With a student population of over 38,000, Texas State University is an Emerging Research and Hispanic-Serving University located in the burgeoning Austin-San Antonio corridor. Founded in 1899 and currently the 16th largest public institution in the United States in terms of undergraduate enrollment, Texas State enrolls students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 66 countries. Students choose from 98 undergraduate, 90 master’s, and 12 doctoral programs offered by ten colleges (Applied Arts, the Emmett and Miriam McCoy College of Business Administration, Education, Fine Arts and Communication, Health Professions, Honors, Liberal Arts, Science and Engineering, the Graduate College, and the University College). With a diverse campus community, including just over 50 percent of the student body from ethnic minorities, Texas State is one of the top 14 producers of Hispanic baccalaureate graduates in the nation. Ideally situated on almost 600 acres across two campuses (San Marcos and Round Rock), Texas State is in the midst of the largest construction program in its history, experiencing an exciting period of growth with approximately $659 million in new construction, renovation, and expansion. The main campus in San Marcos boasts 209 buildings, including 24 campus residence halls and apartments.

Ranked as one of the fastest growing small cities in the U.S. in three of the past five years by the U.S. Census Bureau and listed in Forbes’ 2018 Best Places to Retire, San Marcos combines small-town charm with big-time energy. Located along the crystal-clear San Marcos River roughly halfway between Austin and San Antonio and on the edge of the famous Texas Hill Country, San Marcos offers its 60,000+ residents the best of everything. With the area being widely known for hiking trails, spectacular views, fields of wildflowers, world-class gourmet dining, and a rich cultural history, it’s no wonder the Texas State students call it “San Marvelous!”

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The Position

Responsibilities of the Position

Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Support Services, the Chief of Police works closely with the University Police Department staff, campus constituents, and the local community to promote a safe and secure environment for Texas State University. The Chief provides comprehensive leadership, strategic vision, and general oversight for patrol operations, investigations, community policing, crime prevention strategies, emergency response, community outreach, educational services, crime statistics, federal compliance reporting, and programs for the campus community. Managing a comprehensive 24-hour/365 day-a-year department, the Chief leads a staff of 57, including supervisors, campus police officers, dispatchers, and administrative staff, overseeing all recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, retention, and performance evaluations. The Chief also provides direction for emergency management planning, response, and coordination, working collaboratively with campus leaders to direct campus response to emergencies and crisis situations while providing safety and security services to the campus community. Additionally, the Chief manages the departmental budget of more than $7 million; develops the department’s goals and objectives, policies and procedures, oversees procurement and property maintenance; enforces local, state, and federal laws, including the rules and regulations as prescribed by the Texas State University System Board of Regents and the Texas State University administration; maintains an awareness of IACLEA best practices and national trends related to safety/security and legal issues impacting higher education; works closely with local, county, and state public safety officials to enforce city ordinances and state laws; and tracks crime statistics to ensure compliance with college, state, and federal reporting responsibilities. The Chief fosters and maintains collaborative and proactive relationships with students, student organizations, faculty, staff, and campus departments, as well as external agencies such as law enforcement and emergency management agencies, in an effort to address safety and security priorities, educational outreach, and community policing programs.

Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

The position requires a bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in criminal justice, public administration, education, social sciences, or closely related field, with at least ten years of demonstrated leadership in law enforcement, including increasing level and scope of responsibilities, command supervisory experience, budget management, and operational/programmatic responsibilities for safety. The successful candidate will demonstrate a vision for building a cutting-edge law enforcement agency with an emphasis on best practices in a higher education setting; possess excellent communication skills and experience in media relations; and exhibit a previous record of success at a command level in a residential, university campus, or similar environment. Experience with emergency preparedness, crisis management response, and communication systems are also required. It is highly desired that candidates be a team player with collaboration and data-driven decision-making skills, as well as a customer service and skilled relationship builder who can demonstrate patience, attentiveness, and knowledge. The successful candidate will demonstrate initiative, accountability, ownership, and self-discipline, with confidence to handle problems independently; leadership that demonstrates enthusiasm toward supporting university goals, mission, and values; the ability to express ideas and information in a clear and concise manner; and the ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with diverse faculty, staff, students, and visitors. Texas State University is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive community to support the success of the full range of its students and employees, and, in doing so, believes that employees who feel valued and respected will create policies, programs, practices, and services to effectively meet the needs and exceed the expectations of our increasingly diverse student populations.

