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New A&M-Commerce President<BR>gets the lay of the land

By Bill Oliver

Commerce, TX –

Stay tuned to KETR on-air at 88.9 FM and online to hear comments from Dr. Dan Jones, the new President at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

KETR recorded five forums where Dr. Jones spoke to faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, community members, and others interested in the university.


Below is Dr. Jones' vitae, courtesy of the Chairman of the Presidential Search Committee, Dr. Dave Crenshaw:

Curriculum Vitae of
Dan R. Jones
Division of Academic Affairs
Texas A&M International University

Education

Ph.D., American Studies, University of Iowa, 1984 Major areas: American literature, 1865-present; mass communication; popular culture

M.A., American Studies, University of Iowa, 1982

M.A., English, Rice University, 1978 Major area: modern American literature

B.A., English, highest honors and special honors in English, University of Texas at Austin, 1975

B.J., Magazine Journalism, highest honors, University of Texas at Austin, 1975

Academic and Administrative Appointments

January 2003 - present:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Chief Student Affairs Officer Professor of English Texas A&M International University Laredo, Texas

April 1997 - December 2002:
Dean (2000), Interim Dean, University College University of Houston-Downtown August 2001 - September 2002: Interim Dean of Student Affairs (concurrently serving as Dean of University College) University of Houston-Downtown

August 1992 - March 1997:
Associate Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Houston-Downtown

June - August 1996:
Acting Chair, Department of English, University of Houston-Downtown

February - May 1995:
Acting Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Houston-Downtown

August 1986 - August 1987:
Assistant Chair, Department of English University of Houston-Downtown

August 1985 - December 2002:
Assistant, Associate (1989) Professor of English, Student Publications Advisor (1986-1992) University of Houston-Downtown

August 1982 - July 1985:
Instructor and student publications advisor, Casper College, Casper, Wyoming

August 1978 - May 1982:
Teaching assistant, English and American Studies, The University of Iowa

August 1976 - May 1978:
Teaching and research assistant, Rice University

Professional Achievements

Texas A&M International University:

Established the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, providing resources and consulting support to faculty in assessment, pedagogy, and instructional technology (implementation Spring 2008)

Provided academic leadership in the design and implementation of the TAMIU Laredo Independent School District Early College High School.

Established the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, resulting in a 55 percent increase in the level of funded research in the first year.

Increased collaborative activity between TAMIU and Laredo Community College, including the development of a joint admissions program.

Managed implementation of a sponsored research initiative designed to increase funded research activity while linking research productivity to workload.

Established the Office of International Programs, combining the International Language Institute, Study Abroad Programs, and International Student Services into an integrated unit headed by an associate vice president. The new structure resulted in increased international partnerships, growth of faculty and student exchanges, and establishment of partnerships with universities in China, Taiwan, the Middle East, Mexico, and Brazil.

Established the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning, providing integrated and comprehensive data reporting and analysis linked to strategic planning and budgeting.

Managed major reorganization of academic colleges, departments, and support areas, including consolidation of distance education and computing services into an integrated technology services area.

Oversaw merger of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs and assumed leadership of the expanded administrative unit.

Oversaw development and approval of new undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Coordinated reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, including the development of the Quality Enhancement Plan, resulting in reaffirmation with no recommendations.

Negotiated with the Faculty Senate to reform the post-tenure review process and other policy matters relating to shared governance.

Expanded distance education courses and programs.

Responsible for academic and student service design and programming of numerous facilities and construction projects, including a Kinesiology, Wellness, and Recreation Center and Student Success Center.

The University of Houston-Downtown:

Established a university-wide general advising office within University College.

Established an advising center within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Participated in architectural program design of new student recreation center and extensive renovation of student services area.

Served as Faculty Senate President.

Chaired Chancellor's Faculty Advisory Council for the University of Houston System.

Professional Development and Related Activities

Harvard Institute for Educational Education, July 21-August 4, 2006

Governor's Executive Development Program, Austin, Texas, Class XXI, 2003- 2004

Editorial consultant to more than 200 non-profit organizations engaged in philanthropic initiatives, 1992-2002. Composed and edited case statements, feasibility studies, promotional pieces, and related materials.

Multiple trips to China, Middle East, and Latin America to develop partnerships, conduct seminars, and assess market demand for academic programs.

Consultant to the Texas International Education Consortium for the design and implementation of an Academic Bridge Program in Doha, Qatar, 2001. Coordinated project committees and advised teams on issues related to academic preparation and student success.

