Provost Amy Dittmar made the following announcement April 21:
Dear Rice community,
I am pleased to share that Justin Schilke has been appointed Rice’s next University Registrar, following David Tenney’s retirement this spring after many years of dedicated service to the university. David has been an exceptional leader and steward of the Office of the Registrar, and we are deeply grateful for his contributions to Rice.
Justin will serve as registrar-elect until David retires June 30. During that time, Justin, along with university administrators, will launch a search for his replacement as deputy registrar and work closely with David during the transition to his permanent role as registrar, which begins July 1.
Justin brings a data-driven approach, deep institutional knowledge and a strong commitment to Rice’s mission to this role. A longtime member of our community, Justin has served in the Office of the Registrar for more than a decade, most recently as deputy registrar. In that role, he has provided strategic leadership across the office’s core functions — from academic policy and curriculum management to student records, compliance and data governance in a technology driven environment — while also mentoring staff and serving as a trusted adviser to campus partners.
Throughout his time at Rice, Justin has demonstrated an ability to lead complex initiatives, strengthen processes and align operations with institutional priorities. He has been instrumental in advancing key systems and reporting capabilities, enhancing the student experience, and ensuring the integrity and accessibility of our academic records.
Just as importantly, Justin is known for his collaborative leadership style, his thoughtful approach to problem-solving, and his dedication to supporting both students and colleagues. Having worked closely with David for many years, he is exceptionally well prepared to build on the strong foundation already in place and to guide the Office of the Registrar into its next chapter.
Please join me in congratulating Justin on this well-deserved appointment and in thanking David for his outstanding work for Rice.
Sincerely,
Amy Dittmar
Howard R. Hughes Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs