Dr. Ritu Raju is the president of South Central College in Minnesota, a role she assumed on July 1, 2025. She brings more than two decades of experience in higher education as both an administrator and faculty member, with a strong focus on student success, workforce development, and community partnerships.

Before joining South Central College, Dr. Raju served as president and CEO of Gateway Technical College in Wisconsin from 2023 to 2025, where she led significant enrollment growth and strengthened industry collaborations. She previously held the role of vice president of academic affairs at Tarrant County College in Texas and spent more than a decade at Houston Community College, serving in leadership and teaching positions including dean, division chair, and faculty member.

Dr. Raju holds bachelor’s degrees from Bangalore University in India and the University of Houston–Downtown, a master’s degree from Sam Houston State University, and a doctorate from Texas Tech University. She is also certified in Agile leadership and strategic foresight, credentials that support her ability to guide higher education institutions through rapid change, anticipate future workforce needs, and implement flexible, innovative solutions in a dynamic learning environment. Known for her collaborative leadership style, she is dedicated to fostering inclusive learning environments and aligning academic programs with evolving industry demands.