Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Nursing

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1 Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Nursing Texas A&M University-Texarkana (A&M-Texarkana) seeks an outstanding leader to serve as dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Nursing, an appointment that is to be assumed on July 1, THE UNIVERSITY A&M-Texarkana is a comprehensive regional residential university and provides the citizens of Texarkana, Northeast Texas, Southwest Arkansas, Northwest Louisiana, and Southeast Oklahoma a convenient opportunity to earn four-year, graduate, and doctoral degrees in the areas of business administration, arts and sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, and education. Formerly East Texas State University at Texarkana, the University was established in 1971 by the Texas Legislature as an upper level, operationally separate unit of the East Texas University Complex. In September 1996, the University became a member of The Texas A&M University System and is governed by the A&M Board of Regents. In addition, like other Texas public colleges and universities, A&M-Texarkana operates under the jurisdiction of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $3.5 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, seven state agencies, two service units, and a comprehensive health science center, the A&M System educates more than 131,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. Externally funded research expenditures exceed $783 million and help drive the state s economy.

2 For many years, A&M-Texarkana shared the same campus with Texarkana College, but in 2004 it acquired 375 acres of land as a gift, 300 acres from the City of Texarkana and 75 from the Anita and Truman Arnold Foundation. Funding was also received in 2006 from the Texas Legislature for construction of buildings at the new campus. To date, four buildings have been completed: the Science and Technology Building; University Center; Central Plant; and Bringle Lake Village a state-of-the-art 294-bed, furnished residence hall that features a number of amenities, including a fitness center, an outdoor, in-ground swimming pool, and an outdoor sand volleyball court. A second residence hall as well as dining hall is scheduled to open within the next two years. Private funds are currently being solicited for the Student Engagement Center, a 14,000-square-foot multipurpose center for special events, concerts, and a student recreation area. Over $2 million has been raised toward the $3.5 million goal. The University is also currently raising $1.5 million per year in annual funds and has been the recipient of a $10 million gift for scholarships; another $9.2 million in gifts has provided funds for the engineering and computer science programs. Approximately 1,950 full-time students are currently enrolled. Within the University there are three colleges: the College of Business; College of Education and Liberal Arts; and College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Nursing. There are 64 tenure-track positions, five of which are currently vacant. The entire 59 tenure-track faculty has terminal degrees. In addition, there are nine clinical faculty members. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) and will have a ten-year reaccreditation visit in As a result of a partnership between Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) and A&M-Texarkana, six teacher certification programs and other baccalaureate degrees are currently being offered on the NTCC campus in Mount Pleasant. After receiving core requirements through NTCC, students can then make a seamless transition to A&M-Texarkana to complete the final two years of their coursework. The University also operates another satellite campus in Hallsville, Texas, and utilizes teaching facilities within the Hallsville Independent School District. Intramural sports also occur during the University year and facilitate men, women and co-rec teams as well as individual activities, from flag football to volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, ping

3 pong, and more. In fall 2014, A&M-Texarkana will also have intercollegiate women s soccer and men s and women s tennis. There are more than 30 recognized student groups, broken down into six different categories: Departmental organizations related to a particular academic area or field of study; Greek Fraternities and Sororities; National Honorary Societies; Faith-Based organizations; Special Interest organizations; and Student Life organizations. For additional information about the University, visit For the Strategic Plan FY2011-FY2015, click the following link: THE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS, AND NURSING (STEM) The College of STEM fully subscribes to the core values of the University the centrality of students; excellence and innovation; integrity/human dignity; and collegiality and public engagement. It is a learning-centered College committed to the intellectual, ethical, and career growth of all learners, both inside and outside the classroom. The College offers the following bachelor s and master s programs: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (4-8 Certification) Bachelor of Science in Mathematics (8-12 Certification) Bachelor of Science in Biology Bachelor of Science in Biology (4-8 Certification) Bachelor of Science in Biology (8-12 Certification) Composite Science Bachelor of Science in Biology (8-12 Certification) Life Science