In addition to the minimum academic and experiential requirements indicated in this document, other desired characteristics, skills, actions, and/or abilities noted from discussions with institutional stakeholders include:

  • a progressive background in law enforcement, preferably in a large, complex, residential higher education setting;
  • strong leadership abilities that inspire staff and promote unity and teamwork, as well as human relations skills to deal effectively with personnel issues when necessary;
  • demonstrated skills as an advocate and champion for diversity, equity, inclusivity, and social justice, and a willingness to stand up for these values, even in difficult situations;
  • an excellent and transparent communicator with the ability to reach all levels of the department and the University, including the ability to effectively speak to the press, parents, and the campus community;
  • able to listen carefully, ask knowledgeable questions, learn the department and its intricacies, accept input from staff, and then make well-informed decisions;
  • possess strategic vision and ability to motivate all levels of staff to support that vision;
  • deep knowledge of community policing and ability to integrate that philosophy into the culture of the Police Department;
  • a student-centered philosophy in which the welfare of students and improvement of the student experience are of the highest priority;
  • possessing problem solving skills, with the ability to determine needs, address issues, and manage change effectively;
  • having strong assessment skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions, set expectations across the department, devise and implement a plan, analyze the results, and propose changes and updates based on these outcomes;
  • demonstrated knowledge and experience in compliance and associated reporting requirements, particularly the details of CLERY;
  • adaptable to significant changes on the spur of the moment, not reactive, and able to address situations with a cool and collected demeanor;
  • demonstrated experience with organizational development, management, and structural reorganization;
  • able to build strong bonds with and understand the student development philosophy of the Division of Student Affairs, as many of the areas that the Chief will encounter will fall in the student affairs purview (e.g., controversial speakers, Greeks, Housing, campus recreation, etc.);
  • a strategic and data-informed decision-maker who is also able to think fast on their feet when necessary;
  • strong marketing skills, with the ability to be the positive “face” of University Police;
  • ethical, with the utmost integrity, and a good steward of resources;
  • demonstrated experience in embracing and utilizing new and innovative technology;
  • previous experience in departmental accreditation is highly desirable;
  • strong budgeting and finance skills, and able to be strategic in all budgetary decisions and recognize at all times the limits of the state budgeting system;
  • a great collaborator with internal departments and external colleagues, with the ability to understand the importance of interconnectedness;
  • an innovator with a futuristic orientation and willing to try new opportunities, remain informed on new trends and best practices, and lead significant change processes;
  • able to understand that a comprehensive commitment to a customer service philosophy is one of the top priorities of the position;
  • an ardent delegator who can balance knowing when to actively participate and when tasks can be delegated to others who are empowered;
  • willing to be visible on campus, to participate in the life of the campus, and to work with the administration to provide information and news to the campus community in a timely and appropriate fashion;
  • politically savvy and tactful, with the ability to fight diplomatically for the needs of the staff and the department;
  • possessing a knowledge of social media and able to harness and leverage it for the department;
  • possessing a positive attitude and good sense of humor;
  • experience in and support for IACLEA or other professional law enforcement organizations that provide education and development for campus;
  • possessing an understanding of mental health issues, as well as the value of having officers trained as mental health officers and being front-line contacts in this area;
  • able to adequately staff major campus events, including athletics and entertainment, in an efficient and cost-effective manner;
  • possessing deep knowledge of first-amendment and free-speech issues as they relate to a public university setting; and
  • experience with crisis management, emergency operations, law enforcement training, and continuity planning.

