History

The Claremont Colleges were formally established in 1925 under the direction of James Blaisdell, then President of Pomona College. In their constitution was a commitment to “found and develop new colleges and educational institutions or programs” as needs were identified and resources were made available.

Hank RiggsSeventy-two years later, Henry E. Riggs, then President of Harvey Mudd College, identified the need that would lead to the founding of KGI, the seventh and newest member of The Claremont Colleges. The need was simple: we need scientists and engineers who can help translate basic scientific discoveries into practical applications that will improve people’s health.

In 1997, through a generous $50 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation, Keck Graduate Institute was born. Riggs became KGI’s founding President and led the institution through its first seven years.

Sheldon SchusterFollowing in Riggs’ footsteps, in July 2003, Sheldon Schuster, Ph.D., became KGI’s second president. Schuster, a biochemist with degrees from UC Davis and Arizona State University, joined KGI after serving as a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, interim assistant vice president for research and graduate education, and director of the Biotechnology Program at the University of Florida, Gainsville.

KGI President AbousalemIn July 2024, Mohamed Abousalem, Ph.D, became KGI’s third president after serving as the Vice President for Research and Innovation at San José State University. Prior to SJSU, Abousalem served as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Industry Alliances and Technology Commercialization at the University of California, Santa Cruz and as an executive for organizations in Silicon Valley and Canada.

KGI represents The Claremont Colleges’ first entry into graduate-level, application-based scientific research and education. It remains the only graduate institute in the country with this sole focus.