As President of Tarleton State University, Dr. James Hurley is taking the university forward in new ways.
Unanimously elected president in 2019 by the Texas A&M System Board of Regents, Dr. Hurley, a visionary leader in higher education, has already implemented several reforms as part of the plan’s strategy to become the nation’s premier public university. The plan is called Tarleton Forward 2030: Our Plan for the Future.
Tarleton Forward focuses on student success by giving all students the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to lead and stand by them from the moment they apply through the decades after graduation. There are 15,000 students spread across five campuses in Texas.
Dr. Hurley is driving unprecedented growth at Tarleton. Under his leadership, the university has seen a 25% increase in enrollment, making it one of the fastest growing universities in the US.
In addition, Dr. Hurley, the university’s 16th president, launched the largest comprehensive capital campaign in Tarleton’s history, raising nearly $150 million to celebrate its 125th anniversary, and smashing a goal of $100 million by 2022 — two years early established.
During his tenure, Tarleton State has raised its profile in academics, research, enrollment, retention and graduation rates, fundraising, athletics and regional involvement. Money magazine named Tarleton one of the “Best Colleges in America” ​​in 2024.
The efforts of Dr. Hurley’s continuing research and innovation efforts have increased research
costs by 67%, helping to earn Tarleton State a Ph.D
Universities: Higher Research Activity by Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher
Education. This places the university among only 133 in the country to be ranked as top
research institutes.
He initiated and received funding to launch several major research projects
programs, including the President’s Distinguished Research Scholars (PERS) and the Center for Rural Economic Development and Research.
Tarleton State now operates as an EDA University Center, the only one in the region and one of 73 nationwide. In an effort to bring new collaborations and more research dollars to Texas, the state-of-the-art Research and Economic Development Building opened in 2024.
With a dramatic increase in the number of students, the university continued to build again
to develop its infrastructure under Dr. Hurley. In early 2024, Tarleton State started on the ground
the $80 million Health Professions Building to help meet the need for health professionals. A
A $110 million Event Center is under construction, the venue will host the NCAA Division I
basketball and provide space for educational meetings, lectures, conferences, and
agreements
Tarleton State has more than $500 million invested in active construction and design.
In 2024, Dr. Hurley received the United States Congressional Patriot Award
Congressman Pat Fallon for his positive contributions to society through higher education
leadership. In 2023, Fort Worth, Inc. magazine. honored him as one of the 400 most influential people.
North Texas. In 2022, the North Texas Commission honored him with its own honor
Educational Leadership Award, recognizing his lasting impact on the district.
Invitation in 2022 to join the Association of Public & Land-grant Universities
It reflects Hurley’s commitment to fundamentals, access to education and students
success. APLU membership underscores Tarleton State’s place among top academics
centers in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Planting Dr. Hurley’s broad and deep connections led to a student body
representing 230 Texas counties, 48 ​​states, and 48 states. Working with
State High School Honorary Fellows and two-year College Honorary Fellows
strengthen the university’s commitment to educational achievement and access, giving
guaranteed scholarships for qualified students. In addition, the newly introduced Tarleton
Today, the dual enrollment program, allows students to earn college credit while in high school. The program currently has 2,500 students enrolled.
Additionally, his Tarleton Promise scholarship provides tuition, fees, room and board, and books
for students using federal and state financial aid. He is leading efforts to address this
The state’s growing education and workforce needs by serving on several governing boards
related to access to higher education, economic development, and public policy.
Dr. Hurley currently serves on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on
Colleges (SACSCOC) Board of Trustees, which is the body that authorizes the granting of higher degrees
Education in the Southern United States, as Treasurer of the Community Council
University Presidents and Chancellors (CPUPC), Chair of the WAC Board of Presidents, and more
the North Texas Commission Executive Board of Directors.
In 2019, he advanced to Tarleton State and NCAA Division I Western Athletic
The conference. He was instrumental in expanding the league and bringing the championship
football back in the WAC. Academically during the four-year reorganization, the Texans
set records in the NCAA Academic Progress Rate at a reclassified institution, highlighted by
sending 990 (out of 1,000) in the first year. Competitively, the Texans excelled at
at the national level, capturing multiple regular season and postseason championships.
Dr. James Hurley is committed to academic achievement, student success, and community involvement, positioning Tarleton State University as a rising star in higher education.
A nationally recognized founder and educational leader, Dr. Hurley has been an inventor
lecturer, professor, dean and vice president. Before coming to Tarleton, he served as President of Tusculum University. Under his leadership, TU added the University Health Center, College Le
Niswonger College of Health Sciences and Optometry. It is this broad academic experience that has uniquely prepared him to lead a rapidly growing public university.
He is a first-generation college student, the grandson of coal miners and the son of
his parents taught him that education holds the key to a bright future. This is
the inspiration behind his lifelong advocacy in promoting higher education opportunities and
supports access for all students.
He has a doctorate from Morehead State University, a master’s degree from Indiana
University and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Pikeville. He finished the Institute
in Presidential Leadership from Harvard University and earned a certificate in higher education
in management from Vanderbilt University.
Dr. Hurley, of Tarleton State University, and a clear vision of the future are the characteristics of higher education that mean success.
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