History of the Position

The Chief of Police position has been vacant since May, 2018, when the previous Chief of Police, who had retired from the San Antonio Police Department before coming to Texas State, left to pursue other opportunities. The current Interim Chief of Police, Captain Rickey Lattie, is a trusted 32-year veteran of the university Police Department and is not applying for the permanent position.

Likely Opportunities, Priorities, and Challenges of the Position

The next Chief of Police must possess a broad and deep understanding of national best practices with regard to community policing, large campus culture, modern technology, and staff development. The Chief should be an experienced leader capable of managing crises and complex situations, and equipped to contribute at both a strategic and tactical level to a vibrant, dynamic, and large state higher education environment.

The Texas State stakeholders seemed genuinely interested in participating in discussions about this position, and there was a sense of unity in support of identifying a competent and visionary individual who can promote the team, put students as a top priority, and lead the department into the future. A number of opportunities, priorities, and challenges that will face the new Chief of Police at Texas State University were identified.

  • The scope of responsibilities of this department is wide, and the new Chief will need to quickly become familiar with all aspects under their purview in order to develop a comprehensive list of priorities. With a large and growing campus, as well as an off-site campus at Round Rock 40 miles away, the University Police Department has an extremely wide scope of responsibility for ensuring that the safety and security of Texas State students is of primary concern. The new Chief will need to prioritize a great deal of time up front, learning about the nuances and priorities of the campus, discovering the internal needs of the department, and beginning the development of a new strategic plan moving forward.
  • Consequently, there is great opportunity for an experienced campus law enforcement professional to put their own professional mark on the University Police Department program and build it to a higher level based on their experience, their innovative abilities, and national best practices. There is tremendous support and high expectations for the Chief from the administration, with a supportive supervisor who will empower this individual to enact change; consequently, the opportunity exists to bring an exciting new direction to the University Police environment that can positively impact students for many years to come.
  • In an effort to build trust and a safer, more secure campus environment, the new Chief must fully commit to implementing a community policing philosophy into the University Police Department. While already present within the UPD, a stronger community policing philosophy will allow the Chief and the other officers an opportunity to be seen not as strong-arm law enforcement and more as functional members of the campus community. Officers should be visible, accessible, and proactive with the student body, consistently networking with the faculty and administration, interactively involving the campus in safety and security endeavors, and generally providing a positive representation of the department as an active member of the Texas State community. The new Chief should use IACLEA best practices, innovative new trends, and other professional networks to inform the further development of this community policing philosophy.
  • Texas State University has recently undergone an IACLEA Peer Review, and the results of this review can be a springboard for the new Chief to begin a new strategic plan. Because this report should provide real data on the state of the department, the new Chief will have a realistic assessment of the areas of the department that are operating effectively, as well as those areas that need strengthening.
  • There will be a directive to pursue accreditation as a Police Department within the first several years of the Chief’s tenure, and this will guide the work of the new Chief because it involves a top to bottom review of the department – standard operating procedures, policies and procedures, adopting national best practices, and a general forward direction in the emphasis of the department.
  • With a deep and previously-established culture within University Police, the new Chief should prepare to spend a great deal of time intently listening to the members of the current staff, understanding the departmental culture, and then developing a future plan for moving the department forward based on these conversations and findings.
  • As a large public research institution, Texas State University is on the move, with explosive growth and an exciting atmosphere looking toward the future. The University has great ambitions and has the ability to push those ambitions to become reality, with a great number of building and expansion projects on the docket in the coming years. The Austin-San Antonio corridor is one of the most desirable places in the country to live, and San Marcos, Texas State’s college town, sits centrally between these two cities in a geographically ideal location. With music, food, culture, night life, family events, and outdoor recreation in abundance, there is something for everyone in all walks of life, as well as other typical issues that come with an urban environment. Upon arrival, the Chief should expect a fast pace and a fresh and vibrant environment in which to work at Texas State. With this fast pace also comes high expectation.
  • The Texas State satellite campus at Round Rock is located 40 miles away from the San Marcos campus, so the Chief will need to consider how to better integrate that operation into the main police department. As the Round Rock campus grows, the Chief will need to consider how the department should be updated and redesigned to accommodate for its certain growth. While the officers at Round Rock are functioning efficiently now, there is a need to establish an even stronger relationship between the two campuses and to determine the best way to support and develop that staff for maximum effectiveness in the future.
  • The new Chief must commit to a comprehensive culture of collaboration and partnering both on campus and externally for maximum effectiveness; Texas State University is committed to building relationships as a foundation of the campus culture, and strong collaboration is an absolute necessity in all endeavors to ensure success. University Police touch a vast number of individuals, departments, and other entities, so it will be crucial that the new Chief quickly reach out across campus to build strong associations and partnerships to foster ongoing positive relationships and be a “connector” in all instances. These connections are essential in order to assess real needs, design student-centered programs, and provide high-end customer service at all times. Additionally, the University Police Department works closely with local police and the sheriff’s department in a number of situations, so the new Chief should be prepared to continue to foster strong collaborative relationships with these entities at all times.
  • The Chief must make accountability a priority and must forge a balance between enforcing rules and supporting the educational mission of the institution. Working hand-in-hand with the student conduct office is an essential relationship, and one that will promote restorative justice and educational prioritization.
  • The student body at Texas State is activist in nature, so the new Chief should be prepared to work together with the students to provide safe and secure environments in which to voice their views. The President described Texas State as a “50/50 Campus,” with the student body being divided down the middle on nearly every issue. The student body is empowered and activated on social issues, is vocal, and will conduct demonstrations around these issues. The campus itself is vibrant, and often active well into the late night hours. It is the responsibility of the Police Department at Texas State to ensure a safe and secure environment for these events to take place, and the Chief should have an understanding of how student protests can be safely and positively supported by campus law enforcement, while also holding students accountable when laws are broken.
  • Over the years, the Police Department has taken on responsibility for a number of different technologies, so the new Chief will want to take a close look at how their particular technology and systems fit into the overall campus technology plan, and then work in partnership with campus IT to integrate these technologies where possible.
  • Texas State University is deeply committed to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and community and human relations, so the new Chief will need to keep these concepts as top priority -at all times. As a Hispanic-serving institution, and with a student population that is over 50 percent ethnic minority, the Chief must ensure inclusion of education and training around diversity, equity, bias, discrimination, and inclusivity in all areas of the department.

