About the President

Dr. Ross Alexander serves as the fifth President of Texas A&M University—Texarkana (TAMUT). He has led unprecedented enrollment growth, establishing TAMUT as one of the fastest-growing universities in the nation. Forging over 150 new corporate and community partnerships, he has aligned A&M-Texarkana’s academic priorities with workforce needs in the region, collaborating directly with major firms and employers, emphasizing “degrees that lead to jobs” primarily in healthcare, engineering, technology, and financial services. Collaborating closely with other key local leaders, Dr. Alexander serves as an officer on the board of the Arkansas-Texas Regional Economic Development Initiative (AR-TEX REDI). Also, during his tenure, the university has added over 12 new intercollegiate athletics teams and commenced the transition to NCAA Division II, with membership in the prestigious Lone Star Conference. Dr. Alexander has achieved unparalleled success in fundraising, including securing several multi-million-dollar gifts for both academic and athletic purposes, including RRCU Stadium, RRCU Athletics Complex, and the James C. Morriss Business, Engineering, and Technology Building, among many others.

Previously, he served for six years as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of North Alabama (UNA), leading the effort to grow enrollment by nearly 75% during his tenure. Prior to UNA, he held numerous leadership positions at Indiana University East (IUE), including Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Before IUE, he was a faculty member and administrator at the University of North Georgia for many years. Dr. Alexander is an award-winning teacher, adviser, and scholar who maintains an active research agenda in the areas of American national government, online education, and organizational leadership.

Dr. Alexander earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from Northern Illinois University; a Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University; and a B.A. from Beloit College, where he was an all-conference football player. He also earned a post-graduate certificate from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Descendent from several generations of northern Wisconsin dairy farmers on his father’s side, and eastern European immigrants on his mother’s side, Dr. Alexander is a proud husband to Lilia and father to Victoria, Madelaine, and Ross Jr. He enjoys reading history (especially the Civil War and WWII), playing golf badly, and advocating for A&M-Texarkana in the community and across the region.

About the First Lady

Lilia Alexander proudly serves as the First Lady of Texas A&M University-Texarkana. She possesses responsibilities in event planning and execution, fundraising and donor engagement, and student advocacy, among many others.

A university faculty member since 2013, Mrs. Alexander is a published expert and innovator in the field of online education. She develops and teaches courses in political science, public policy, and higher education administration, almost exclusively online. She earned both a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) and B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Affairs from the University of North Georgia. Mrs. Alexander is completing her Ph.D. from Indiana University in Higher Education Policy, with a minor in Public Affairs.

Originally from Bulgaria, Mrs. Alexander moved to the United States at age 19 to attend college on a tennis scholarship. She played both #1 singles and doubles at North Georgia and later served as a graduate assistant on the team while earning her master’s degree. Due to her experience, she has a particular passion for supporting international students. Mrs. Alexander is polylingual herself, speaking Bulgarian, English, Russian, and Spanish.

Mrs. Alexander gracefully balances her teaching, University, and parenting responsibilities. She and President Alexander are the proud parents to three children—Victoria, Madelaine and Ross, Jr.. She enjoys travel, baking, and cheering on the Eagles!