James M. Palmer, Ph.D.
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 17, 2023) – Upon announcing Dr. Palmer as Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, the immediate past president, Ruth J. Simmons, shared that “Dr. James Palmer has made an enormously important contribution in addressing needs in Academic and Faculty Affairs.” She noted that James had led the effort to secure funding for additional faculty support; the Mellon grant of $1,000,000 resulted from that effort. In addition, he organized a reduction in faculty teaching loads, addressed numerous salary inequities, raised the increase in salary for promotion and tenure substantially, addressed faculty staffing shortfalls in critical fields, and pushed for an increase in the number of tenure track positions across the university. He recruited deans and supported the effort to address concerns and strengthen the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education at the time.
Over the last three years, James has continued that trajectory. Under his leadership, he has led the University’s SACSCOC decennial reaffirmation of accreditation efforts resulting in no recommendations, the Covid-19 Taskforce, the Strategic Planning Advisory Council tasked with establishing a 2023-2028 draft plan, and efforts to establish PV’s Wellness in Houston. Further, James worked strategically with others to earn Carnegie R2 classification after allocating additional support for doctoral students. He oversaw the process for new certificates and eight new degree programs ranging from undergraduate to doctoral and modernized the tenure and promotion process by replacing legacy systems, ensuring a career ladder was in place for non-tenure track faculty as well. James has advanced many partnerships, including an ongoing relationship with the National Humanities Center (NHC). Most recently, he oversaw the process of establishing a new School of Public and Allied Health. In student support, he has worked collaboratively to implement a course-sharing platform, Open Education Resources (OER) initiatives to reduce student debt, mini-mesters to advance student degree progress, and the move to the Texas Common Numbering System (TCCNS) for all courses. He also carefully oversaw the move to more hybrid and online course options. Through these combined efforts, PVAMU has seen increased retention and graduation rates over the last five years.
Having worked with him closely for over fifteen years, it is with mixed emotions that I share this notice. James has informed me that he and his family will return to South Texas to take on new endeavors. Following a national search, James will assume the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs position at Texas A&M University-Kingsville on July 10, 2023.
Please join me in thanking James for over two decades of service as a faculty member, department head, dean and director, associate provost, provost, and as vice president. Dr. Palmer will be greatly missed. Remaining through June, he will help with the transition in leadership over Academic Affairs. We wish him well as he takes on his new role.
-Michael L. McFrazier, Acting President