Courtesy of Texas A&M University:
COLLEGE STATION, April 29, 2016 – Douglas J. Palmer, formerly dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University, has been named interim vice president of Texas A&M University and COO of Texas A&M University at Galveston, effective June 1.
Palmer, currently professor of educational psychology and educational administration and human resource development — higher education program, will serve in the interim capacity at the marine-oriented branch campus while a search is conducted for a permanent vice president and COO to succeed retiring Rear Admiral Robert Smith III (USN) Ret.
Smith announced his intention to not seek another term and to retire earlier this year. He was honored for his service at The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Wednesday with passage of a formal resolution next week.
Palmer’s appointment was announced by Provost and Executive Vice President Karan Watson, who stated: “I have the utmost confidence in Dr. Palmer’s ability to provide strategic leadership and oversee key processes for the Galveston campus while we conduct the search for a permanent vice president and COO.”
She said that Palmer, as interim vice president and COO at the Galveston campus, will be responsible for its administration and management of the academic, research and public service programs.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with a talented group of faculty, students, staff and administrators at Texas A&M-Galveston,” Palmer said. “While the appointment is interim, in nature, I will actively work with the campus community to pursue opportunities and, if needed, to address challenges”
The branch campus offers ocean-oriented undergraduate and graduate courses in business, oceanographic/physical and biological sciences, engineering and transportation. In addition to its academic programs, the campus houses the Texas A&M Maritime Academy, which offers training programs leading to officer licensing in the U.S. Merchant Marine.
Palmer, who joined the Texas A&M faculty in 1977, has held a number of leadership positions in the College of Education and Human Development prior to being named dean. As a dean, he served a term as convener of the Council of Deans. He is currently the project director for the Qatar Foundation Mathematics Education Professional Development Contract and a member of the Board of Supreme Education Council of the State of Qatar.
He has been a visiting research scholar at the College of Education, Qatar University, and a visiting scholar at the School of Education, University of California, Davis. Over his career, Palmer has directed more than $20 million in grants and contracts from federal, state and other agencies, including recent projects funded by the State of Qatar. He earned his B.A. from California State University at Los Angeles and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles.
COLLEGE STATION, April 29, 2016 — The new dean and chief operating officer (COO) at Texas A&M University at Qatar is Dr. César O. Malavé, professor and holder of the Sugar and Mike Barnes Department Head Chair in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Texas A&M University. His appointment is effective July 1.
Malavé’s selection was formally approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents and Chancellor John Sharp upon the recommendation of Texas A&M President Michael K. Young and Provost and Executive Vice President Karan Watson. Malavé’s appointment also was recommended by a search advisory committee.
“Dr. Malavé brings extensive administrative and academic experience to the position,” President Young said, “and that will serve him and the university well in working with the faculty and students at our Qatar campus, as well as with his counterparts at the other American institutions there and with Qatar Foundation officials.”
In making her recommendation, Provost Karan Watson stated, “I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Malavé for over 30 years, he is internationally recognized for his contributions to manufacture engineering and engineering education, has a passion for his students and our unique Aggie spirit. I can think of no better choice for this position as we continue our commitment to a full Texas A&M University experience for our students in Qatar.”
After his selection was confirmed, Malavé stated: “The Texas A&M University at Qatar program is very important to Texas A&M University and the State of Qatar and I am honored to have been selected to serve in this capacity. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the faculty and staff as they continue to educate world-class engineers and conduct impactful research.”
He will succeed Dr. Mark H. Weichold, who stepped down as dean and CEO to become executive director for the Halliburton Global Engineering Program in Texas A&M’s College of Engineering. Dr. Ann L. Kenimer has served as interim dean since Dr. Weichold’s term ended.
Malavé will be responsible for the administration and management of the academic, research and public service programs of the institution, as well as for providing vision and direction for the engineering-oriented branch campus in Qatar. It offers bachelor of science degrees in petroleum, chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering, and a master of science and a master of engineering degree in chemical engineering.
Internationally recognized for his contributions to engineering education, Malavé brings more than 30 years of service to Texas A&M University to his new role. Under his leadership the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering has recruited new faculty at both the junior and senior level, developed a new advanced manufacturing initiative, and launched major initiatives to revitalize the undergraduate curriculum and graduate program. In addition, as lead principal investigator for Texas A&M’s participation in a 10-year National Science Foundation funded Foundation Coalition Grant to revamp engineering education, Malavé coordinated all activities related to curricula development, implementation, and outcomes assessment across partner institutions, and disseminated the resulting educational model through workshops in the USA and abroad.
Before his appointment as department head, Malavé served in a variety of administrative positions in the College of Engineering. These included assistant dean for international programs, assistant and associate director of TEES, and associate dean for recruitment and international programs. In this latter role he was responsible for all international collaborations and undergraduate recruitment programs.
He is a registered professional engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering, earning his BS in chemical engineering and his MS in Operations Research from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of South Florida.