Measures of Success for the Position

At an appropriate interval after joining Texas State University, the items listed below will initially define success for the new Chief of Police.

  • Campus climate surveys show that student perception of the police force and the services provided are positive and rising.
  • A strategic plan for moving forward has been established, and the goals and objectives in that plan are being met.
  • A plan is in place to pursue accreditation, and action steps are being taken to enact this plan.
  • Staffing levels are at or near allocated levels, and employee climate surveys within the department show high satisfaction and retention levels.
  • A technology plan has been embedded within the strategic plan, and efforts to upgrade departmental technology are in place.
  • The Chief has established solid relationships with individuals and departments across the University and the larger community.
  • The Chief is viewed as a strong campus leader, is considered the campus expert on law enforcement and the “face” of the department, and, based on IACLEA best practices across the country, the department is employing the latest and most effective campus law enforcement and community policing practices.

An Overview of the University Police Department

The University Police Department reports to Mr. Eric Algoe, Vice President for Finance and Support Services. All officers are trained and certified in law enforcement and crime prevention, and are licensed as peace officers by the State of Texas.

Institution & Location

Institutional Background

Educational Excellence:

Texas State’s 38,694 students choose from 97 bachelor’s, 92 master’s and 14 doctoral degree programs offered by the following colleges: Applied Arts, McCoy College of Business Administration, Education, Fine Arts and Communication, Health Professions, Liberal Arts, Science and Engineering, University College and The Graduate College. As an Emerging Research University, Texas State offers opportunities for discovery and innovation to faculty and students.

Our students come from around the globe and our student body is diverse. Fifty-two percent of Texas State students are ethnic minorities. Texas State ranks 14th in the nation for total bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic students. See the Facts and Data page for more information on our student body.

