M. Dee Childs, who has more than 25 years of computer and related experience in higher education and the private sector, has been selected from a pool of over 300 candidates to the newly created position of vice president for information technology and chief information officer at Texas A&M University.
Her appointment, effective Sept. 1, was announced today (Aug. 5) by University President Michael K. Young following confirmation of the appointment by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. She will report directly to President Young.
Ms. Childs currently serves as associate provost and chief information officer at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
“Information technology is increasingly critical as we expand and enhance our teaching, research and related programs, so it is essential that we have someone of the high caliber of Ms. Childs to provide leadership in this area as we move forward,” President Young said. “She emerged in a national search as the ideal person to get us—and keep us—in the vanguard of this ever-evolving field and to adapt and incorporate new innovations that meet our rapidly changing and demanding needs.”
Childs has headed Alabama-Huntsville’s information technology operations since 2012 and previously served at LSU for six years with her duties there being deputy chief information officer, executive director for user support and executive director for high-performance computing. Earlier in her career, she served as an adjunct faculty member at Indiana University and held several staff positions there.
Prior to starting her career in higher education, Childs served as a software engineer at Data Solutions, part of Cook Group, Inc., a multi-billion-dollar global company that specializes in biomedical research and product development in minimally invasive medical device technology and imaging.
She attended Harlaxton College in England and holds B.A. and M.P.A degrees from Indiana University.
“I’m honored and excited to have this opportunity to join Texas A&M University in this newly created position and look forward to working with President Young and other members in the administration, as well as with faculty and staff—and, I hope, students,” Childs said. “I greatly appreciate the confidence expressed in me by appointment to this key position at the university and I will strive tirelessly to live up everyone’s high expectations.”
Dr. Michael Benedik, Texas A&M’s vice provost who chaired the search committee for the new position, said Childs was the group’s choice after reviewing scores of applications.
“I am very pleased that Ms. Childs has agreed to join Texas A&M,” Benedik said. “She is an outstanding IT professional and was selected from a large number of remarkable applicants. I am certain that her vision, her energy and her deep understanding of the important role IT plays in higher education will ensure that Texas A&M continues to be recognized as a world leader in IT, in research and the success of our students.”
Scott Honea has served on an interim basis while the national search process was conducted and will now return to a permanent position within the division.
“We are most grateful to Mr. Honea for his dedicated service during this transition period and, I am confident he will be invaluable to Ms. Child as she settles into her new leadership responsibilities,” President Young said.
Lane Stephenson, News & Information Services, at (979) 845-4662 or l-stephenson@tamu.edu
