TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY- KINGSVILLE UNIVERISTY PROFILE

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY- KINGSVILLE UNIVERISTY PROFILE

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 University Profile 4 University History 6 Points of Distinction 7 Mission, Vision, Core Values 8 Leadership TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM Texas A&M University-Kingsville is a member of The Texas A&M University System. The A&M System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $3.8 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 $820 million and help drive the state s economy.

UNIVERSITY PROFILE Texas A&M University-Kingsville is growing, and there has never been a more exciting time to become part of Javelina Nation. The university experienced unprecedented growth in many ways over the last 10 years: Enrollment has grown more than 66 percent from fall 2008 to fall 2017. The number of graduates has grown by almost 88 percent in the past 10 years. The number of students graduating from the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering has grown 192 percent since 2008. The university has increased the number of graduates in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields by over 129 percent in the past 10 years. Texas A&M-Kingsville and the Texas A&M-Kingsville Foundation Inc. combine for more than 300 endowed funds totaling more than $100 million in support of the university. Charitable giving to the university averages more than $10 million annually. In addition, Texas A&M-Kingsville added unique academic programs that enhance its reputation and reinforce its tradition of creating groundbreaking programs with national significance. Programs include: B.S. in Veterinary Technology B.S. in Gas Engineering B.S. in Architectural Engineering B.S. in Criminal Justice M.S. in Criminology M.S. in Music Performance M.S. in Ranch Management Ph.D. in Sustainable Energy Systems Engineering 2

UNIVERSITY HISTORY The roots of Javelina Nation began in 1917 when the Texas Legislature approved plans to locate a teachers college in Kingsville. The citizens of Kingsville lobbied hard for the college to be located within their community, and that strong spirit of cooperation between the town and the University still exists today. With a focus on teaching and research programs, Texas A&M University-Kingsville boasts several renowned research centers that evolved from the natural environment of the region. The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Citrus Center, and National Natural Toxins Research Center are well-known throughout the world. In the past six years, new centers such as the Eagle Ford Center for Research, Education and Outreach and the Institute of Architectural Engineering Heritage were created in response to regional needs and are well on their way to achieving widespread attention. 3

Undergraduates are encouraged to participate in hands-on projects, many through the Ronald McNair Scholars Program. The university has a 545-acre farm near the main campus that creates research opportunities for students. In addition, the Stephen Tio and Janell Kleberg Wildlife Research Park provides additional facilities for research on deer, quail, and other native species. As the oldest comprehensive institution of higher education in South Texas, Texas A&M-Kingsville offers a complete array of bachelor s and master s degrees (more than 40 programs in each) along with selected doctoral and professional programs. Well-known academic programs include music, engineering, biomedical sciences, and wildlife and agriculture. The campus at Texas A&M-Kingsville creates an environment for well-rounded students. Campus housing accommodates approximately 2,300 students in seven residence halls. The two newest halls, Lucio Hall and Mesquite Village West, were added in 2011 and 2012 and feature two- and four-bedroom suite-style floor plans. Mesquite Village West houses Honors College students and offices. Construction also included the Javelina Dining Hall, which opened in the spring of 2011. The Student Recreation Center, which offers two fullsize gyms, a weight and cardio fitness room and an elevated jogging track, was built in 2010. Participation in 135 student organizations and a wide array of recreational/intramural sports enhance college life at A&M-Kingsville. The University is proud to be part of the Lone Star Conference and participates in NCAA Division II athletics in men s and women s basketball, baseball, cross country, football, women s golf, softball, women s tennis, track and field, and volleyball. 4