Texas State is proud to be a tobacco-free campus.

Texas State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Texas State University.

Locations:

Texas State’s San Marcos campus is located in a growing community of 60,000 people in the Austin Metropolitan Area. Located in the Texas Hill Country, where blackland prairies roll into beautiful hills, Texas State enjoys a setting that is unique among Texas universities.

The beauty of the crystal-clear San Marcos River and the stately cypress and oak trees on the campus add to the charm of the university’s picturesque setting. Our location on the banks of the San Marcos River provides recreational activities for students throughout the year.

The Texas State Round Rock Campus is located north of Austin. Students there can take upper-level courses leading to bachelor’s degrees and complete master’s degree and certificate programs. Students who complete their degree requirements at the Round Rock Campus earn their degrees from Texas State University.

Completed in 1903, the red-roofed, castle-like landmark called Old Main was Texas State’s first building.

San Marcos Campus:

As the university’s student population has grown — from 303 in 1903, to 38,694 in 2017 — our San Marcos campus also has expanded. Today, the campus has grown to 491 acres. Texas State has an additional 4,000 acres of academic, agricultural, research, and recreational areas.

The Texas State campus is as diverse as the students who live and learn here. Our hilly grounds are home to 209 buildings. Some, like Old Main, are as old as the university itself. Others, such as the Angelina and San Gabriel residence halls, opened in 2016, and more new buildings are scheduled for completion soon.

At The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment on the Texas State campus, you can see the second-largest springs in Texas through the floor of a glass-bottom boat or glass-bottom kayak. These springs feed the San Marcos River and are home to eight endangered species, including the Texas blind salamander. Our campus is one of the best places in the world to study aquatic ecosystems and species.

History:

Authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1899, Southwest Texas State Normal School opened its doors in 1903. Over the years, the Legislature broadened the institution’s scope and changed its name, in succession, to Southwest Texas State Normal College, Southwest Texas State Teachers College, Southwest Texas State College, Southwest Texas State University, and in 2003, to Texas State University. Each name reflects the university’s growth from a small teacher preparation institution to a major, multipurpose university. Texas State’s original mission was to prepare Texas public school teachers. It became renowned for carrying out this mission, but today it does far more.

About San Marcos, TX

San Marcos enjoys the nickname “San Marvelous” due in large part to its natural beauty, with two rivers and four creeks flowing through the city. Situated on Interstate 35 between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos houses Texas State University, along with research facilities like the San Marcos National Fish Hatchery & Aquatic Resource Center. Residents of San Marcos enjoy generally mild winters and hot, humid summers. The San Marcos River is a popular place for tubing, canoeing, swimming, and fishing.

Population 54,712
Median Age 24
Median Household Income $28,923
Median Home Price $137,300
Walkscore 40

Located between the fast-growing metros of Austin and San Antonio, the Greater San Marcos region is attracting a new generation of entrepreneurs, students, families, veterans, chefs, musicians, and artists, all looking for an ideal place to live, work, and put their own twist on what it means to be a Texan. The region’s seven major cities (San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs, Wimberley, Lockhart, and Luling) each offer their own unique culture and advantages, from new real estate developments to diverse food and cultural scenes. In the heart of the “Innovation Corridor,” the San Marcos region is the perfect blend of city amenities, outdoor adventure, and Texan culture with a unique flair.

Here are five reasons why people from across the country are flocking to live in Greater San Marcos:

It’s a Region on the Rise — Without the Rising Costs

Just 30 miles outside of downtown Austin, Greater San Marcos offers close access to the vibrancy of Austin but at a more affordable cost (housing prices are nearly 40 percent less than Austin). But lower cost is not a sign of slower growth. In fact, San Marcos was ranked the fastest-growing city in the U.S. from 2013-2015 by the Census Bureau, and is the county seat of Hays County, which in 2016 was ranked the fastest-growing county in the nation with a population of more than 150,000. This growth has caused some to dub the region “America’s Next Great Metropolis.” Not only does the region offer a dramatically lower cost of living, Greater San Marcos is also adding employment opportunities at a rapid rate. Amazon is one of the many companies who have taken advantage of the area’s strategic location with a fulfillment center that has created more than 3,500 jobs.

