Vice President for Research & Innovation Search

Texas Tech University has launched the search for its next Vice President for Research & Innovation. To help guide this important process, we have engaged SpencerStuart, an executive search firm with expertise in higher education and research leadership.

A dedicated search committee of university leaders, faculty and a member of the Board of Regents will work closely with SpencerStuart to identify candidates who will advance Texas Tech’s research mission and build on our momentum.

Campus Input

Members of the campus community can provide input and nominate candidates for Vice President for Research & Innovation via a survey. Input may be provided anonymously.

SURVEY

Search Committee Members

• Ron Hendrick, Senior Vice President & Provost, Search Chair
• Stephen Bayne, Vice Chancellor for Innovation & Collaboration
• Noel Sloan, Senior Vice President & CFO
• Grace Hernandez, Chief of Staff and Vice President, Office of the President
• Roland Faller, Dean, Whitacre College of Engineering
• Clay Cash, Regent, Texas Tech University System Board of Regents
• Dimitri Pappas, Chair, Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry, College of Arts & Sciences
• Michelle Pantoya, Paul W. Horn Distinguished Professor, J.W. Wright Regents Chair, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Whitacre College of Engineering
• Tosha Dupras, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
• Nikhil Dhurandhar, Paul W. Horn Distinguished Professor, Helen Devitt Jones Endowed Chair, Dept. of Nutritional Sciences, College of Health & Human Sciences
• Noureddine Abidi, Managing Director, Fiber & Biopolymer Research Institute, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources
• Jon McNaughtan, Chair, Dept. of Educational Psychology, Leadership & Counseling, College of Education

Vice President for Research & Innovation Search Timeline

• Mid- September 2025                                  Gather input from key stakeholders & Campus listening sessions
• September                                                            Finalize position description 
• September-October                                      Candidate nomination/application open
• November-December                                  First Round Zoom Interviews
• January-February                                            On-campus Interviews

 

Listening Sessions Completed

Search partners SpencerStuart hosted two faculty listening sessions to hear perspectives on priorities, opportunities and the leadership profile. 

Faculty sessions took place on Sept. 18, 2025, as did the post-doc and graduate student session.