Dr. Richard Rhodes has been named president of Texas A&M University-Central Texas, following a formal vote of the Texas A&M University Board of Regents at the regularly scheduled meeting in College Station.
Rhodes has been serving as interim president since October 2023, following his retirement as chancellor of the Austin Community College District in September. As interim of A&M–Central Texas, Rhodes embraced the university’s unique purpose, often praising its undergraduate transfer mission and graduate programs while looking toward the future.
“Dr. Rhodes is a proven and effective leader whose service as interim president of A&M–Central Texas has received rave reviews from both the campus and the community,” said John Sharp, chancellor of The Texas A&M University System. “He’s exactly the right person to build on the proud achievements of the past 15 years and take this regional university into its future.”
Celebrating its 15-year anniversary this May, A&M–Central Texas has graduated 10,489 undergraduate and graduate students in business, cybersecurity, computer information systems, counseling, education, liberal arts, nursing, science, social work, and technology, significantly impacting the talent pipeline for the county, region, state, and nation. The university currently offers 30 undergraduate and 19 graduate degree programs, many of which are offered online, as well as flexible learning formats.
With an eye to the future, Rhodes has already begun significant initiatives during his tenure as interim focusing on strategic planning, new undergraduate and graduate degree programs, continued enrollment growth, and collaboration and innovation with regional business and industry leaders and ongoing transformation.
“When we look at our students and our alumni, we see the reflection of a Warrior spirit in each and every one,” Rhodes noted. “Individually and collectively, they embraced the opportunity to earn their degree, and because of their motivation – combined with the extraordinary support of our staff and faculty – they are thriving in their chosen careers.”
Prior to his time at ACC, Rhodes served as president of El Paso Community College and vice president of business services at Salt Lake Community College. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from New Mexico State University and a doctorate from the University of Texas.
