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Kent Hance

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Chancellor

Kent Hance

Kent Hance became the third chancellor of the Texas Tech University System on December 1, 2006.

As chancellor, Hance is the chief executive officer of the 12 campuses of Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Angelo State University. He is focusing his energies on continuing the quality growth, enhancing the research in areas of excellence and accentuating the programs and opportunities that prepare students for success in life. Foremost on the agenda is fund-raising for scholarships, professorships and endowments as well as capital contributions. The chancellor also works in Austin and Washington, D.C. to enhance funding for all institutions.

Before becoming chancellor, Hance was a partner in Hance Scarborough Wright, an Austin and Dallas law firm. His firm’s primary focus was on state and federal administrative law, regulatory law and legislative law. In addition, he advised clients in oil, gas and other energy-related matters.

Hance earned a bachelor of business administration degree from Texas Tech University in 1965 and graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1968.  He returned to Lubbock to practice law and teach business law at Texas Tech.  In 1973, he was named an outstanding professor at Texas Tech.

Hance began a career in politics in 1974 when he won a seat in the Texas State Senate.  While in the Senate, he was one of only four members who served jointly on the chamber’s two most powerful committees:  Finance and State Affairs.  Four years later, he won election to the 19th Congressional District.  In 1981, Hance authored and won passage of President Reagan’s tax bill.  While a member of Congress, Hance served on the Ways and Means Committee, the Agriculture Committee and the Science and Technology Committee.  After Congress, Hance won election to the Texas Railroad Commission.

Hance is a native of Dimmitt, Texas.  He and his wife, Susie Hance, also an attorney, have five children and seven grandchildren.

 

Lawrence Schovanec

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Interim President

Lawrence Schovanec

Dr. Lawrence Schovanec, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, was named interim president Aug. 10, 2012.

Schovanec earned his doctorate in mathematics from Indiana University, his master's degree from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Phillips University. Schovanec served as chair of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics for ten years until he was appointed as interim dean of the College of Arts & Sciences in 2008, before being named dean of the college in 2010.

During his tenure as dean, the college has hired more than 70 faculty, including 5 strategic hires, and has experienced significant increases in research funding and student enrollment. He has overseen programs and initiatives to support faculty development, improve advising and increase funds for scholarships. A major initiative of the college has focused on development of alumni relations that has resulted in more than $55 million in gifts to the college since 2008.

Personally, Schovanec has received over $3.2 million in external funding for his research in the fields of biomechanical and physiological control systems and solid mechanics. He has spoken extensively at conferences and other professional venues and is the author of more than 50 scholarly publications. Schovanec has received the President's Excellence in Teaching Award and is a member of the Texas Tech Teaching Academy. In 2011, he was a recipient of the Texas Tech University Inclusive Excellence Award awarded by the Division of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement.

 

Robert Smith

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Provost

Robert Smith

Robert Smith was named provost and senior vice president Jan. 8.

Smith’s appointment will be effective Feb. 1. He comes to Texas Tech from the University of Arkansas where he is provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs emeritus and professor of chemistry. [Extended Biography]

 

 

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Vice President for Research

Taylor Eighmy

Taylor Eighmy has been named vice president for research. His appointment will be effective July 1.

Eighmy comes to Texas Tech from the University of New Hampshire where he is interim vice president for research and director of the strategic initiatives office. His focus has been on expanded research initiatives with the federal government and the private sector, research and development supporting economic development and peer mentoring of faculty around excellence in scholarship. [Extended Biography]

 

Juan Sanchez Munoz

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Vice President of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement

Juan Sanchez Munoz

Juan Sanchez Munoz has been named vice president of institutional diversity, equity and community engagement, a new position created to build upon work already underway at the university.

Munoz joined Texas Tech in 2004. He has served as special assistant to the president for institutional diversity and associate vice provost for faculty affairs. As an associate professor in the department of curriculum & instruction, he also serves as director of the Center for Research in Leadership and Education and program coordinator for bilingual education and diversity studies in the College of Education. Munoz earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a master’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles and his doctoral degree from UCLA. [Extended Biography]

Contact us:
41 Administration Building
15th & Akron | Box 42022 | MS 2022
Lubbock, Texas 79409
806.742.2136 | 806.742.1615 fax

Photos by Artie Limmer