Traveling Workshop, June-July 1989, Federal Republic of Germany. Toured media establishments and universities throughout Germany, attending and conducting seminars and workshops. One of ten scholars of journalism education and mass communication from throughout the United States selected to participate. Sponsored by the Herbert Quandt Foundation of Munich.

Professional and Community Service

External Evaluator, Department of Language and Communication, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana, October 2007

Co-Chair, Council for Educational Excellence, Laredo, Texas. Charged with implementing a regional P-16 initiative and designing a strategic plan for education in Laredo

Member, President's Advisory Council, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Laredo Extension Campus

Member, Laredo Educational Systems Coalition

Member, Logistics and Manufacturing Association, Laredo, Texas

Member, Laredo Gateway Rotary Club, 2004-present: Chair, Vocational Avenue, 2005-2006

Board of Directors, United Day School, 2004-present (President, 2007-2008)

Advisory board, Project MEND (Medical Equipment Network for the Disabled), San Antonio, Texas

Board of Directors, Laredo Chamber of Commerce, 2004-2005, 2006-2009

Steering Committee, Greater North Houston Chamber of Commerce, Houston, Texas. 1999-2002.

Board of Directors, Northside Redevelopment Center, Houston, Texas, 1999 2002.

Editorial board, The Journal of Popular Culture

Area chair, non-fiction writing, Popular Culture Association

Secretary (2006), Chair (2007), Association of Departments of English and Foreign Languages, South Central Modern Language Association

Invited presenter on issues related to faculty success, promotion, and tenure, Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association and South Central Modern Language Association

Board of Directors, Texas Association of Deans of Liberal Arts and Science, 2001-2002

Participation and Success Task Force, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. A component of the legislative review of the Texas Master Plan for Higher Education, 1999-2000

Developmental Education Pilot Funding Project, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 1999-2000

Visiting committee of the Southern Association for Colleges and Schools, Austin High School accreditation study, Houston, Texas, April 1987

American coordinator, German student exchange program, 1988 - 1997. Worked with the Niedersachsische Landeszentrale fur Politische Bildung in Hannover, Germany, to identify host families and arrange activities for German journalism exchange students from the state of Lower Saxony.

Contributor, Delphian Seminar Series, Houston, Texas

Judge, University Interscholastic League High School Journalism Competition and History Fair, Houston, Texas, 1986-1993

Academic Honors and Awards

Phi Delta Kappa charter member, Texas A&M International University, 2007

Phi Kappa Phi charter member, Texas A&M International University, 2005

Phi Kappa Phi charter member, University of Houston-Downtown, 1995

Service Excellence Award, University of Houston-Downtown, 1991

Student Government Association Outstanding Faculty Member for 1988 Award, University of Houston-Downtown, 1988

Ph.D. comprehensive examinations passed with distinction: the University of Iowa, May 1981

Graduate fellowship: Rice University, 1976-1978

Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Dean's List, English Honors Program: The University of Texas at Austin, 1973-1975

Memberships

American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American Studies Association
American Studies Association of Texas
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
Far West Popular Culture Association
Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association
South Central Modern Language Association
Texas Council of Chief Academic Officers
Phi Beta Kappa
Phi Delta Kappa
Phi Kappa Phi
Popular Culture Association
Texas International Education Consortium

Publications

"Internationalizing Higher Education." Delta Vision, the Magazine of Delta University. Mansoura, Arab Republic of Egypt: Delta University, 2007.

"The Non-Fiction of Truman Capote: A Reconsideration." Storytelling: A Critical Journal of Popular Narrative. Volume 5, no. 2 (Winter 2006), 143-150.

"O. J. Simpson." Entry in the Encyclopedia of Sport in American Culture, Joyce Duncan, ed. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO Books, 2004.

The Encyclopedia of Popular Culture of the United States. Advisory editor for Non-Fiction Writing. Bowling Green, KY: The Popular Press, 2001.

"John Hersey." In American Literary Journalists, 1945-1995, Art Kaul, ed. Washington, D.C.: Bruccoli Clark Layman, 1997.

"John Hersey." In A Sourcebook of Literary Journalism, Thomas Connery, ed. Westport, Conn.: Greenway Press, 1992. "Madness, Mayhem, and Mystery: The Story of Murder in Texas." Journal of the American Studies Association of Texas, October 1992.

"The Fiction of Fact: Journalism as American Art." Journal of the American Studies Association of Texas, October 1988.

"Communication and Progress in the Philosophy of John Dewey." Co-winner of the graduate student essay competition of the Qualitative Studies Division of the Association for Education in Journalism, 1981; presented at AEJ convention, East Lansing, Michigan, August 1981; abstracted in Resources in Education, November 1981; ERIC Clearinghouse, 1982.