POINTS OF DISTINCTION Texas A&M-Kingsville offers the world s only master s degree in ranch management through the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management. The university is one of only two universities in Texas that offer a bachelor s degree in architectural engineering. The National Natural Toxins Research Center is the only federally funded viper research center in the United States and is one of the leading research centers in the world for discovering toxins for use in biomedical research. The historic natural gas degree was the first of its kind when it was introduced in 1937. The bilingual education doctoral program was the first of its kind when it was founded in 1975. The Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute is one of the leading wildlife research programs in the country. The university s Citrus Center in Weslaco is a world-class research facility. It is internationally known for developing the Rio Star and Ruby Red grapefruits. A new variety, the Texas Red, is in development. The College of Business Administration holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) a distinction held by just five percent of all business schools around the world. The Institute of Architectural Engineering Heritage provides Texas communities and organizations with access to support assessment and documentation of heritage sites and their cultural impact. 5 Two faculty recently were honored with prestigious Fulbright Scholar awards. Dr. Fidel Hernandez from the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences conducted research in Chile as part of his Fulbright award, and Dr. Ari Sherris from the College of Education and Human Performance studied oral language in Africa and developed a curriculum to teach it in an effort to keep it from disappearing.

MISSION The mission of Texas A&M University-Kingsville is to enrich lives through education, discovery and service in South Texas and beyond. VISION Texas A&M University-Kingsville is committed to being a renowned, diverse community of learners and innovators. CORE VALUES The core values of Texas A&M University-Kingsville are Excellence: Continuous achievement of high standards Integrity: Ethical conduct in all endeavors Opportunity: Pursuit of personal and professional growth Discovery: Expansion and application of knowledge Service: Actions beneficial to others 6

DR. STEVEN H. TALLANT Steven H. Tallant became the 19th president of Texas A&M University-Kingsville in October 2008. He immediately focused on building a leadership team, increasing enrollment, enhancing university facilities and increasing the visibility of the campus through a wider marketing initiative. Under his leadership, the campus experienced a 63 percent increase in enrollment over a seven-year period and a 44 percent increase in research expenditures. Approximately $100 million has been invested in new construction and renovations, including two new residence halls, a new recreation center and a new dining facility. This expansion was accompanied by development of a campus master plan to guide growth and construction over the next 50 years. He has been recognized for his commitment to higher education and the community many times throughout his career; most recently, he received the 2013 Citizen of the Year Award from the Kingsville Noon Rotary Club and the 2013 Community Leader Award from LULAC Council 1. He also is a recipient of the President s Award from the Corpus Christi chapter of the NAACP and the Humanitarian of the Year from LULAC Council #1. In 2012, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp appointed him to the Texas A&M System Office of Sponsored Research Services Advisory Board. The same year, State Representative Todd Hunter appointed him to the Education Workforce Task Force in Corpus Christi. He is a member of the Executive Committee for the Texas Council of Public Universities Presidents and Chancellors and a past chair of the Lone Star Council of Presidents. Tallant also is a member of the Off-site Review Committee for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College, Cluster 10. In addition, he is a board member for the Board of Directors for KEDT/ South Texas Public Broadcasting System, Inc. President Tallant earned his B.A. (Sociology) from the University of Florida, his M.S.W. (Social Work) from the University of Utah and his Ph.D. (Social Welfare) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also is a graduate of the Governor s Executive Development Program through the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas. 7

G. ALLEN RASMUSSEN Allen Rasmussen is currently the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Texas A&M University- Kingsville Research and Graduate Studies. Allen has served as a faculty member, and department head at Utah State University and as a faculty member, dean and VP for research at A&M University-Kingsville. As the VP for research and dean of graduate studies (2016-2018) he was responsible for facilitating the research and graduate programs across the University. During his time as dean of the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences (2006-2016) his focus was on developing the research capabilities of faculty and improving student opportunities. The faculty research funding increased over 100% and the student body increased over 80%. Much of this has focused on state and federal initiatives to help deal with the issues faced by the citrus, ranching and wildlife industries. His career research work focused on helping people understand how to manage natural resources. This ranged from the technical applications of resource monitoring to mediating environmental conflicts in rural communities. His international experience has encompassed Ethiopia, Morocco, Jordan, Israel, Australia, India, Mexico and Canada. He has been recognized by the Society for Range Management with an Outstanding Achievement and Fellow awards. In addition, Allen has served as president of the Society for Range Management, on its board of directors and on the board for the International Arid Lands Consortium. Allen received his B.S. and M.S. from Texas A&M University in College Station and his PhD in Range Science at Texas Tech University. 8