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Posted: 1/29/21

TAMIU’s President Arenaz Named Recipient of President’s Award, Region III, by NASPA

 

Dr. Pablo Arenaz
Dr. Pablo Arenaz, recipient of 2021 President's Award for Region III, NASPA.  

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) president Dr. Pablo Arenaz has been selected the 2021 Recipient of The President’s Award for Region III by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).

NASPA is a member-centered association of student affairs administrators in higher education. It supports a diverse and passionate network of 15,000 professionals and 1200 institutions worldwide. It annually honors prominent higher education and student affairs leaders, programs, and initiatives that contribute to or impact the field.

The President’s Award is a special recognition given to a college or university president who has, over a sustained period of time, advanced the quality of student life on campus by supporting student affairs staff and programs. 

Dr. Arenaz said the Award is both humbling and inspiring.

“It’s a humbling honor to be singled out in such a vast region for doing something that I find is at the core of University leadership:  service to all.  This recognition serves to continue to inspire me to ensure all members of our University community:  students, faculty, staff and alumni, realize the power of higher education to transform lives.  Every day I set foot on this campus, I am reminded of the life-changing difference and impact the University makes real.  Our students, faculty and staff always challenge and inspire me to, as we say here, ‘Go Beyond,’”  Arenaz said. 

In her nomination, Student Government Association president Mariana Rodríguez noted, “Even though President Arenaz is a renowned intellectual, he maintains an approachable and humble attitude and looks for the best in every student, faculty and staff member.  He knows the importance of the value of kindness as it brings the University community greatness and success.  He knows that every person is important and truly values their presence in this University.  The values and attitudes he presents make me want to aspire to be as courageous and innovative…” 

Another nomination noted “Dr. Arenaz exemplifies what exemplary performance as a President should be:  building access for under-represented populations, inspiring new generations of students,s and leaving a mark on the larger higher education field.”

NASPA’S Region III broadly encompasses the southeastern United States, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.  It also includes México, the Caribbean islands of the Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago; the Bermuda Islands; the African countries of Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa; the Eastern European country of Bulgaria; the Middle Eastern countries of Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and the East Asian countries of Japan and Taiwan. 

Arenaz is the sixth president of TAMIU and was affirmed by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents in November 2016.

He holds his Ph.D. in Genetics and Cell Biology from Washington State University and an M.S. in Biology from the University of Nevada at Reno (UNR).  His B.S. in Education was also earned at UNR. 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.

Prior to joining TAMIU as Provost in 2008, he served as Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).  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. 

Founded in 1918 at the University of Wisconsin, NASPA has grown to become a diverse international organization with members in all 50 states, 25 countries, and eight U.S. territories.  

A Member of The Texas A&M University System, TAMIU is a primarily Hispanic-serving, State-assisted university founded in 1970. Its 300-acre campus is located on former ranchland. 

It is home to a diverse enrollment of over 8,400  students from 31 countries and 28 US states. TAMIU offers transformative undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in the arts and sciences, business, education and nursing. As its name affirms, the University maintains a special focus on developing an international academic agenda for the State of Texas. Its 29,000+ graduates lead lives of change and impact around the world. 

To learn more about TAMIU, visit: https://www.tamiu.edu

For more on Dr. Arenaz, visit: https://www.tamiu.edu/president 

For additional information on NASPA, visit: https://www.naspa.org