It’s a Foodie’s Paradise—From the Best Texas Classics to Fine Dining

Home to a new wave of restaurants and bars, the San Marcos region has everything from award-winning cocktails at Cody’s Bistro and Lounge to locally sourced, modern fare at The Leaning Pear. Globally-inspired flavors are also plentiful at places like Palmer’s, where regional fusion is given a twist with New Mexico and New Orleans influences.

If true Texas staples are what you’re looking for, the Greater San Marcos is home to both the BBQ Capital of Texas (Lockhart) and the Pie Capital of Texas (Kyle) thanks to famous local favorites like Kreuz Market, Black’s BBQ, and the Texas Pie Company. The region is also home to craft breweries, distilleries, and wineries, which dot the beautiful Texas Hill Country and provide our residents with a lot of options to enjoy.

It’s an Oasis for Outdoor-Lovers

With Texas’s rolling hills as the region’s backdrop, the San Marcos region offers a variety of outdoor activities. Hike through one of the many trails and state parks or cool off in the 44-mile crystal clear turquoise waters of the San Marcos and Blanco Rivers, an ideal oasis for tubing, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming—with a year-round temperature of 72 degrees. Jacob’s Well and Blue Hole Regional Park are Instagram-famous, natural swimming holes and popular spots to cool down during the hot summer months.

For true outdoor adventure-seekers, San Marcos hosts the annual Texas Water Safari. Billed as the “world’s toughest canoe race”, it is a four-day, 260-mile canoe race to the Texas coastline.

It’s Where You’ll Find Your Dream Home — And Be Able to Afford It

Finding the perfect home in Greater San Marcos isn’t a headache—it’s a home buyer’s dream. You’ll find amenity-filled apartments, historic homes, and modern spaces with multiple acres of backyard at every price point (the median home price in Hays County was $255,031 in 2017). With over $2 billion in real estate investments happening in the San Marcos region right now, Trace and Plum Creek are two new master-planned communities featuring everything from athletic fields to nature parks to pools, embracing a variety of living styles to attract families and young professionals.

Additionally, La Cima, a sustainability-focused 2,000 acre master-planned community, will be one of the largest urban preserves in the U.S. with acres of permanent walkable open space and habitat lands. Kissing Tree, a new active adult development with a distinctly Texan feel offers a unique collection of indoor and outdoor amenities on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, including an 18-hole golf course.

It’s a Veterans’ Haven

Located between two of the military’s largest bases – Fort Hood and San Antonio – Greater San Marcos’s strategic location puts the region in an ideal position to support the huge wave of veterans looking to take advantage of the post 9-11 GI Bill. As a result, San Marcos has become one of the most veteran-friendly cities in the nation thanks to new job training programs and Texas State University, which has the largest student veteran population in the state.

The region also continuously recruits companies like San Diego-based Coast Flight, which established a new training facility to help U.S. military pilots transition into civilian airline pilots for the nation’s top airlines. Many local companies in the San Marcos region are also veteran-owned, such as Desert Door Distillery, the nation’s only sotol distiller that began as a class project between three military veterans.

For more information about San Marcos, TX, visit the Chamber of Commerce at https://sanmarcostexas.com/

Texas State University’s Mission

Texas State University is a doctoral-granting, student-centered institution dedicated to excellence and innovation in teaching, research, including creative expression, and service. The university strives to create new knowledge, to embrace a diversity of people and ideas, to foster cultural and economic development, and to prepare its graduates to participate fully and freely as citizens of Texas, the nation, and the world.

