Texas A&M University-Commerce has seen several changes in the past year including the new Sam Rayburn Memorial Student Center, the new Alumni Center, as well as the beginning construction on the new Music Building; however, a not-so-visible but prominent addition to our campus has been added recently as well. A&M-Commerce now has a new provost and vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Larry F. Lemanski.
Lemanski is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Arizona State University and the University of Pennsylvania, and has been involved in research administration for over 10 years. Lemanski also has work experience at 10 higher education institutions from New York to California, including Texas A&M University at College Station.
“There are many reasons I was interested in pursuing the provost position at A&M-Commerce,” Lemanski said. “I could be involved not only with research and graduate studies administration, but also with administration that had a major emphasis in undergraduate education. The provost A&M-Commerce position had the perfect combination of responsibilities in all of those areas.”
Lemanski is no stranger to the world of higher education. Dr. Dan Jones, president of A&M-Commerce, said that Lemanski had a strong presence as one of the four finalists in competition for the role of provost.
“Dr. Lemanski is a great teacher, and at home in a regional university setting,” Jones said. “The search for the provost was an international search, and Dr. Lemanski was selected for his background in education and the research strides he has made.”
According to Dr. Mary Hendrix, the vice-president for student access and success, the provost position has been filled with interim appointments since 2006.
“The selection process began last fall, and Dr. Lemanski was selected in the spring,” Hendrix said.
Hendrix herself held the position of interim provost and vice-president for academic affairs and student success last year. Hendrix will now be working with the provost to “develop partnerships and to address student enrollment, retention, and graduation issues.”
Lemanski and Hendrix have several goals for this year and the following years at A&M-Commerce.
“Among a number of other goals, we certainly hope to expand the research, scholarly and creature activities at the university by increasing funding from a variety of sources outside of the university,” Lemanski said.
Along with increasing research opportunities for graduate and postdoctoral students, Lemanski has bigger plans for all the students of A&M-Commerce. He hopes to expand globalization of the university with more exchange programs hosting more international students.
Lemanski’s most important goal is the goal that motivated him to apply for the provost position: he wants to connect with the students of A&M-Commerce.
“I am anxious to get to know and interact with students at all levels from beginning freshmen to doctoral level candidates and postdoctoral fellows,” Lemanski said. “In fact, I would like to have the opportunity to meet with various student groups in an open forum atmosphere to discuss the various questions or comments that students may have with respect to academic affairs and related issues.”