Dr. Ira K Blake, first female and African American president of University of Houston Clear Lake

 She requested Kannappan to assist in developing a Freshman Shadowing program and in designing Sophomore Experiential Learning opportunities with local engineering firms. She also accepted the invitation to visit the Kannappan Art Museum in Pearland.
Dr. Blake is a first-generation college student in a family of nine children. 

She credits her share cropper father and domestic home maker mother with instilling the confidence in her. 

 She served as provost at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania from 2009. System Chancellor Renu Khator said “UHCL is a university on the rise and Dr. Blake has the necessary vision to build on our success”.