Values

In pursuing our mission, we, the faculty, staff, and students of Texas State University, are guided by a shared collection of values:

  • teaching and learning based on research, student involvement, and the free exchange of ideas in a supportive environment;
  • research and creative activities that encompass the full range of academic disciplines—research with relevance, from the sciences to the arts, from the theoretical to the applied;
  • the cultivation of character, integrity, honesty, civility, compassion, fairness, respect, and ethical behavior in all members of our university community;
  • a diversity of people and ideas, a spirit of inclusiveness, a global perspective, and a sense of community as essential conditions for campus life;
  • a commitment to service and leadership for the public good;
  • responsible stewardship of our resources and environment; and
  • continued reflection and evaluation to ensure that our strengths as a community always benefit those we serve.

Approved by the President’s Cabinet on October 3, 2016, and revised on December 19, 2016 (approved by the Board of Regents on February 16, 2017, and by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on February 24, 2017.)

Goals

  • Promote the success of all students.
  • Offer high quality academic and education programming.
  • Achieve significant progress in research and creative activity as measured by national standards.
  • Provide the necessary services, resources, and infrastructure to support the university’s strategic direction.

Strategic Plan

Texas State University created the 2017-2023 University Plan building on the many successes of the 2012-2017 University Plan. Over the course of the past five years, Texas State has added numerous academic programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. In addition, we have vastly improved our undergraduate retention and graduation rates, established and implemented an Honors College and the University PACE Center, and achieved national Tier I Research University status, among many other successes.

As we developed this new plan, we were guided by the fundamental principle that our students must be the primary beneficiaries of the university goals we define, as well as the initiatives supporting those goals. Within this framework, we sought to balance a complex variety of goals that address not only student success while at Texas State, but success after graduation. Goals also include promoting academic quality through new academic and educational programs; achieving significant progress in advancing our research and creative activities; and providing the necessary services, resources, and infrastructure needed to successfully move us forward.

At the core of the University Plan is the Academic Plan, which identifies a number of initiatives we will pursue and actions we will take to accomplish these goals. The academic plan emphasizes Texas State’s intention to become a National Research University by enhancing and expanding our graduate education programs, as well as increasing student research, creative, and innovation opportunities. The university will have to continue to increase our restricted research expenditures to at least $45 million annually for two consecutive years, and meet at least four of the following six other measures of excellence:

  1. Endowment equal to or greater than $400 million.
  2. Total PhDs awarded equal to or greater than 200 in each of the previous two years.
  3. High achievement of freshmen classes for two years as determined by the THECB and a commitment to improving the participation and success of underrepresented students.
  4. Institutional recognition of research capabilities and scholarly attainment (e.g., Association of Research Libraries membership or a Phi Beta Kappa chapter of the honor society on campus).
  5. High-quality faculty for two years (e.g., national academy members or Nobel Prize recipients; other national or international distinction for a minimum of 7 faculty).
  6. High-quality graduate-level programs and competitive doctoral programs, including doctoral assistant stipend.

We recognize that while this plan will primarily serve as a guide for action, we will continue to scan the environment and make adjustments when necessary. The goal of this plan is to provide a template to help establish priorities for the future but not to restrict us from seizing opportunities or responding to external challenges and threats as they arise. It is intentionally perceived as a living plan that can and should be adjusted throughout the years.

As with previous plans, we will conduct a formal review of the University Plan every three years through revisiting division, college, and department plans to determine what possible new initiatives may be included in the University Plan. During this time departments, schools, colleges, and divisions will have the opportunity to reprioritize and add or delete goals and related initiatives to better address changing needs.

For a detailed look at the strategic plan, visit the website at http://universityplan2023.avpie.txstate.edu/

Denise M. Trauth, President

Denise M. Trauth became president of Texas State University in 2002.

Before joining Texas State, Dr. Trauth was provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in English at the College of Mount St. Joseph, a master’s degree in journalism at The Ohio State University, and a PhD in mass communications at The University of Iowa.

