Kathryn Cavender is a Temporary Projects Coordinator within the Division of Operations, Finance, and Support. She most recently served as the Associate Vice President of Campus Safety.

Kathryn joined Rice in 1991 as the founding director of the Environmental Health and Safety department, launching a program that grew from a small team of three to a robust unit of ten professionals. In 2023, Kathryn was instrumental in creating the Campus Safety unit, a strategic reorganization that unified the Environmental Health and Safety department, the Rice University Police Department, and Emergency Management. Today, this comprehensive unit comprises 80 employees and plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and well-being of our campus community. 

An industrial engineer by trade and a licensed Certified Safety Professional, Kathryn brought more than four decades of expertise in safety and risk management to her role at Rice. Her work has extended far beyond the university, as she has contributed to local, regional, and national efforts to enhance environmental health and campus safety standards.