TAMIU Narrows Search for New Provost to Four, Decision Expected Shortly

Texas A&M International University's national search for a new provost and vice president for academic affairs has been narrowed to four top candidates.

The final four include: Dr. Juan N. Franco of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Dr. Galan M. Janeksela of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Dr. Bernie L. Patterson of Milledgeville, Georgia and Dr. Jerry D. Thompson of Laredo.

Chair of the search committee, Dr. Rosa Maria Vida, dean of the College of Education, said the group's search has been nationwide and she believes the quality of the candidates is impressive.

"This has been an exhaustive national search and we believe it has rendered an impressive series of final candidates. We are confident that the candidates possess the higher education to lead our University's continued academic growth," she explained.

Interviews with the final four are now underway and the committee's recommendation to president Dr. Ray Keck is expected shortly, she noted.

Dr. Franco is currently Regents' chief of staff and interim vice president for student services and dean of students at New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruces. He holds his Ph.D. in counseling and educational psychology from NMSU and has been a part of that institution's faculty or administration since 1975.

Dr. Janeksela is dean of the College of Health and Human Services and professor of social and community services at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. He holds his Ph.D. in sociology from Iowa State University. He has held his current position at UTC since 1996. Other institutions he has served as a faculty member or administrator include Wichita State University and the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Dr. Patterson is dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville. He holds a Ph.D. in criminology from The University at Albany, State University of New York in Albany, New York. He has held his current position since 1994. Other institutions he has served as faculty or administrator have included Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia.

Dr. Thompson is dean of Texas A&M International University's College of Arts and Humanities. He holds his D.A. from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has held his current position since 1995 and has held faculty and or administrative positions at the former Laredo Sate University, Laredo Junior College and the University of New Mexico.

The provost and vice president for academic affairs is the University's chief academic officer and as such is responsible for the maintenance, development and implementation of academic programs for the University.

For additional information on the provost search at Texas A&M International University, please contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at 326.2180, email to pais@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Killam Library, room 268.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu