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Posted: 11/10/16

A&M University System Board of Regents Appoints Arenaz as TAMIU’s Sixth President

 

Dr. Pablo Arenaz
Dr. Pablo Arenaz  

COLLEGE STATION, TX -- The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has appointed Dr. Pablo Arenaz as the sixth president of Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) at their Board meeting in College Station Thursday.

Dr. Arenaz, the University’s provost and vice president for academic affairs since 2008, follows the presidency of Dr. Ray Keck, who the Board affirmed as president of Texas A&M University-Commerce Thursday. 

“Dr. Arenaz will be an outstanding leader for Texas A&M International University,” said Cliff Thomas, Chairman of the Board of Regents, “It is an honor to officially appoint him president of this important institution.” 

“Dr. Arenaz is an inspired choice for the presidency of TAMIU,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, “I am confident that, with his steady leadership, the University’s future is very bright.” 

Leaders of TAMIU’s faculty and staff senates concurred.

“The TAMIU Faculty Senate sends its hearty congratulations to President Pablo Arenaz. We are looking forward to a long, successful, and cordial relationship. Dr. Arenaz was a superior Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and we know he will be successful as TAMIU’s new president,” said Dr. Jim Norris, Faculty Senate president and associate professor of political science. 

“Receiving news that Dr. Pablo Arenaz was the sole finalist for the presidency of this great University was so exciting.  We know that he will continue to serve TAMIU with the same passion and commitment as he did when he was Provost.  As TAMIU continues to grow and expand, having a strong leader at the forefront is imperative to our future success, and we have no doubt that Dr. Arenaz is that leader.  We congratulate Dr. Arenaz on this major accomplishment and I look forward to the continuation of our working relationship,” said San Juanita Perez, Staff Senate president and associate director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement. 

Arenaz said he was grateful for the opportunity, and eager to advance TAMIU. 

“I am humbled by the confidence expressed in me by the Board of Regents and Chancellor Sharp and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to advance the growth and development of TAMIU.  TAMIU is a multi-faceted gem and I am eager to further hone its brilliance, amplify its setting, and increase its value to multiple markets,” Dr. Arenaz said.

 Before joining TAMIU, Arenaz was vice provost for graduate studies and dean of the graduate school at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).  Originally from Nevada, he holds a Ph.D. in Genetics and Cell Biology from Washington State University, as well as an M.S. in Biology and a B.S. in Education from the University of Nevada-Reno. He conducted postdoctoral research at Temple University’s School of Medicine, Fels Research Institute. His academic appointments have included assistant, associate and full professor of Biology.

Other UTEP posts included Vice Provost, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Associate Dean for the Colleges of Science and Engineering. His special UTEP appointments included program director for the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program, Alliance for Minority Participation and Border Biomedical Research Center. 

He has been active in securing research grants in excess of $35 million from the Carnegie Corporation of America, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, among others.

The author or co-author of 25+ publications and over 115 abstracts, his research interests have been tightly focused on cell cycle regulation of DNA repair gene expression, with particular interest in the observable physical characteristics associated with the so-called “mutator” phenotype and its relationship to cancer.

He said he is fascinated by the ever-growing intersections between science and business, and is personally committed to encouraging students of all ages to broaden their STEM experience and take on research opportunities no matter their chosen higher education degree journey.

Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Dr. Arenaz’ family traces their ancestry to the Basque Country of northern Spain. 

He has been married to Norma Arenaz for 29 years.  The couple has children:  Cristina, Rebekah and Pablo III. 

Dr. Arenaz will be meeting with members of the media on Monday to share his story and vision for the University. A formal Investiture Ceremony is being planned for this Spring.

 For additional information, contact the TAMIU Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu, click on tamiu.edu or visit social media sites on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube.

 

About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $4.2 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities and seven state agencies, the Texas A&M System educates more than 140,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. System-wide, research and development expenditures exceeded $946 million in FY 2015 and helped drive the state’s economy.