Nigliazzo Confirmed As Inaugural President Of Texas A&M University-Central Texas

Marc A. Nigliazzo was appointed inaugural president of Texas A&M University–Central Texas today during a special telephonic meeting of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. Nigliazzo had been named the sole finalist in a nationwide search for the university’s first president last month and his unanimous confirmation follows a 21-day, state-mandated waiting period.

Nigliazzo, 65, brings a wide range of administrative and academic experience to A&M-Central Texas, as well as a Texas background that began in his birthplace of Hearne. He has served as president of Temple College and Galveston College, and chair of the department of English at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, among other positions. He obtained his B.A. in English at the The University of Texas at Austin, his M.A. in English at Texas A&M University and his Ph.D. in English at The University of New Mexico.

“As the first president of A&M-Central Texas, Dr. Nigliazzo will play a key role in shaping the direction of this important new university in the A&M System,” said Morris E. Foster, chairman of the Board of Regents. “Under his leadership, there will be a tremendous expansion of educational opportunities for Fort Hood and the Central Texas region.”

Nigliazzo, who has served as president of Arizona Western since 2009, was chosen following an extensive presidential search conducted by the A&M System and a committee composed of educators and stakeholders from the A&M-Central Texas campus.

“Marc Nigliazzo brings exactly the kind of experience and background that we were seeking as we watched the steady evolution of the Killeen campus from a system center under the guidance of Tarleton State University to its stand-alone status today,” said Michael D. McKinney, M.D., chancellor of the A&M System. “All of us in the system expect great things from Dr. Nigliazzo and are fully confident that he will not only meet those expectations, but exceed them.”

A&M-Central Texas became a stand-alone university in the A&M System on May 27, 2009. It was established in 1999 as Tarleton State University System Center-Central Texas, and rapidly grew in its mission to provide higher education opportunities to the rapidly expanding Central Texas region. Classes are offered at several sites, and a new campus will be located on 662 acres adjacent to Fort Hood that were transferred from the Department of the Army in 2009. Construction on the first building is scheduled to begin this fall.

The current enrollment of 2,553 students includes about 30 percent who are members of the military or spouses of active duty soldiers, primarily at Fort Hood. The upper-level institution offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees and has articulation agreements with Central Texas College, Temple College and other community colleges, enabling smooth transitions for transfer students. A&M-Central Texas also is a member of GoArmyEd, a virtual gateway for soldiers on active duty to request tuition assistance and education guidance online.

Nigliazzo’s academic interests have focused on learning and literacy, and his experience includes considerable professional service as well. He is a member of the Arizona Community College Council, the Arizona Productivity Improvement Initiative and has served on the Advisory Committee on the Texas Success Initiative, the Tarleton State University Presidential Advisory Council, the Advisory Committee to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on the Associate of Arts in Teaching, and the Council on Women in Higher Education.

Nigliazzo was awarded the Leopard Pride Award for his work with the Temple College Athletic Program and was named Hispanic Educator Star Achiever for encouraging excellence and diversity in the classroom. The Temple College Board of Trustees named the Marc A. Nigliazzo Administration Building in his honor for his leadership.

“I am more than a little overwhelmed to have been confirmed by the Board of Regents as this new university’s inaugural president. I could never have imagined such an attractive opportunity—to return home to Central Texas and to help build a dynamic new institution. A&M-Central Texas has unlimited promise and will become a catalyst for partnerships that will not only grow the institution, but will have dramatic impact upon the development of the region.”