The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has named Dr. Christopher Maynard the sole finalist for the presidency of Texas A&M International University in Laredo (TAMIU). The decision follows a national search and positions Maynard to lead the institution after the required 21-day waiting period under Texas law.
Board Chairman Robert L. Albritton said Maynard’s leadership record made him the clear choice. “Dr. Maynard is an accomplished academic leader with a strong record of elevating student success, growing research and forging partnerships that open doors for students,” Albritton said. “TAMIU plays a vital role in South Texas and along the border, and we believe he is the right person to lead the university into its next chapter.”
Chancellor Glenn Hegar echoed the board’s support, citing Maynard’s experience aligning programs with workforce needs and expanding access to higher education. He also recognized the work of the search advisory committee and Interim President Juan Castillo for guiding the university during the transition.
Maynard, currently senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Houston–Clear Lake, said he looks forward to joining TAMIU. “The education provided by TAMIU has the power to transform the lives of students, their families, and the entire region,” Maynard said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with our campus and community partners as we embrace opportunities and move forward together.”
At UH–Clear Lake, Maynard oversaw accreditation reaffirmation, helped more than double sponsored-research funding, and advanced partnerships such as the Houston Spaceport Consortium for Research, Education and Workforce. His career includes senior leadership positions at Sam Houston State University and faculty and administrative roles at the University of North Alabama. He is a past president of the Texas Council of Chief Academic Officers.
Maynard holds a Ph.D. in U.S. political and diplomatic history and an M.A. from Louisiana State University, along with a B.A. from Lee University. His scholarship includes the book Out of the Shadow: George H.W. Bush and the End of the Cold War, published by Texas A&M University Press.
The board’s vote sets the stage for Maynard to formally take office after the state’s statutory review period, marking a new phase for TAMIU as it strengthens its role in South Texas and along the U.S.–Mexico border.
