New administrators are on the job at the Texas A&M University System office and Blinn College. Moving from the panhandle to College Station is the A&M System’s new vice chancellor for academic affairs. James Hallmark had been at West Texas A&M for 20 years, the last four as a vice-president. And Blinn College announced the return of Dennis Crowson, this time as vice president of student services. Crowson previously served as Blinn’s registrar.
Information & photo of James Hallmark courtesy of the Texas A&M University System:
Dr. James Hallmark was recommended to the chancellor by a 10-member search committee comprised of faculty and administrators from throughout the A&M System to fill the vacant position.
As vice chancellor for academic affairs, Hallmark will work on behalf of the chancellor to provide leadership and direction in academic and student affairs. His duties include overseeing the academic program development process for A&M System members from inception to approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and working to develop quality measures for success; providing systemwide leadership on the development of comprehensive distance education initiatives to improve the efficiency of course development and delivery; and working with the lead institutions on strategic planning for the development and expansion of existing branch campuses and A&M System centers.
Hallmark was provost/vice president for academic affairs at West Texas A&M University, a position he held since 2008. As provost/vice president, Hallmark was responsible for WTAMU’s academic programs as well as the Graduate School and Research, continuing education, Cornette Library and institutional planning and analysis.
Hallmark joined the WTAMU faculty in 1991, and served as dean of the university’s Graduate School and Research, and director of the Attebury Honors Program. He also held several leadership positions at the university including president of the Faculty Senate, special assistant to the provost, and a Fellow with the Center for Leadership in Higher Education. He served as chair of various university committees and is active with many community groups and organizations.
Hallmark received his bachelor’s degree in speech and American studies from Oklahoma Christian College and earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Oklahoma.
Hallmark began work March 1. Until the Board of Regents takes action on the appointment at their next meeting, his official title is acting Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.
Information & photo of Dennis Crowson courtesy of Blinn College:
Dr. Dennis Crowson was appointed to serve as vice president for student services by the Blinn College Board of Trustees during its regular meeting February 21. He began work February 27.
Enrollment Management, Financial Aid, Student Activities, Disability Services and a number of other departments will report to Crowson, who previously served at Blinn for 20 years.
Crowson was the College’s registrar from 1997-2008, but most recently served as the associate director of enterprise information systems for Texas A&M University.
Crowson earned his associate’s degree at Blinn in 1985. Crowson holds a Bachelor’s of Engineering Science from the University of Texas (1985), a Master’s of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University (1995) and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska (2005).
Crowson left Blinn in 2008 to become a technical consultant for SunGard Higher Education, where he consulted for American universities such as Dartmouth and Notre Dame and institutions as far away as Hong Kong and Australia.
In January 2011, Crowson began working for Texas A&M. He has also been an adjunct professor for Sam Houston State since 2009, teaching courses in community college issues, higher education issues and information technology in higher education.