From Blinn College:
The Blinn College District has named Christopher Marrs, a 23-year U.S. Navy veteran, its new Executive Dean of the RELLIS Campus.
Marrs previously served as Executive Officer for the Texas A&M Naval ROTC and Senior U.S. Navy Officer and Associate Professor of Naval Science at Texas A&M University, where he was responsible for the education, training, and professional development of more than 600 students each year. As Executive Officer, he managed all aspects of the largest of 76 Naval ROTC units in the United States and was direct supervisor for a staff of 14 military and civilian employees.
As the Senior U.S. Navy Officer and Associate Professor of Naval Science at Texas A&M University, Marrs was responsible for curriculum development of three naval science courses, and oversaw eight naval science course instructors. He also served as a U.S. Navy flight instructor for undergraduate student naval aviators, and maintained responsibility for data analysis of student graduation and attrition rates, oversaw continuous realignment of material and operational requirements to enhance flight curriculum process efficiencies, and maximized student learning in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
“Throughout Mr. Marrs’ distinguished military career, he has demonstrated exceptional operational planning, team-building, program management, process improvement, and student education and training skills,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “His leadership and expertise will help us provide students an educational experience at the RELLIS Campus that is unlike any other program in the nation.”
Marrs’ career includes service as a Division Chief at U.S. Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, as a Liaison Officer to U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, and as an Aviation Department Head and aviator in an F/A-18F Super Hornet strike-fighter squadron at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Atsugi, Japan.
During his military career, Marrs provided classroom and practical instruction to undergraduate university ROTC students and military professionals, including classroom, simulator, and in-flight instruction for more than 300 multi-service student military aviators and Naval Science courses to 464 Naval ROTC students.
Marrs earned his Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Texas A&M University, is a graduate of the Navy’s Aviation Safety Officer School and the U.S. Air Force Air Command & Staff College Joint Professional Military Education Phase I, and earned his Master of Science in aviation safety from the University of Central Missouri.
“I am honored to continue my mission to serve, and thrilled to join Blinn College for this groundbreaking opportunity that will bring additional educational opportunities to the Brazos Valley,” Marrs said.
Marrs’ start date will be Monday, April 2.
In Fall 2018, Blinn will expand to its academic facility at The Texas A&M University System RELLIS Campus to allow Blinn students to complete their four-year degrees from Texas A&M System regional universities onsite. Each program at the RELLIS Academic Alliance creates a seamless pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s degree in related fields from an A&M System University, including Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-International, West Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and Texas A&M University-Central Texas. For more information, visit https://RELLIS.TAMUS.EDU/AcademicAlliance.