Revisions to Popular Culture and Mass Communication. University of Iowa: Center for Credit Programs, 1981.

"Sigmund Freud and George Herbert Mead: A Comparative Study of Psychoanalysis and Social Behaviorism." The Journal of Communication Inquiry, Winter 1980.

Presentations

"Insurgents, Imams, and IEDs: The Uncertain Language of Iraqi War Journalism." Accepted for presentation, Far West Popular Culture Association, January 25-26, 2008, Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Access, Opportunity, and Excellence: The Role of Higher Education in National Development." ICI-7 Conference, November 12-14, 2007, Delta Academy of Science, Mansoura, Arab Republic of Egypt.

"Supporting Research in the Humanities." South Central Modern Language Association, November 1-3, 2007, Memphis, Tennessee.

"Higher Education and National Character." Democratic Pacific Union, August 12-16, 2007, Taipei, Taiwan.

"The Uses of Factuality in the Novels of Ian McEwan." Popular Culture Association, April 4-7, 2007, Boston, Massachusetts.

"Six Degrees of Osama bin Laden." Far West Popular Culture Association, January 26-27, 2007, Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Autobiographical Impulses in In Cold Blood." Popular Culture Association, April 15-18, 2006, Atlanta, Georgia.

"The Imperfect Storm: Media Responses to Hurricane Katrina." Far West Popular Culture Association, January 26-28, 2006, Las Vegas, Nevada.

"When Cultures Collide: The Struggle for Architectural Dominance in Downtown Houston."

South Central Modern Language Association, October 27-29, 2005, Houston, Texas.

"Administrative Issues in Promotion and Tenure." Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association, October 20-22, 2005, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

"The Non-Fiction of Truman Capote: Yet Another Reconsideration." Popular Culture Association, April 13-26, 2005, San Diego, California.

"A Journalistically Impossible Act: How the Press Reported Dick Cheney's Use of the "F" Word." Far West Popular Culture Association, February 4-6, 2005, Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Workshop on Promotion and Tenure in the Humanities." Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association, September 30-October 2, 2004, Boulder, Colorado.

"Codes and Ciphers: The Pursuit vs. the Concealment of Knowledge." Popular Culture Association, April 7-10, 2004, San Antonio, Texas.

"Sports, NAFTA, and Border Culture: Professional Hockey Comes to South Texas." Far West Popular Association, February 5-7, 2004, Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Anatomies of Madness: Non-Fiction Narratives of Insanity and Mental Illness." Popular Culture Association, April 16-19, 2003, New Orleans, Louisiana.

"Giving Terror a Title." Popular Culture Association, March 13-16, 2002, Toronto, Ontario.

"Tales of Terror: Urban Legends Surrounding September 11." Far West Popular Culture Association, February 1-3, 2002, Las Vegas, Nevada.

" Educating the World: The Census and the Reshaping of American Higher Education." Fifth Congress of the Americas, October 17-20, 2001, Puebla, Mexico.

"What Makes a Storm Perfect?" Non-Fiction Accounts of Weather Disasters. Popular Culture Association, April 11-14, 2001, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

"Have Diversity, Will Assimilate: Portrayals of Ethnicity in the Television Western." Far West Popular Culture Association, February 2-4, 2001, Las Vegas, Nevada.

"A Web Page of One's Own: The Autobiographical Impulse in Cyberspace." Popular Culture Association, April 19-22, 2000, New Orleans, Louisiana.

"Whose Common Good? Diversity and the Transformation of American Philanthropy." Far West Popular Culture Association, February 4-6, 2000, Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Spanish Borrowings in English." With Michael R. Dressman. South Central Modern Language Association, October 28-30, 1999, Memphis, Tennessee.

" 'My New Life in Old Mexico': Crossing the Border in American Popular Narrative." Fourth Congress of the Americas, September 29-October 2, 1999, Puebla, Mexico.

" 'Tonight, Bob Will Tell His Story': Personal Narrative and the Twelve-Step Tradition." Far West Popular Culture Association, February 5-7, 1999, Las Vegas, Nevada.

" 'After All the Good We've Done': Understanding the Language of Philanthropy." Popular Culture Association, April 8-11, 1998, Orlando, Florida.

"Images of Mexico and Mexicans in 'Have Gun, Will Travel.' " Third Congress of the Americas, March 18-21, 1998, Puebla, Mexico.

"Roadsigns to Diversity: Cross-Cultural Advertising in a Changing Urban Environment. "Far West Popular Culture Association, February 6-8, 1998, Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Advertisements for Ourselves: Tex-Mex Billboards and Tejano Identity." South Atlantic Modern Language Association, Atlanta, Georgia, November 13-15, 1997.

