Texas A&M University-Texarkana Announces Three Appointments
Texas A&M University-Texarkana is pleased to announce appointments to three positions at the university.
Dean of the College of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Donald R. Peterson, Ph.D., has been appointed to the position of Dean of the College of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics. Dr. Peterson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, in addition to a Bachelor of Science in Biomechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA. In 1995 he earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Connecticut (UCONN) and earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering in 1999 from UCONN. Upon receiving his doctorate in biomedical engineering, Dr. Peterson became a faculty member at UCONN. In 2013, Dr. Peterson was appointed as the Interim Head of the Biomedical Engineering Department, Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center. His duties included serving as the Center’s first Head for the newly established, cross-campus Biomedical Engineering Department in Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine. Dr. Peterson has an extensive background in Bio Engineering and his newly appointed duties at A&M-Texarkana will include the leadership and management in the delivery of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), as well as the nursing program. Additional responsibilities will include the supervision of faculty and support staff. Dr. Peterson will report to the Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs Dr. Rosanne Stripling. Dr. Stripling is looking forward to the arrival of Dr. Peterson. “Dr. Peterson’s successful experience in working collaboratively with private business and industry stakeholders, as well as his knowledge and expertise in the ABET accreditation process, position him well to assume the STEM College leadership role at A&M-Texarkana,” said Dr. Stripling. “He has great ideas about how we can integrate disciplines within the STEM College to create new degrees and degree concentrations that will address the STEM-related work-force demands of the future – exactly what we need as we continue our academic vision and master planning this fall.” Dr. Peterson is looking forward to his new position at the university. “It is with great honor and privilege that I join the team of faculty and staff at A&M-Texarkana as we work together to build and shape an academic unit that is central to the university’s vision and mission and critical to the College of STEM and Nursing’s development,” said Dr. Peterson. “I am looking forward to embracing university-wide innovation and excellence in education, research and community engagement and leadership and fostering a rewarding and collaborative environment that will make a positive difference towards the success of students, faculty and staff.”
Associate Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Director of Nursing
Kathleen Missildine, Ph.D., RN, has been selected as the Associate Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Director of Nursing. Dr. Missildine is a Registered Nurse and she obtained an associate degree in nursing from Texarkana College in 1970. She went on to earn Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northwestern State University in Shreveport, LA. in 1976. She continued her education and received a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1979. In 2008, Dr. Missildine was awarded a Doctor in Philosophy in Nursing from the University of Texas at Houston. Prior to being appointed to her new position at A&M-Texarkana, Dr. Missildine was an associate professor and assistant dean of Graduate Studies at the Texas A&M Health Science Center in Bryan, TX. She has additional collegiate experience in nursing from San Jacinto College in Deer Park, TX and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She was an instructor in the ADN program at Texarkana College from 1976-1992 and worked in several nursing capacities locally at Wadley Regional Medical Center and Christus St. Michael Health System. Dr. Missildine will be charged with the delivery of educational programs within the nursing department at A&M-Texarkana including the supervision of faculty and support staff. She will also assist the college dean in designated college initiatives. A&M-Texarkana Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Rosanne Stripling welcomes Dr. Missildine back to the community. “As a former resident of Texarkana, Dr. Missildine comes to her new position at the university with well-established professional associations in our medical community – so critical to establishing strong clinical sites as well as aligning our nursing education curriculum with the skills and knowledge needed for success on the job,” said Dr. Stripling. “Dr. Missildine’s approach to teaching and learning is research-based and her use of “High-Impact” teaching strategies to engage students in the learning process, that, in turn, create higher levels of learning. I like that!” Dr. Missildine is looking forward to returning to Texarkana. “I’m excited to return to the East Texas area to be a part of the future of Texas A&M-Texarkana. I look forward to growing the nursing education program by developing partnerships in the community with a goal of deliver the highest quality nursing education and to graduate nurses who assume beginning nursing positions and leadership positions in our community,” said Dr. Missildine.
Associate Provost
Nancy Jordan, Ph.D. has accepted the new position of Associate Provost. The purpose of the position is to provide assistance and support to the office of the Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs. Assigned duties include special projects assigned by the Provost and to provide day-to-day leadership and management to regional accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, international student and faculty studies; academic assessment; faculty professional development, student honors program and monitoring of degree programs at the university. Dr. Jordan holds a Doctor of Philosophy in English from Texas A&M University and a Master of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Dr. Jordan comes to A&M-Texarkana from Abilene Christian University, where she began her career in higher education in 1990 as a Professor of English. She went on to hold several key positions in administration at ACU, with the most recent position as Assistant Provost for General Education. “I’m excited about the opportunities to serve at Texas A&M University-Texarkana,” said Dr. Jordan. Like many of the students at TAMUT, I was a first-generation college student and I personally benefitted from the transformative power of a college education.” Provost Stripling is looking forward to working with Dr. Jordan. “I’m really excited about having Dr. Jordan join the Provost’s Office! Although her first major assignment will be to pick-up the lead in our regional accreditation reaffirmation process, she has the experience and confidence to oversee her other duties quite well,” said Dr. Stripling.
