A message from President Banks
M. Katherine BanksPresident
January 21, 2022
Texas A&M University Community:
In my response to the MGT report recommendations, I announced the creation of a Vice President for Faculty Affairs position with a selection committee of Interim Provost Tim Scott, Vice Presidents Greg Hartman and Jack Baldauf, Faculty Senate Speaker Dale Rice and me. Over the last few weeks, five applications were submitted from candidates interested in this new role. Three candidates were interviewed by the selection committee. I am pleased to announce that the committee unanimously selected Professor N.K. Anand as the inaugural Vice President for Faculty Affairs, effective Feb 1.
Dr. Anand has served Texas A&M since 1985, when he joined as an assistant professor in mechanical engineering. Over the past 36 years, Dr. Anand has consistently risen up through the leadership ranks. He is a Regents Professor and holder of the James J. Cain '51 Professor III Endowed Chair and has served as graduate program director, associate and interim department head, as well as assistant and associate dean for graduate programs, associate dean for research, acting vice chancellor, and interim dean and acting director for the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station. Dr. Anand's experience with faculty affairs, including faculty hiring and retention, tenure and promotion, appointment of endowed faculty positions, budget, built environment, strategic planning and fundraising, gives him tremendous insight into all areas impacting our faculty members.
From Dr. Anand's application letter: "I will pursue and promote excellence in creation, dissemination, and instruction of new knowledge, through faculty advocacy, recruiting, retention, development, shared governance, and by being effective and efficient. I will pursue my vision with emphasis on integrity, quality, transparency, fairness, accountability, and a strong commitment to the citizenry of the state of Texas and to the principles of the land grant mission."
Dr. Anand is well known throughout the university and held in high esteem as a fair, diplomatic and trustworthy leader. He is the ideal candidate to serve in this important position. Please join me in congratulating Dr. Anand upon his selection to serve in this new role.
M. Katherine Banks