COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Dr. Robert Kirby has been appointed interim president of Texas A&M University Central Texas today by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. Kirby will serve as interim while a full search continues for the permanent president of the university.

“Dr. Kirby brings with him a wealth of experience not only in higher education, but in the A&M System as well,” said Morris E. Foster, chairman of the Board of Regents. “I know Dr. Kirby will be an able leader while we execute a national search for a permanent president for the university.”

Kirby retired from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2000, after more than 30 years. He started as a faculty member in 1971 in the College of Business Administration, when the university was known as Texas A&I University. He earned tenure in 1975 and was promoted to full professor in 1981.

From there, Kirby served in a variety positions, including dean of the College of Business Administration, provost and vice president for academic affairs and special assistant to the president. After he retired, Kirby took on numerous academic roles within the A&M System including special advisor to the president at Texas A&MKingsville; interim provost at West Texas A&M University; and interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.

As provost of Texas A&M-Kingsville, Kirby authored the proposal to open a system center in San Antonio in 2000, giving the A&M System a presence in the city. The system center became an independent university in 2009, and is known as Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

As dean of the College of Business Administration at Texas A&M-Kingsville, Kirby developed and implemented an “Outcomes Assessment Program” and implemented an academic reorganization of the College of Business Administration. As provost, he implemented 10 new academic programs across the university, including eight undergraduate and graduate programs, and two doctoral programs.

“Dr. Kirby has been a great asset to the A&M System,” said Chancellor Michael D. McKinney. “He has done an outstanding job throughout a distinguished career. I know he will do a great job at A&M-Central Texas while we look for a president.”

Kirby earned a Bachelor of Science degree in general business from East Texas Baptist College, a Master of Science in finance/economics from Texas A&I and a Doctor of Business Administration from Texas Tech University.

The A&M System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a budget of $3.2 billion. Through a statewide network of 11 universities, seven state agencies and a comprehensive health science center, the A&M System educates more than 115,000 students and makes more than 15 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each year. Externally funded research expenditures exceed more than $676 million and help drive the state’s economy.