission of this university. Her contributions as a professor, scholar and leader have strengthened BYU in lasting ways, and I am profoundly grateful for all she has given."Houseman most recently worked as the dean of Continuing Education at BYU, a role he has held since August 2023. As International Vice President, he will oversee Continuing Education, Performing Arts Management and the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies.Prior to being dean, he was the manager of In-Field Services in the Missionary Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He oversaw day-to-day support for mission leaders and missionaries in more than 400 missions and 10 missionary training centers worldwide.From 2000–2017 Houseman was a professor of entomology and the Entomology Program leader at the University of Missouri. He was also a postdoctoral researcher at Texas A&M University. He has conducted international research in Central America, Africa, and Asia.He earned a Ph.D. in entomology from Texas A&M University, a master’s degree in zoology from BYU and a bachelor’s degree in biology and secondary education, also from BYU.Houseman also served as president of the Brazil Recife Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2017–2020.He and his wife Lori have six children and soon-to-be nine grandchildren.
Media Contact: Aaron Sorenson
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