Douglas Palmer Named Interim Head Of Galveston Campus

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.