She is married to Dr. John Huffman, professor emeritus at Bowling Green State University and UNC Charlotte. They have two daughters, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Under Dr. Trauth’s leadership, the university has experienced its largest construction program since being founded in 1899, became a federal Hispanic-Serving Institution was designated a Texas Emerging Research University, has been reclassified as an “R2: Doctoral University – Higher Research Activity” under the Carnegie Classification system, and moved to the FBS subdivision of NCAA Division I.

Dr. Trauth currently is the President of the Greater San Marcos Partnership and is a member and former president of the Austin Area Research Organization. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Southwest Research Institute, is a member of the Philosophical Society of Texas, and currently serves as the immediate Past President of the Sun Belt Conference Board of Directors. She also serves on the NCAA Board of Governors and is the NCAA Division I Board of Directors vice chair.

Dr. Trauth has served on the American Council on Education’s Commission on Women in Higher Education and serves as the presidential sponsor of that organization’s Texas Network for Texas Women in Higher Education.

Hiring Authority: Eric Algoe, Vice President for Finance and Support Services

Eric Algoe was appointed Vice President for Finance and Support Services at Texas State University in September 2015 where he oversees all of the financial, physical, and human resources of the one of the largest and most vibrant universities in the nation.

Mr. Algoe formerly served as Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration at Florida State University and as Vice President for Finance and Administration at Ohio Wesleyan University where he left a positive mark during his term in leadership at one of the nation’s premier private universities and one of the top public research universities in the world.

His career has focused on public service and mission-driven non-profits, including 14 years of service as a military intelligence and civil affairs officer in the United States Army and Army Reserve.

Mr. Algoe holds a master’s degree in business administration, and a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University, where he later earned the Certified Public Manager designation at The John Glenn School of Public Affairs.

The Student Body

Students

  • 38,694 total students in fall 2017 (34,206 undergraduate; 551 post-baccalaureate; 3,447 master’s; 490 doctoral)
  • 1,661 total students at the RRC
  • Nearly 7,000 live on campus
  • More than 27,000 students receive financial aid

By Gender

  • 58 percent female
  • 42 percent male

By Ethnicity

  • 47 percent White
  • 36 percent Hispanic
  • 11 percent African-American
  • 5 percent Other
  • 52 percent of Texas State students are minorities

Graduation/Retention Rates

  • 54 percent graduated within six years (by summer 2017)
  • 78 percent of fall 2016 freshmen returned in fall 2017

The Academic Program

Faculty and Staff

  • more than 1,300 full-time faculty
  • more than 2,000 full-time staff

Class Size

  • 23 is median undergraduate class size

Degree Programs

  • 97 bachelor’s
  • 92 master’s
  • 14 doctoral

Areas of study available at Texas State

  • Agriculture and Food Science
  • Business and Administration
  • Communication
  • Health Professions and Human Services
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
  • Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts

Students have endless options to make their educational experience at Texas State one-of-a-kind. They can choose to incorporate undergraduate research, study abroad or Honors College courses into their degree plan.

Colleges at Texas State are

  • College of Applied Arts
  • Honors College
  • McCoy College of Business Administration
  • College of Liberal Arts
  • College of Education
  • College of Science and Engineering
  • College of Fine Arts and Communication
  • University College
  • College of Health Professions
  • Graduate College

Benefits Overview

As contributors to the success of Texas State all eligible staff are provided with the benefits that include the following:

  • Group Insurance
  • Paid leave time
  • Longevity Pay
  • Fee Reimbursement for Academic Courses
  • Retirement Plan
  • Supplemental Retirement Savings
  • Wellness Program
  • Work Life and Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Discount Program
  • Mother-friendly Worksite

For details about the benefits at Texas State University, visit the website at https://digital.hr.txstate.edu/benefits-overview/

Application & Nomination

Review of applications will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position please click on the Apply button, complete the brief application process, and upload your resume and position-specific cover letter. Confidential inquiries and nominations for this position may be emailed to J. Scott Derrick jsd@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895.

Visit the Texas State University website at http://www.txstate.edu/

For more information regarding the University Police Department:
http://www.police.txstate.edu/

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY: Texas State University, to the extent not in conflict with federal or state law, prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

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