4 Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering RN to BSN Program Information Bachelor of Science in Nursing Master of Science in Nursing Administration THE COMMUNITY The University is located in Texarkana, on the border of Texas and Arkansas, about two hours from Little Rock, Arkansas, and three hours from Dallas, Texas. The Ouachita Mountains, one hour away, provide exceptional outdoor recreation activities. The immediate area offers a variety of hunting and fishing locations for the outdoor sportsman. Texarkana also has Texarkana Golf Ranch, one of the topranked golf courses in Texas, located across the street from the campus. Texarkana is a city split by the Texas and Arkansas state lines, with a combined population of 67,000 people. There are two separate city governments, each represented by a mayor, city council, and city manager. The Twin Cities share services such as the regional airport, library, and Bi-State Justice Center. Competition between the Texas and Arkansas railroad builders, who converged at the state line near the Red River, was the catalyst for the first selling of city lots in Today, Texarkana boasts a vibrant economic, educational and cultural life combined with a cost of living that is 10 percent below the national average. In 2008, Forbes.com ranked Texarkana second on its list of small metro areas with the fastest growing gross metropolitan product. The city was ranked #22 in a Business.com and Moody s Economy.com report entitled America s 25 Next Reviving Job Markets. It is the regional medical center for more than 400,000 people, with over 3,000 health professionals and two acute care hospitals with more than 675 beds. The Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council (TRAHC) manages the Perot Theatre, named for major benefactor and Texarkana native Ross Perot, and the Regional Arts Center. Regional and national exhibitions and educational programs are offered by the Regional Arts Center, while the Perot Theatre hosts a variety of theatrical and musical events, including performances by the Texarkana Symphony. Women for the Arts has provided more than $800,000 annually for TRAHC activities. The City of Texarkana, Texas, has been very supportive of the University, donating 300 of the current 375 acres and committing $20 million in infrastructure and roads.

5 For an aerial tour of the city, click on: LEADERSHIP AGENDA Challenges The College is a mix of a number of programs, all with unique needs. The nursing program (BSN and MSN) is completely online. The BSN is an RN to BSN program, requiring all applicants to have RN licensure. It is currently the only accredited program within the College, and will have an accreditation visit in Thus, the new dean must be familiar with online programs as well as accreditation standards. The program faces competition within the region. While the departments of biology and mathematics are growing, electrical engineering (two faculty) and computer science (three faculty) are below enrollment goals. Consideration is being given to replacing these two degrees with a BS in engineering with areas of concentration in electrical engineering and computer science, but the decision is pending. ABET accreditation is seen as essential if the electrical engineering program is to attract students, either from Texas, nationally or internationally. The electrical engineering and computer science programs would be the only accredited programs in these areas within 100 miles. Opportunities The University has recently purchased a 375-acre farm and wants to make it a centerpiece for field study, including the creation of a research lab. There is talk of making it an environmental learning project. There is a current project to incorporate activities on the land into lab arrangements with agencies, and to implement project-based learning. The farm could be a great environmental science lab as well as good recruitment tool.

6 The campus has great potential for growth. There are currently three buildings and more to come, and the new dean will be on the ground floor for the science building. Programmatic and partnership growth can come from the good connections with local schools in terms of math and science. There is a small but high quality undergraduate research initiative that should be expanded. Community support for the university and the College of STEM is very high, and some fundraising has already occurred. Attributes Regardless of their unique circumstances, both the administration and faculty across all disciplines have expressed a desire for the new dean to have sufficient administrative experience and the following leadership skills: Demonstrated experience with relationship building amongst community and business Demonstrated multi-disciplinary collaboration The ability to bring people together with common goals, regardless of discipline-specific issues The ability to generate new programs that will attract students An understanding of and experience with grants and contracts QUALIFICATIONS Successful candidates must have an earned doctorate in engineering, science, mathematics, computer science, or nursing, be tenured or eligible for tenure at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and have at least three years of successful academic administrative experience at the chair level or above. Preferred Qualifications: o Experience with specialized accreditation in a discipline represented by the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Nursing o Evidence of collaboration that crosses disciplines o Experience in small-to-midsize colleges or regional universities o Successful innovation with new program development o Significant administrative experience, including planning and budgetary management o Successful record of fundraising and/or grant generation o Record of successful business and/or industry community involvement o Demonstration of significant scholarship TO APPLY The search is being assisted by Academic Search, Inc. To schedule a confidential discussion with Senior Consultant Jessica Kozloff or Tessa Martinez Pollack prior to applying or nominating, please contact Associate Consultant Andrea Cowsert at abc@academic-search.com. The position will remain open until filled, but only applications received by February 14, 2014, can be assured full consideration.

7 Application materials should consist of a curriculum vitae or resume, a substantive cover letter addressing qualifications listed above, and a list of at least five references with contact information, none of whom will be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. Applications and nominations should be submitted electronically to TexarkanaDean@academicsearch.com. It is the policy of A&M-Texarkana not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, or veteran status in its academic programs, activities or employment practices.