"Proud to be 'Puro Tejano': Culture, Identity, and the Public Display of Language." South Central Modern Language Association, October 30-November 1, 1997, Dallas, Texas.

"Passing on the Right: How 'Liberal' Became the Dirty Word of American Politics." Popular Culture Association, March 26-29, 1997, San Antonio, Texas.

" 'Be a Tejano Bud Girl': Targeting Houston's Hispanic Consumer." Second Congress of the Americas, February 27-March 1, 1997, Puebla, Mexico.

"America's New Cold War: Battling Biology's Evil Empire." Far West Popular Association, January 31-February 2, 1997, Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Apocalypse Then: the Day the Bomb Turned 50." Popular Culture Association, March 25-28, 1996, Las Vegas, Nevada. "Have Ray Gun, Will Time Travel: Paladin as Western Fantasy Hero." Far West Popular Association, February 2-4, 1996, Las Vegas Nevada.

"Paddling Toward the Present: John Graves' Goodbye to a River." South Atlantic Modern Language Association, November 3-5, 1995, Atlanta, Georgia.

" Woodstock Then and Now: The Untold Story." Popular Culture Association, April 12-15, 1995, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

"O.J. and the Press: Tabloid Trash or Mass Legal Education?" Far West Popular Culture Association, February 3-5, 1995, Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Politics, Gender, and the Press: Women Political Columnists in Texas." Popular Culture Association, April 6-9, 1994, Chicago, Illinois.

"Reporting Through the Apocalypse: David Koresh and the Journalistic Uses of Belief." Far West Popular Culture Association, February 4-6, 1994, Las Vegas, Nevada.

"In Search of Objectivity: The Literary Journalism of John Hersey." Popular Culture Association, April 7-11, 1993.

"Gennifer with a 'G': Bill Clinton's Near-Death Experience." Far West Popular Culture Association, January 21-23, 1993, Las Vegas, Nevada.

"The Aesthetics of Non-Fiction Narrative." Popular Culture Association, March 18-21, 1992, Louisville, Kentucky.

"The Rhetoric of Race and Sex: The Media Response to the Clarence Thomas Nomination." Far West Popular Culture Association, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 6-9, 1992.

"The Houston Ice House: Convenience and Community." Popular Culture Association, San Antonio, Texas, March 27-30, 1991.

"Using Desktop Publishing for Student Publications." UH-Downtown Computer Services Department Technical Fair, January 1991.

"Murder in Texas: Nonfiction Narrative Approaches." Far West Popular Culture Association, Las Vegas, Nevada, January 1991.

"Teaching Journalism as Literary Form." Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Minneapolis, Minnesota, August 1990.

"Sex, Politics, and Journalism: Making the News that Fits." Popular Culture Association, Toronto, Canada, March 1990.

"Computing Across the Curriculum: Desktop Publishing." Fourth Annual Spring Conference on General Education, UH-Downtown, April 1989.

"All the News that Fits: Sex Crimes and Journalism." Popular Culture Association, St. Louis, Missouri, April 1989.

"Advisors' Roundtable: The Professional Writing Alternative. " Workshops presented at the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Press Association conference, Flagstaff, Arizona, March 1989.

"In Search of Pattern: America Learns of Chernobyl." Southwest Education Council for Journalism and Mass Communication conference, Abilene, Texas, October 1988. Paper was awarded a certificate of merit.

"Journalists in Training and Opportunities for Exchange: A Prototype for Intercultural Understanding." Transatlantic Forum '88: Perspectives on International Communications. The Annenberg School of Communications, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 1988.

"Filling the Void: Journalistic Responses to Chernobyl." Popular Culture Association, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 1988.

"Advisors' Roundtable." Workshop presented the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Press Association conference, Gunnison, Colorado, March 1988.

"Journalism as American Art.' American Studies Association of Texas, Marshall, Texas, November 1987; UH-Downtown Humanities Seminar, November 1987.

"The Fiction of Fact: Narrative Account and Actual Event." Popular Culture Association, Montreal, Quebec, March 1987.

"The Hybrid Rose: Bob Wills' Texas Legacy." American Studies Association of Texas, Waco, Texas, November 1986.

"The Rhetoric of Vision: Folksongs of the I.W.W. " Midcontinent American Studies Association, Lawrence, Kansas, April 1982.

"The Dynamics of Past and Present: Wallace Stegner's Proving Ground for History." Midcontinent American Studies Association, Omaha, Nebraska, April 1981.